Intended to be the major ready-to-wear parade at Perth Fashion Festival, the revamped WA Designer Showcase presented spring/summer collections from six established labels, and 10 up-and-coming designers labelled the “New Generation”.
Besides gaining a bit of publicity by showing their wares, the New Generation crew had another reason to be there – one label would be chosen to appear in a coveted slot at next year’s L’Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival. A seemingly difficult decision awaited the judges, which included fashion editors from The West Australian and Perth Vita, PFF Ambassador Anne-Marie Carpenter, and LMFF coordinator Kirsty McBeth.
Unfortunately, the quality and originality from some of the young designers weren’t up to expectations. While not wanting to crush dreams, many of the labels were unable to show never-before-seen creativity that would be able to sustain Perth’s reputation for producing fresh fashion talent.
But there were a few standouts amongst the pack. Previously unheard of label C/H displayed a sweet collection of dresses, each with varying pleating/tucking/ruching quirks, while Bim Kenesis presented a polished display of feminine casual wear. Intriguingly named Smelly Welly certainly had the cutest cuts of the night, and their name made perfect sense when a procession of adorable kids totted down the catwalk in equally adorable outfits.
However, C/H managed to regain the limelight when it was named winner of the LMFF prize – a justified choice in which originality was duly rewarded.
Before the young guns took to the stage, they were given a lesson in what it takes to survive in the industry from labels in the Independent Runway segment. Fremantle-based designers made up half of the running order, with Merge Clothing labels taking up another third.
Katou, a label from the latter, kicked off proceedings with retro-inspired offerings. Details were the key and included quirky duotone prints (such as piano keys and a logo fabric), lace motif necklines and a “Fuck you! It’s Katou” cartoon tee.
The other Merge label, Zanthus, also displayed slogan tees with environmentally friendly messages such as “Save The World” and “Be A Hero”. Nature also played a part in its headwear choices, with layered fabric flowers perched delicately in models’ curled hair, complementing the fresh cotton and silk frocks. These ensembles are sure to be in high demand come Spring Carnival.
Although Fremantle trio Lin Pin, Batchelor and Morrison presented very different looks, the collections possessed the same cruisy, laidback vibe synonymous with the harbourside city’s culture.
Lin Pin did this via Japan, with geisha and ninja references trickling into the range through peony prints, kimono-cut sleeves, and cylindrical accessories that bore a resemblance to Samurai sword sheaths (very Kill Bill). The exaggerated half-masks that partially obscured models’ faces certainly added a unique, if not slight horror-flick touch to the show.
Batchelor opted to keep things simple, letting its metallic fabrics speak for themselves in unfussy, unstructured styles. It was the little touches that added interest to garments: an asymmetric hemline, a surprisingly low back, and a few mother-of-pearl pieces decorating a neckline.
WA Designer of the Year nominee Morrison presented barefoot models in languid shapes and neutral tones. Natural fibres such as stonewashed silk and cotton complimented the easy designs, which included a loose, short-sleeved mini dress, a pintucked, embroidered camisole and slimmed-down pantaloons.
United Constructions closed the segment with pieces from their Rosemount Australian Fashion Week show. Again, slogan tees made an appearance with “Pray, Mr Devil, let us be friends” worn under a sheer-knit orange tank top. Orange featured prominently amongst the mostly black and white line-up, which contained a Halloween-esque witch print among others.
Question of the night: Should we be worried about the future of WA fashion?
Photos from the Runway
