With cold winter days now (almost) behind us, it’s time to look forward to spring. No city heralds this new season with more style than Melbourne, marking the occasion with Melbourne Spring Fashion Week (MSFW). It kicks off tonight, and has a bumper packed program full of fashion and cultural events continuing all week. But how do you separate the couture from the cast-offs? The Two Review have done the hard work for you and reviewed what we think are the festival’s best picks.
Each event is rated out of ‘Anna Wintours’ – the only person worth impressing when it comes to fashion. Notoriously hard to please, one nod from the US Vogue Editor can make or break a designer’s career. While we might be slightly easier to please, if it comes anywhere near the top score of five, you know it’s a must-see.
B: MSFW: Emerging Student Runways
While it’s often front row seats at the designer runway shows that are lusted after, the student runways are where the real excitement and innovation is found. There are two student runways this year: one from RMIT students and the other (for the first time in spring fashion week history!) presented by students from a variety of Melbourne’s fashion schools. They are a great way to see bold and creative fashions from emerging local talent as they reach the end of their four-year degrees. Traditional designer runways can often seem safe, predictable and almost too wearable. While this is
great if you plan on wearing the pieces every day, the drama and theatricality of the clothes are what really makes the experience of attending shows so unique and exciting. We don’t have a couture fashion week here in Australia, so these will provide a rare opportunity to see some experimental fashion. If Eryn Crowl’s sneak peek at the work of participating students is anything to go by, it won’t disappoint.
Verdict: 4.5 Anna Wintours
When?
Student Runway 1: RMIT School of Fashion and Textiles – Sunday 1st September 6:30pm
Student Runway 2: Melbourne Fashion Schools – Sunday 1st September 8:30pm
Where?
Melbourne Town Hall, Swanston St, Melbourne
How much?
$45 floor seating, $35 balcony seating
A: Polaroid Roving Style Snaps:
Everyone loves a good Polaroid shot. It’s a great keepsake, it is instant in its production and photographers are providing free services to everyone with these magical cameras ready to capture some fashion moments. A snap-happy team will roam around each day to catch the best street style on offer. The instantaneous nature of this event is what initially intrigued me, and the classic style of Polaroid photography makes it even better. This street event is a great way to get inspiration, but off the catwalk. If you spot a photographer during MSFW, let them photograph you in your best outfit and enjoy your free Polaroid goodie. Don’t forget to share it on social media with the hashtag #PolaroidMovement.
Verdict: 4.5 Anna Wintours
When?
Monday 2nd September– Sunday 8th September
Where?
City Square, 44-86 Swanston Street, Melbourne
How much?
Free!
B: Miss Fox: Fashion Forward Nail Art Workshop and Makeup Master Class
The world/my Instagram feed has gone crazy for nail art. Matte, neon, cat faces and galaxies – you name it, it’s been done. I can barely paint my non-dominant hand without a nail polish explosion, but that’s where Miss Fox comes in! The Melbourne salon and beauty bar is offering a nail art workshop for just $25 (redeemable on products). During the workshop, you’ll learn 10 nail art ideas, enjoy a cocktail or two AND head home with a goodie bag. Miss Fox is a favourite of many locals and has nail-arted the likes of fashion blogger Lady Melbourne, model Samantha Downie and even rapper MIA when she was in town (they even have a thank you note to prove it). I think this is excellent value for money and a great way to spend an evening in style. The make-up masterclass follows the same template – $25 for professional tips and tricks from celebrity makeup artist Luna Lita, cocktails, personal makeup advice, and most importantly of all, a goodie bag.
Verdict: 4 Anna Wintours
When?
Nail Art Workshop – Tuesday 4th September 6pm – 8pm
Makeup Masterclass – Wednesday 5th September 6pm – 8pm
Where?
Miss Fox Level 1 – 3, 285 Little Collins Street
How much?
$25 each
A: Book Launch – The Fashionable Cocktail:
The two event’s I’ve already reviewed have been free, which is convenient for a student budget. This book launch comes with a price, but I think if you’re in the mood to dress up for a classy night of canapés and cocktails, then the $75 will be money well spent! The Fashionable Cocktail: 200 Fabulous Drinks for the Fashion Set has just been written by Jane Rocca. She gives an insight into the world of cocktails, claiming they are indulgent-rich through preference, style, taste and character. The illustrations in the book are a credit to Australian, Neryl Walker, giving the book beautiful aesthetics. The venue will light up on Tuesday night with delicious Mexican-inspired canapés from Touché Hombre and you’ll also receive two cocktails inspired from the book itself. The night will be hosted by media personality Helen Razer, and a personally signed copy of the book will also be given to each attendee, along with a goodie bag (where you’re definitely getting your money’s worth!). The launch will also include an exclusive viewing of Australian fashion designers Nevenka and Leona Edmiston’s new collections. Bookings are available through [email protected] or by calling (03) 8520 6444. This sounds like an event not to miss where you’ll be treated like royalty for a few hours!
Verdict: 4 Anna Wintours
When?
Tuesday 3rd September, 7pm – 9pm
Where?
Touché Hombre Private Bar, TH2 233 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
How much?
$75
B: MSFW MR
Melbourne Spring Fashion Week has diversified itself this year with the inclusion of MSFW MR, an evening dedicated to men’s fashion and lifestyle. The Thursday evening program promises a night of runways, style workshops, live entertainment, DJ’s and bars open until late. I think it’s great they’re embracing the boys with a night to specifically celebrate the many stylish men of Melbourne, as often these fashion events are heavily female dominated. Because there are a number of events planned for the night, including a showcase of key pieces from spring/summer ’13 collections and interactive workshops, it’s as much for the fashion dabbler as the seriously dedicated fashion followers. Once you’ve seen the collections and listened to some live music, you can head to one (or all) of the many bars for a cold one.
Verdict: 3.5 5 Anna Wintours
When?
Thursday 5th September 6pm – late
Where?
MSFW Hub, City Square
How much?
Free!
A: In Vogue – The Editor’s Eye:
I’m sure everyone would be keen for a break in between the catwalks to get a taste of fashion in a different visual sense. If that’s you, then head to ACMI to check out the latest documentary on US Vogue. The doco is called In Vogue – The Editor’s Eye, giving viewers a taste of the fashion world behind closed doors. This is a difficult thing to review without having watched it, but I have seen other docos on US Vogue such as ‘The September Issue’, which amazed me and gave such an insight into the fashion world. In Vogue – The Editor’s Eye is a doco where current US Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour celebrates the magazines 120th birthday with her colleagues Grace Coddington and Hamish Bowles. It will take you into the magazine’s world of fashion, bringing in the American readership and Wintour’s British heritage to give innovative fashion advice and inspiration. I personally can’t wait to see it! To make a booking, simply click here, or email [email protected].
Verdict: 4 Anna Wintours
When?
Monday 2nd September 2:30-3:30pm, Tuesday 3rd September 5pm – 6pm, Friday 6th September 9pm – 10pm or Saturday 7th September 7:30pm – 8:30pm
Where?
ACMI, Federation Square, Melbourne
How much?
Free!
B: Bonus Pick – Speed Crafting Party: Speed Craft dating
It’s marketed as three hours of knitting, crochet and hand embroidery, where you might find the “craft of your life or the love of your life”. Who can resist an opportunity like that?! Whether it’s full of loveable grandmas and grandpas knitting blankets or hunky hipsters in homemade cardigans I cannot confirm, but please, please someone go and find out for me? BYO Knitting needles and friend for moral support.
Verdict: Not sure how Anna Wintour would feel about this…
When?
Saturday 7 September 1-4pm, 5-8pm
Where?
Lithuanian Club, 45-50 Errol Street, North Melbourne
How much?
$30
This year’s Melbourne Spring Fashion Week really does have an excellent program. We’ve flagged some must-sees outside of the traditional catwalks for you, but do check out what else is on offer – many great events will cost you nothing but time. Now all that’s left to do is the very small, minor, entirely insignificant task of working out what to wear to a gathering of Melbourne’s MOST STYLISH PEOPLE! Our tip? Just ask yourself: what would Anna do?”
(And if that fails, just don the Melbourne uniform – black on black with black.)
Brittany Stewart & Alexandra McManus
