How could I resist when I was asked to attend the Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival #MB FF209 for the closing night with the girls from Sacha Drake. I love supporting Australian Designers, the difficult part is I want to buy all their clothes. I have a number of Sacha’s outfits and still wear them.
Added to this, the setting at Brisbane’s new precinct Howard Smith Wharves was perfect. It is the new place to be, day and night and you can see why.
Fashion labels at the festival’s final
Sacha Drake clothing collection lead the parade with fashions that again tempt many a girls’ wallet. Being that bit older I find Sacha has a youthful design with a tinge of classic that makes many of her styles timeless. My younger friends wear her clothes and in my sixties I still feel comfortable wearing the same outfits as them. I love Sacha’s choice of fabrics, apart from the gorgeous colours and prints, her clothes always feel comfortable against my skin.
The wonderful part of the evening was to see the diversity of style from other designers:
Boom Shankar have a relaxed stylish quality about their look, summery colours and easy to wear fabrics
BlackNBling their clothing is synonymous with their name, shimmering fabrics, colour and diamante masks worn with their diverse styles.
Ella Moda well I think most of us are aware of this brand at some time and their wedding styles and evening designs offered diversity, even with a black wedding dress. Of course I heard someone say “oh here comes the Black Widow” and I have to say she looked stunning.
Bora beautiful styles, for special occasions and particularly for evening
Kortni Portia definite focus on shimmering fabrics in various colours, great variety with their distinct style and material
Naudic love their lean towards a bohemian look which is very in at the moment. Fabulous colours, easy to wear styles and feminine. Perfect for Queensland’s hot summers.
Urbbana Sam Abi the owner has come a long way in his range of men’s clothes including shoes. I attended the opening of his original and first store at Portside Hamilton in 2009. Even then I was impressed with his signature styles that incorporate both Mediterranean and Australian flare. I particularly love how many of his shirts have a different print or colour on the inside of the cuffs and collars. That little added touch makes them look amazing. Sam had a female model wearing a stunning short pants with suit top jacket. His range certainly has expanded.
Aqua Blu Australia was the final parade for the evening and their range of summer, beach clothes was gorgeous. It is wonderful to see attractive beach wear options to protect our skin. I love the colours in their long sleeve sun protective fabrics and the longer flowing dresses. Bikini bottoms were all hip height, there was one style in a G string and it was worn perfectly by a larger sized model.
It was lovely to see the older model represent my age group, I didn’t feel left out. The male range was just as attractive in style and print. Printed fabrics seem to be the fashion with both pastel and bold colours. Great cover up options that I personally prefer now.
After Party at Mr Percival’s
Following the final parade guests strolled down the wooden walkway under a fairy lit Story Bridge to celebrate Sacha Drake’s wonderful week at Mr Percival’s, one of Brisbane’s newest overwater bars.
Sacha lavished us with champers and wines that complimented the best thin based, perfectly topped gourmet pizzas I have tasted in years. The mouth-watering tempura prawns and pizzas were consumed that quickly, I didn’t have time to capture them on my iPhone.
Summary
Colour is a definite for men and women and plenty of it. An incredible range of prints, bolds, and colour combinations with tops, skirts and dresses suitable for all ages. We can step outside of the old norm of what colours ‘should’ be worn together and be brave, but the matches still retain the right look. Bikinis bottoms, hipster style dominated in the two piece arrangements, and cover-up options for our searing sun were fabulous. Really, there is something for everyone.
Men wear is stylish and fun, no excuses they have plenty to play with in suits, shirts and casual wear.
Statement earrings everywhere, the larger the better for this fashion festival. Some styles were big and light with a simple shape and plain shade to blend in with the outfit. Others colourful, sparkly and dangly. Huge diversity in shape, colour, style and weight.
Sponsors, Mercedes Benz motto “See it. Love it. Own it” is justified and I am not only talking about cars.
SheSociety is a site for the women of Australia to share our stories, our experiences, shared learnings and opportunities to connect.
Leave a Reply