An air of excitement and a riot of colour and pattern greeted me, as I walked down the stairs into Carriageworks for Day One of Afterpay Australian Fashion Week. Held in Sydney each May, this is the primary event of the Australian fashion calendar where designers, media, buyers, retailers and influencers mix and mingle to show off and preview all the best in Australian fashion for Spring/ Summer. She Society were again delighted to be invited to this prestigious event so we can inform our readers on the trends and labels we’ll all be wearing as the warmer weather rolls around and resortwear rules the wardrobe.
First to show in their debut at Australian Fashion Week was Sydney – based Resortwear label – ALEMAIS. Despite the label being only three years old they have a huge following with their customers. Many in the crowd were sporting their very favourite Alemais designs. The label were showing the 2024 Resort Collection. This colourful and powerful collection included pattern, stars, ruffles, fringing, flowing capes and matching sets. Combinations of red and different greens, citrus, pink, sheer and sequins were a feature.The models strutted like peacocks to the upbeat tunes and the crowd lapped up this journey through the decades.
Spotted at the show were Kate Waterhouse in a stunning fuchsia pink maxi with flowing sleeves, model Samantha Harris wore white and Brisbane’s stylish Nicole from Paddington boutique Miss Henry wore a pretty blue and floral matching set. Stylist Donny Galella showed us all how to do tonal colour and top fashion journalists Damien Woolnough and Glynis Traill – Nash, in green and blue floral, were on hand to share their take on the show.
It was such a change soon after, seeing the arrivals for ST. AGNI who were wearing shades of black, white and nude in classic silhouettes. Designers Lara and Matt Fells started the label ST. AGNI from their home in Byron Bay. Vintage inspired with touches of modern minimalism is their signature, with the designers devoted to creating products that will stand the test of time.
Today their runway was a white and lit square to show off the design elements. This was Resortwear for after dark with refined tailoring and a masculine edge sharing a minimalist 1990’s flavour. It was characterised by clean lines and raw edges.I loved the white cape suit, leather, waistcoats and sheers. This collection will appeal to a wide audience with pieces you will covet forever.
Offsite today was the Bondi Born show and in the evening Michael Lo Sordo, who ramps it up with two runway shows back to back at Carriageworks. This year the pulse feels electric with more installations, inclusive talks and a range of debut shows. Afterpay Australian Fashion Week runs from May 15 to 19 . She Society will be here all week to give you your daily fashion fix.
Michelle Beesley is a Brisbane born and bred former primary school teacher. A wife, proud grandma and mother of three grown sons, Michelle is thrilled to have recently published her debut contemporary romance novel, It Happened in Paris, with Serenade Publishing. Her novella – Escape to D’ Amour was published in 2019. Michelle’s work can be found in the anthologies – Destination Romance and Short & Sweet. When not reading or writing Michelle can be found at a coffee shop chatting with friends, front row at a fashion show, or beside a rugby union field cheering on her favourite teams.
Michelle is a reluctant traveller, Francophile, keen walker and avid yoga enthusiast plus a book, film and theatre lover who loves everything pink and sparkly (including champagne). You can find Michelle on instagram @michellebeesley_writer and her website: michellebeesley.com.
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