The Brisbane Fashion Festival is always fun with a capital ‘F’. Held across one very full week every August, there are events to satisfy the fussiest fashionista from Styling Sessions to high teas, fashion talks, luxe lunches, workshops and everyone’s highlight, the fashion shows. The Brisbane Fashion Festival Fashion Shows began with a bang at the W Brisbane Fashion Show which showcased local labels and stores. She Society were there to share the highlights with you.
The first runway show of the festival was held at the iconic King George Square where a full house gathered on a balmy Brisbane night. Our MC for the evening was Channel 10’s Sarah Harris (The Project) who looked radiant in a soft pink gown from Australian label, Anna Quan. She paired this with gorgeous pink hued jewels from Margot McKinney. Sarah promised us plenty of surprises in this runway show which showcased more than a dozen local retailers and designers.
Festival Director, Lindsay Bennett said, “The Festival exists to promote and celebrate local fashion designers and retailers. We are dedicated to shining a spotlight on Brisbane, Queensland and Australia’s fashion industry, and the many talented designers and retail curators who bring such colour, creativity and originality.”
Supported by the Brisbane Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, Nina Schrinner, Ambassador of the Brisbane Fashion Festival this year’s program is “expected to welcome more than 4000 attendees, providing a $5 million boost to our local economy and helping to create local jobs. The flow on impact from these major events is undeniable.”
The first look was the re-imagined Driza-Bone which was more colourful and softer than ever before. With a 124-year history of being worn by everyone from Prime Ministers to Olympians, this Aussie icon is very much alive and well. Modelled by our fabulous Queensland Olympic swimmers it was a moment I’ll never forget.
A stunning and happy Shayna Jack led the way followed by the likes of Mitch Larkin, Elijah Whittington and Jack Cartwright, with a total of ten of our best loved swimmers proudly gracing the catwalk alongside Australia’s top models. The colours and fits of the designs were spectacular with the gold Driza – Bones with Australian themed lining paired with the gold Rossi Boots a crowd favourite.
I loved the leisurewear and swimwear styles from Aur Ocea (the new home of Sunsoaked Swimwear). In neutral, pink and soft florals these designs are perfect for our Queensland summer. Their maxi dresses and zipped one pieces really caught my eye and I’ll definitely be adding some to my holiday collection.
There were more surprises from Kristian Williams The Brand with some of his colourful pieces modelled by Channel 10’s Julia Morris (I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here). These fabulous and playful kaftans, sundresses and sets will be perfect for your next Noosa or Palm Beach holiday.
Une Piece is a personal favourite of mine with supportive and pretty swimwear and leisure pieces in a range of colours and patterns to suit every figure and style. I may already own the brown polka dot set ready for my next holiday. The models looked comfortable and cool flouncing down the runway in these easy to wear pieces.
Edward Street Brisbane showcased looks for the gents with looks from Montblanc Brisbane, M.J. Bale and Mitchell Ogilvie. Blazers and vests in softer hues looked smart as did denim and neutral combinations. Patterned polos with tailored shorts and chinos showed us an elevated Queensland casual style.
Local favourite Paddington boutique, Miss Henry, always has the looks we covet and need in our wardrobe and Nicole’s signature blazer, cami, jeans and hats featured strongly as did covetable frocks and co-ord sets perfect for your next lady’s lunch. Cool dresses for evening showed creative looks paired with statement handbags.
Silk Laundry slinked along the catwalk in all its draped gloriousness. This label shared fluid pants, slinky silk slips and suits for an effortless elegance which screamed luxe. What woman doesn’t love slipping this cool and breathable fabric on her body?
Wintergarden is home to some fabulous fashion including Sheike, Cue, Seed Heritage and Peter Jackson and they showed a diverse range of head to toe looks. I loved the colourful and cool sets and the slinky silk dress in olive green.
Camargue is home of your fashion forward designer garments as well as something a little different for every day. I’ll just have one of everything on the runway, please! Camargue is one of Australia’s longest standing, luxury multi – brand stores and it always has a curated edit from well known brands like Dries Van Noten, Simone Rocha and Ganni.
Sass & Bide had some fab looks in the colours of the season, brown and rust. A sequin stripe black suit caught my eye as did a silver off the shoulder blouse. The show stopping red gown would be perfect to make a statement at your next event.
Elegance is in every molecule of the Perri Cutten range, and I loved every piece in this collection for myself. With delightful maxi dresses, well cut suits in beautiful colours and feminine blouses you are ready for any occasion. The silver leather pencil skirt was a statement, and the blue sequin dress or pink structured dress will have you event ready, whether it be Opening Night at the theatre or Melbourne Cup Day.
Queens Plaza is home to David Jones, Oroton and Sacha Drake and these labels showed off their signatures for the season. Black and white with embroidery and ribbons were big as were blue hues and gold with pleating.
The excited crowd headed out into the glorious evening to catch fashion friends at the nearby Epicure Fashion Bar or back to the W Hotel to mingle with like minded fashionistas.
This event just keeps getting better every year and if the runway styles were anything to go by Brisbane is in for a delightfully colourful Spring/ Summer. The best thing is you can shop all off the looks from the runway as they are in store now.
On Wednesday is the Hancock Prospecting Show followed by the Designer Group Show on Thursday with Dress to Express Day on Friday and Jean Paul Gaultier’s Fashion Freak Show beginning at South Bank on August 30. If you missed out on tickets, you can always livestream the shows via BFFTV. Brisbane Fashion Festival is a celebration of fashion, diversity, local design and retail and we are turning on the steamy weather to showcase all our fair city has to offer.
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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