Now in its 16th year Brisbane Fashion Festival continues to drive fashion retail for Brisbane. I always look forward to Queensland’s largest and most prestigious fashion event each August. One of my favourite parts of any fashion week I attend is the Next Gen Show, which shows off our latest new talent and designers to watch for in the future.
This year the Hancock Prospecting Next Gen Group Show shared the work of designers including Rachel Burke, TAFE Queensland Brisbane, JOTEO, KG BOLD, QUT Fashion, Mannzilo, Practice Studio, YLD Design, Fashion 360, Balaquin, Analia the Label, Desert Lily Vintage. and KAMARA Australia. These unique designers show the way forward and embrace diversity, sustainability and inclusivity.
Eat your heart out Harry Styles! Brisbane fashionistas received the first taste of the playful new designs from Rachel Burke. You might remember Harry wearing one of Rachel’s tinsel designs as his birthday suit on the Love on Tour concert series. Brisbane’s Rachel has gained quite a following with celebrities from Harry to Grammy nominee Alisha Gaddis to our own, Anna McGahan, wearing one of her latest designs to the Logies.
Rachel Burke’s tinsel, tulle, colourful and bespoke designs lit up the catwalk to open the show. Think flowers, tinsel and ruffles, Rachel’s designs are pure joy. She creates works of art often using vintage clothes or dead stock fabrics in unique ways. Follow Rachel on her lovely account @imakestagram to add a pop of fun to your feed.
The pretty Desert Lily Vintage brought a romantic take to the catwalk with dreamy florals and very wearable well-designed dresses and separates. One of our favourites of the night and a new label we’ll be looking to own ourselves. The much talked about JOTEO impressed with his eye for design and emphasis on structural elements. These thoughtful pieces were classy designs for the modern woman.
Mannzilo impressed me with their bespoke suiting. Pieces were so well cut and tailored. We loved the playful sequin, orange and floral pieces alongside the more traditional but masculine designs. One to watch out for!
Balaquin shared its slow and sustainable designs through pretty co- ords and feminine dresses. Loved them. YLD designs brought the sizzle and glamour with their goddess like dresses.
My friends and I are always looking for sun safe swimwear and KAMARA Swimwear fits the bill. Inspired by the designers own Melanoma journey, this environmentally friendly and sun safe brand is a First Nation’s Label. Its eye-catching styles ensure you can enjoy the Australian summer in style wearing sun friendly designs. Features of KAMARA swimwear were their bold prints and colour ways which use rich, protective fabrics.
Analia the Label is a story made from darkness, by a determined woman’s cancer journey resulting in a brand that speaks of joy and hope and is the founders love letter to survival. Debuting here at the Brisbane Fashion Festival this contemporary women’s ready to wear brand introduced us to a range of pretty floral dresses and stunning separates. I’m lusting over the beautifully intricate Charlotte Maxi Dress with a wildflower print which was inspired by pink champagne and English gardens. These designs are ones that will make you feel beautiful at any age.
Students from KG Bold, TAFE Queensland Brisbane and the breeding ground of some of our best designers, QUT Fashion showed each of their unique styles and cutting-edge design. The catwalks showed off diversity, inclusivity and sustainability with a range of designs from playful to structured. The future of Australian fashion looks bright.
Collaboration is key for many fashion brands.Practice Studio helps people reconnect with the value of thoughtfully made garments. Their catwalk featured work from many emerging designers who are creating season-less collections and limited-edition pieces.The artisans at Fashion 360 shared pieces from a community of fashion creatives who hope to develop industry awareness.
In showcasing the brightest up – and – coming design talent the Hancock Prospecting Show, sponsored by Gina Rinehart, celebrated the creativity, original aesthetics and pure design talent from emerging fashion labels and design graduates. It was a privilege to see the new and unique talent of the future in such a supportive atmosphere.
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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