Category: LATEST FASHION NEWS

5 Ways Fashion Designers Prep For The Australian Fashion Week

Posted on by Lex A

Australian Fashion Week (AFW) is one of the most anticipated events in the fashion industry in Australia. It’s an excellent opportunity to showcase your brand, connect with other designers, and be seen by buyers, press, and fashion enthusiasts. If you plan on participating in AFW, organizing everything beforehand is essential to ensure a smooth and successful show. This article will discuss preparing for Australian Fashion Week, including preparing your collection, building a team, and promoting your brand.

Prepare your Collection

Preparing your collection is the first step in getting ready for Australian Fashion Week. Your collection should be unique and creative and showcase your signature style. You must have a distinct vision of what you want to showcase and convey through your designs. Below are some handy tips to assist you in preparing your collection:

Research and Inspiration

Research is an essential part of designing a collection. You must be up to speed with the latest fashion trends and understand your target audience’s wants. Spend time browsing fashion magazines, blogs, and social media platforms to gather inspiration for your collection. Create a mood board that reflects your vision and use it as a reference for designing your pieces.

Set a Theme

Once you have gathered inspiration, choose a theme for your collection. Your theme should be consistent throughout your designs and showcase your creativity. Think about the potential story you want to tell with your collection and how you want your designs to make your audience feel.

Create a Cohesive Collection

Your collection should be cohesive and flow together. Each piece should complement each other and create a consistent narrative. Consider using similar colors, fabrics, and patterns to create a coherent look.

Choose the Right Pieces

Choose the right pieces to showcase in your collection. You need a mix of statement pieces and everyday wear that will appeal to buyers and customers. Make sure that your collection is balanced and caters to a variety of tastes.

Build your Team

Preparing for Australian Fashion Week can be overwhelming, so building a team that will support you throughout the process is essential. The following are some tips on building your team:

Hire Professional Models

Professional models can bring your designs to life and give you an idea of how they will look on the runway. Choose models that fit your brand aesthetic and have experience walking the runway.

Hire a Professional Hair and Makeup Team

Your hair and makeup team can make or break your show. Choose a team that understands your vision and can create looks that complement your collection.

Hire a Professional Photographer and Videographer

A professional photographer and videographer can capture your show and create content that you can use to promote your brand. Choose a team with experience shooting fashion shows and understanding how to showcase your designs.

Promote your Brand

Promoting your brand is essential to attract buyers, press, and fashion enthusiasts to your show. Below are some handy tips on how to promote your brand:

Create a Press Kit

Create a press kit that showcases your collection and brand. Your press kit should include high-quality images of your designs, a press release highlighting your brand story and collection, and contact information for interviews and inquiries.

Reach out to Influencers and Bloggers

Influencers and bloggers can help promote your brand and create buzz around your show. Reach out to influencers and bloggers that fit your brand aesthetic and invite them to your show.

Host a Pre-Show Event

Hosting a pre-show event can generate excitement and create a buzz around your brand. Invite buyers, press, and influencers to your event and showcase your designs. Offer refreshments and create an ambiance that reflects your brand aesthetic.

Utilize Social Media

Social media is an incredible tool that can help you promote your brand before, during, and after Australian Fashion Week. Use social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to share sneak peeks of your collection, behind-the-scenes content, and live updates from your show. Use relevant hashtags and tag AFW to increase your visibility and reach.

Follow up with Buyers and Press

After your show, it’s essential to follow up with buyers and the press that attended your show. Send a thank-you email or note and include your press kit and lookbook. Provide information on how to place orders and where to find your collection.

In conclusion, preparing for Australian Fashion Week requires creativity, organization, and hard work. To prepare for AFW, you must prepare your collection, build a team, and promote your brand. Following the tips outlined in this article, you can create a successful show showcasing your unique style and attracting buyers, press, and fashion enthusiasts. Always stay true to your core vision and have fun with the process. Good luck!

5 Fashion Tips to Improve Your Personal Style

Posted on by Lex A

Personal style is a reflection of who we are, and it is essential to feel comfortable and confident in what we wear. Styling is an art that can be learned, and everyone can improve their style by following some simple tips. Below are some styling tips to improve your style:

Define your style

The first step to improving your style is to define your style. Take some time to evaluate your current wardrobe and identify what you like and dislike. Look for patterns in the type of clothing, colours, and styles that you are drawn to, and use this information to define your personal style.

Create a capsule wardrobe

Creating a capsule wardrobe is an excellent way to streamline your wardrobe and simplify your style. A capsule wardrobe consists of a small collection of essential, versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits. Investing in quality basics such as a classic blazer, a pair of well-fitted jeans, and a versatile dress will form the foundation of your capsule wardrobe.

Accessorize

Accessories are an excellent way to add personality and interest to your style. A colourful scarf, a fab necklace, or fabulous earrings can instantly elevate an outfit. Many accessories can look cluttered and overwhelming, so try not to overdo it.

Fit is king

No matter how stylish an outfit may be, it won’t look good if it doesn’t fit well. Make sure you invest in clothing that fits well and flatters the shape of your body. Don’t wear clothes that are too tight or too loose, and only choose pieces that accentuate your best features.

Don’t be afraid to experiment

Personal style is about expressing yourself, so you must be bold enough to experiment with various styles and trends. Try mixing different prints and textures or incorporating unexpected colors into your outfits. You may be surprised at how a bold choice can make you feel more confident and stylish.

Dress for the occasion

It is essential to dress appropriately for the occasion, whether it’s a formal event or a casual outing with friends. Consider the dress code and the venue when selecting your outfit, and ensure you feel comfortable and confident in your attire.

Take care of your clothes

Investing in quality clothing is only half the battle; you must also take care of your clothes to ensure they last. Follow the care instructions on the label, and avoid washing and drying clothes excessively. Additionally, make sure that you store your clothes properly to prevent wrinkles and damage.

In conclusion, improving your personal style is about understanding your style, investing in quality clothing, experimenting with different trends, and dressing appropriately for the occasion.

FOMA 2022: Check Out All The Glitz And Glamour At The Powerhouse Museum

Posted on by Gary A

FOMA 2022 was an event not to miss. Thirty-six cultures were represented, seven exhibitions, eight ambassadors, four foreign government collaborations, six initiatives, two business growth stories, and 41 faces of FOMA.

Set in the Powerhouse Museum – it was a celebration where a live runway show and a fashion experience took place.

Amongst flashing lights, media coverage, and music – several designers and artists participated at FOMA 2022, such as BULUUY MIRRII By Colleen Tighe Johnson, Karis Zanetta The Label By Karis Zanetta Cheng, Fiji Consulate General & Trade Commission (Australia and New Zealand), The Bowerbirds by Sally Jackson, My Paloma by Founder Eliana Gamboa-Chapman, Lena Kasparian The Label by Lena Kasparian, Tatyana Anderson in Collaboration with Wendy Scully Millinery and Vivian Chan Shaw The Label. It was a great night filled with world-class fashion and entertainment.

Check out some of the photos from the event below, courtesy of Victor Hawk.

AACTA Awards 2022: Check Out All The Glitz And Glamour On The Red Carpet

Posted on by Lex A

The red carpet was rolled out in Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion 2 days ago as the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards held its official ceremony for 2022. The cream of the crop in the Australian Entertainment industry attended Australia’s night of nights, as the who’s who of show business gathered to celebrate the best in TV and cinema.

If you want to see all the glitz and glam at the 2022 AACTA Awards then scroll down below.

 

In Photos: Horus by Faten At The 2022 Global Elite Fashion Festival

Posted on by Krissy

Faten Lawn was initially born in Egypt. She was born to a very humble father from a small country town who was a Chef and a mother who was a seamstress; she started working from the age of fourteen to help support her mother, father, and six other siblings. She has a brother who is seven years older than her. They moved to Australia to start a new promising life when she was just five, and she feels very blessed to have been brought up and loved by two very humble parents. Her father taught her to embrace her individuality and encouraged her decisions, especially how she dressed and her personal style. She was lucky to have two talented parents to inspire her, which got her to where she is today as the main designer behind The Cleopatra Collection by Horus.

Faten is currently 45 years old and has three amazing sons whom she’s very proud of – she encourages her sons to explore their own individuality and style. Her purpose in being a part of the fashion industry is to inspire others to think outside the box, embrace their individuality and recognise and embrace their own individual style. To explore different patterns, styles, materials, colours, and textures. Her designs are daring, and that really reflects her personality – she aims to give everyone the confidence to be daring and get comfortable with themselves. She also wants to highlight the talent of people with special needs and disabilities by giving them a platform in the fashion world.

Check out her fabulous collection at the 2022 Global Elite Fashion Festival courtesy of Dave Choo:

Virtual Fashion Try-On Wins Grosvenor Social Shopping Experience Challenge

Posted on by Gary A

Virtual clothing try-on technology, Zyler, has announced their success after applying for the Grosvenor Social Shopping Experience Challenge. International retail development and investment company, Grosvenor, launched a search for new technologies that champion innovation and build a social customer experience. A major aim of the challenge was to drive retail recovery in a post-pandemic world where bricks and mortar stores saw footfall slump. Zyler’s try-on solution impressed the judges and the companies will launch the technology with Grosvenor’s retail tenants.

Zyler’s patented technology brings immersive virtual try-on to fashion brands. The product allows customers to see themselves in any outfit with a head and shoulders photo and basic measurements. For retailers, the try-on experience can be embedded into a website or existing app with only a small snippet of code needed.

Zyler’s CEO Alexander Berend expressed excitement at the win. “We’re thrilled to be working with Grosvenor and their retailers. Zyler is perfect as a sales tool for stylists, allowing shoppers to find the best items for them”.

In terms of the future for Zyler, upcoming in-store trials with well-known luxury retail brands are on the horizon, bringing virtual try-on technology into the mainstream retail space.

This article was sourced from a media release sent by Maria Wainwright @ Zyler

The Best of Miss Earth Australia 2022 Grand Launch and Fashion Show, In Pictures

Posted on by Jenny H

The Miss Earth Australia 2022 Grand Launch and Fashion Show has finally come to a close, and here are some of the most memorable moments from the runway, as captured by George Azmy.

Designers Tommy Ge of Leatheron, Faten Lawn, Lily African Wares, Alies Bol, and Armando Crisostomo were among those who showcased their collections last Saturday. It was definitely a sight to behold!

Scroll through the photos below to see highlights from the Miss Earth Australia 2022 Grand Launch and Fashion Show.

Is It Possible For Virtual Fashion To Break The Harmful Cycle Of Impulse Buying?

Posted on by Krissy

During the pandemic, the fast rise of e-commerce platforms increased unplanned spending and impulse purchases. As virtual clothing gains popularity through apps and video games, people may now gratify the urge to buy new items without straining their finances and with minimal environmental harm.

Internet spending continued to set new highs despite increased unemployment and economic difficulties during the pandemic. For example, the share of retail transactions conducted online in the United Kingdom increased by 16% in February 2021 in a single month.

This contradictory behavior may be attributed to people seeking relief through retail therapy, as the pandemic has reportedly increased feelings of anxiety and sadness in young adults by 30%.

With a recent study reporting that 50% of respondents are interested in purchasing a digital asset in the coming year, online spending habits may change again due to reduced financial and environmental costs.

Digital wardrobes substitute traditional shopping

However, alongside an increase in online shopping, lockdowns also accelerated the rise of digital fashion as people turned to online worlds for interaction with other humans. Mainstream clothing trends are becoming increasingly prevalent in video games and apps —  including big-name designers like Louis Vuitton or Moschino experimenting with digital collections.

Virtual clothing pieces come at a fraction of the financial and environmental cost of physical items, meaning people may still experience the gratification of shopping with minimized harm.

“The biggest difference between video game styling and real-life clothes shopping is longevity. The fashion industry and brick and mortar fashion stores need to constantly push the cycle of styles, whether it is seasonal or fad-related; it is in their best interest to retire an old collection and push new inventory to the shelves,” said Povilas Katkevičius, game designer at Nordcurrent, an international developer and publisher of mobile games.

“Video game styling does not require this. Of course, we need to create new items because novelty is always exciting and interesting, but we do not need to retire our collections. We have endless shelf space in the virtual world in which old and new styles can mix into our players’ creations,” he continued.

Replicating real-life purchases virtually

Apps and video games that present a high level of character customization and can replicate real-life shopping experiences present new opportunities to satisfy the impulsive want to shop in a consequence-free environment.

“Pocket Styler, which allows players to dress their avatar using items from an extensive catalog of designs, can provide players with the satisfaction of purchasing a new item without needing excessive financial means to do so,” P. Katkevičius explained.

“When designing the app, we studied real e-shops to mimic a smooth and recognizable user interface. As such, it contains a wide range of styles, clothing categories, and accessories that can be purchased through the in-game currency. Despite not receiving a physical item from purchases, a lot of the instant gratification for our community comes from the styling itself,” he explained.

About Nordcurrent

Nordcurrent is the biggest Lithuanian video game developer and publisher, known for such games as Cooking Fever,  Murder in the Alps, Airplane Chefs, Sniper Arena. Focusing on freemium and casual games, the company created over 50 games since 2002, attracting more than half-billion players worldwide.

This article was sourced from a media release sent by Lukas Pereckas of blueoceanspr.com

Is There Room for Boutique Fashion Creators In The Metaverse?

Posted on by Gary A

Metaverse has as much to offer to small fashion retailers as it does to big brands, as authenticity — not notability — will be one of the defining factors of success.

The concept of the metaverse is still nascent, however, it harbors immense potential for the fashion industry. Moreover, the freedom and flexibility of WEB3 allow fashion vendors of any size to break into the virtual world and take advantage of its vast opportunities, among which — less market entry barriers for up-and-coming creators and a space fueling creative expression.

Room for all

The world’s largest fashion houses have already started dipping their toes into the uncharted waters of the metaverse. Last year, the Italian fashion house Gucci released a digital-only bag, which was sold for a much higher price than its real-life equivalent. Louis Vuitton, the French luxury brand, has taken one step further by launching an NFT-embedded mobile application “Louis the Game”. This year the brand is investing further, having added new NFTs and quests for players to discover.

However, the prospects of new-age fashion are not reserved only for the ‘best and biggest’. Indrė Viltrakytė, the co-founder of the Rebels, an NFT project seeking to bridge IRL and WEB3 fashion, has emphasized authenticity, a natural fit for decentralized values, and transparency as the defining factors of successful meta-based projects.

“In WEB3, people have the power to decide who is worthy of success. We’ve already seen some big brands’ half-baked projects that flopped, as this community can tell the difference between passion-backed initiatives and the ones that are only seeking profit,” she said. “In this space, money or size is not what leads to success — it’s being raw and authentic. That’s why a small fashion boutique has just as big of a chance to make a statement as the industry’s veterans.”

Easier entry for emerging talents

WEB3 also eliminates certain barriers that may have previously limited up-and-coming fashion industry creatives. According to Viltrakytė, an independent designer or a fashion brand has to produce anywhere from 2 to 16 collections a year, which can be financially challenging for someone that is just starting out.

“The Rebels is a continuation of our IRL fashion house, so we know how tough the entire fashion cycle can be, starting from producing samples to participating in trade shows and marketing to consumers,” she said. “Turning your clothes into NFTs and selling them through blockchain-powered fashion marketplaces is much more accessible and affordable, especially if you are a digitally native brand. Also, an authentic origin story could help emerging talents to establish a strong presence without the need for paid ads.”

She also noted that Gen Z’ers, who are one of the main metaverse audiences’, value originality and sustainability above all, and boutique brands can channel these values much better than big conglomerates.

Breaking in as a non-tech business

While the idea of settling into the metaverse may be intimidating, especially for smaller brands, Viltrakyte has reassured that — although certain tech knowledge is a must-have — the attitude with which a business immerses itself into the space is far more important.

“Approaching with an attitude of “how can I give value’, rather than ‘how can this benefit me’ makes a whole lot of difference. Later, it all boils down to ‘learning by doing’, whether it’s selling digital collections, creating a first virtual fashion show, or listing an NFT collection,” said the fashion expert. “Also, I’ve learned that the WEB3 community is very welcoming, and connecting with people in Discord, Twitter, and other hubs can help to better understand the space.”

Decentraland, Roblox, and other metaverses are quickly positioning themselves as a prospective new channel to market brands. As early adopters could make use of the first-mover advantage, Ms Viltrakytė urged to take advantage of this and encouraged fashion SMEs to join the virtual community.

“A lot of digital artists already discovered WEB3 and NFTs as means to make a living out of their art. Now it’s the time for designers, fashion artists, and small brands to discover the opportunities, reinvent themselves, and make the most out of this technology.”

About THE REBELS

The Rebels is a continuation of the IRL Robert Kalinkin brand, a street couture fashion house that has participated in world-renowned fashion weeks across the globe. The project encompasses 10101 unique characters based on the controversial “Jesus, Maria” ad campaign, which was banned in their home country. It finally found justice in the European Court of Human Rights, which ruled in favor of the brand. The case is now held as a precedent in cases related to freedom of expression in the EU. Led by Indrė Viltrakytė, a fashion industry expert with 10+ years of experience, The Rebels team aims to bridge real life and digital fashion in the WEB3 era. Learn more: https://therebels.io/

This article was sourced from a media release sent by Lukas Pereckas of blueoceanspr.com

Iordanes Spyridon Gogos & Powerhouse Museum Unveil Iconic Collaboration For Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2022

Posted on by Krissy
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MAY 12: Jenny Kee walks the runway during the Iordanes Spyridon Gogos show during Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2022 Resort ’23 Collections at the Powerhouse Museum on May 12, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

On Thursday, 12 May 2022, the Powerhouse staged Iordanes Spyridon Gogos’ (ISG) highly anticipated runway show for Afterpay Australian Fashion Week (AAFW) 2022. The unique collaboration transformed the Powerhouse’s iconic Boiler Hall for the first AAFW runway show in the museum’s 142-year history.

The Powerhouse workshop team collaborated with ISG to realise the vibrant ‘deconstructed castle’ runway. Artistic direction was led by Benn Hamilton, set design by Max Rixon, and spatial design by Tayarch Design Studio, all mainstay ISG collaborators who worked with the Powerhouse team to create more than 15 sculptural works along with painted banners, set pieces, and wearable art objects.

Jenny Kee and Jordan Gogos, Iordanes Spyridon Gogos Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2022 at Powerhouse. Image: Getty.

More than 1,000 hours of labour over five weeks and 123 litres of fluorescent paint, including much reused from previous exhibition projects, went into the collaboration. The full breadth of the workshop team’s skills and experience was showcased, from entry-level to experienced artisans and tradespeople with 30 years of experience across metal, timber, and scenic work, plus drawing and 3D modelling.

The Powerhouse workshop was amongst 60 Australian and international collaborators from the creative industries engaged to realise 33 singular looks for the runway show. One stand-out was a steel ‘tubular vest’ designed by Benn Hamilton and crafted by the Powerhouse workshop, which housed a floral arrangement by the Colour Blind Florist Benjamin Avery. The workshop also collaborated on NYC-based artist Patrick Church’s sculptural look.

ISG’s collaboration with Australian fashion veteran Jenny Kee AO opened and closed the show. ISG utilised recycled materials from ‘Step Into Paradise’ (Kee and Linda Jackson’s seminal Powerhouse retrospective) for the lining of garments, shoes, set design, and other elements. Kee’s archive of iconic prints and motifs, including her signature ‘Earth First’ scarf, were translated into textile designs by Brittney Wyper and incorporated into new garments. The designer herself made a runway cameo alongside her granddaughter.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MAY 12: Designer Jordan Gogos thanks the audience with Jenny Kee following the the Iordanes Spyridon Gogos show during Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2022 Resort ’23 Collections at the Powerhouse Museum on May 12, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

In his unique graphic style, Apollo Michaelides illustrated textile designs with cartoons featuring references to the Powerhouse’s expansive collection. Victoria Todorov’s textile designs also referenced a variety of collection objects for a garment designed by Shanghai-based Jake Siu. Photo media artist and sculptor Anna Pogossova’s oversized coins, seen on shoes, garments and jewellery, referenced real and counterfeit ancient Greek coins from the Powerhouse collection.

In collaboration with Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert, ISG presented a silhouette which captures the fashion label’s relationship with Sally and the Gallery. Clad in jacket and skirt, the model represented Sally as the gallery director, while a ‘shell’ reflected the distinct, considered textures of the gallery architecture, with a headdress symbolising the gallery’s iconic ‘halo’ light entrance.

Winner of the National Indigenous Fashion Awards 2021 Simone Arnol, working in collaboration with masters of Ghostnet woven totemic artworks Pormpuraaw Art Centre and Yarrabah Arts and Culture, presented a series of designs combining recycled fishing nets, textiles, and printed fabrics.


Jordan Gogos and Jenny Kee, backstage at Iordanes Spyridon Gogos AAFW 2022 Runway Show, Powerhouse. Collaborators: Patrick Church, Brittany Wyper, Max Rixon, Julia Baldini. Model: Kyva/Kyle. Image by Jamie Heath.

The show was presented alongside a curated Powerhouse Late program, which included a live stream of the runway show into the Powerhouse Theatre alongside artwork projections, documentary screenings and music curated by FBi Radio.  The runway show will remain available to view on the Powerhouse’s YouTube channel.

“The Powerhouse is thrilled to present our collaboration with ISG for AAFW 2022. Since our collaboration was first announced, Jordan’s epic vision has expanded in new and exciting ways. Galvanising the resources of the Powerhouse workshop team and production teams, this marked a momentous moment for the museum, transforming the iconic Boiler Hall into the world of Jordan Gogos” said Powerhouse Chief Executive Lisa Havilah.

Jordan Gogos and Jenny Kee, backstage at Iordanes Spyridon Gogos AAFW 2022 Runway Show, Powerhouse. Collaborators: Yarrabah Arts and Culture, Pormpuraaw Art, Julia Baldini. Model: Abbey. Image by Jamie Heath.

“Our collaboration with the Powerhouse has enabled us to realise the full scale and magnitude of our creative vision for this year’s Afterpay Australian Fashion Week runway show. Being embedded in the Powerhouse Ultimo Creative Industries Precinct as a Resident has generated thrilling new collaborations. Access to the incredible workshop facilities and production team at Powerhouse Ultimo has elevated the show to new heights in the iconic Boiler Hall,” said ISG founder Jordan Gogos.

Afterpay Australian Fashion Week is an IMG event proudly supported by the New South Wales Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.


Jordan Gogos and Jenny Kee, backstage at Iordanes Spyridon Gogos AAFW 2022 Runway Show, Powerhouse. Collaborators: Jenny Kee, Ruby Peddler, Brittany Wyper, Max Rixon, Sacred Honeys, Julia Baldini. Model: Stefania Gertis. Image by Jamie Heath.

Jordan Gogos and Jenny Kee, backstage at Iordanes Spyridon Gogos AAFW 2022 Runway Show, Powerhouse. Collaborators: Max Rixon, Jo Morton, Jenny Kee, Sacred Honeys, Julia Baldini. Model: Elliot. Image by Jamie Heath.