RAFW

Published by Tangent Magazine

Here at Tangent we are counting down the days (and outfit options) until the launch of the 15^th anniversary of Rosemount Australian Fashion Week. As the crème de la crème of the industry begin to flock to Australia’s fashion capital, preparations are well underway at the Overseas Passenger Terminal.

With over one hundred participating designers, and enough high profile editors to attract the attention of top style photographers Tommy Ton and Scott Schuman, this could be one of the biggest fashion events of our history.

The event kicks off on Monday May 3^rd and is welcomed in by design legend Lisa Ho. She has been at the forefront of the industry for over 25 years and continues to impress with her exclusivity and design philosophy inspired by vintage textiles. Monday also welcomes Ginger & Smart, Camilla, Zambesi and ‘The Sydney Six’s’ very own Christopher Esber to the runway.

So one day, one amazing outfit and a whole lot of French martini’s later, day two of RAFW will arrive. Tuesday hosts designers including Camilla and Marc, Zimmermann, Friedrich Gray and Ellery. It also welcomes one of Australia’s most influential and internationally recognized designers Alex Perry.

Alex Perry is by far the most glamorous designer, by virtue of his magnificent gowns and sensational red carpet eveningwear. His ‘Arabian Princess’ collection will be debuted at Fox Studios and is sure to attract front-rowers by the likes of Kirstie Clements, Elle McPherson, Miranda Kerr and Megan Gale.

Day three is considered the biggest day of the week with leading designers including Romance Was Born, Konstantina Mittas, Kate Sylvester and Alice McCall.

Wednesday is opened by one of our favourite designers Therese Rawsthorne, who is known for her sophisticated, glamorous collections with a subtle edge. She continuous to thrill fellow designers and industry alike with her impressive lines and ability to incorporate avant-garde, conceptual design into the Australian wardrobe.

Kings of kook and Romance Was Born duo, Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales are scheduled to close the third day of RAFW with a collection that has been anticipated for months. Details of the show have been kept under wraps but the invitation to the show that was sealed with a gold-wax ‘RWB’ stamp may be hinting a historically referenced collection.

Thursday May 6^th and day four of RAFW plays host to some of Australia’s freshest design talent including Dion Lee, Gail Sorronda, Saint Augustine Academy, Dhini and Fernando Frisoni. Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE’s own success story Dion Lee has recently been awarded the LMFF Young Designer Award and has been dubbed the one to watch for RAFW 2010.

Finally, Friday May 7^th dawns on us as the final day of Rosemount Australian Fashion Week 2010. Designers including Miss Unkon, Arnsdorf, White Sands and the New Generation showcase will leave their final marks on the runway and help us celebrate another year of RAFW. Labeled as last year’s New Generation standout, Miss Unkon is set to rival some of the biggest names in the industry with a collection inspired by the journey of young love that could only be imagined in our wildest dreams.

RAFW isn’t celebrating the only birthday on the block, but sharing the cake with fashion week veteran Ksubi. Ksubi’s first show in three years will be offsite at the Royal Hall of Industries in Moore Park and celebrates its 10th birthday with their new collection titled “One Via Zero”. Co-founders and director’s of the brand Dan Single and George Gorrow have developed the Australian brand into an underground subculture, a lifestyle—an international presence with a cult following. The label has had some intense scrutiny over the past few years but is back with a vengeance. “We have certainly had some challenges recently, its been an emotional and physical roller coaster of late, but with all the set backs we have been able to regroup & are excited to celebrate our 10th anniversary back on the stage where it all started, the closing show of Australian Fashion Week,” said George.

We will be posting daily wraps live from Rosemount Australian Fashion Week and have scored exclusive interviews with some of the biggest names so make sure you keep up to date with everything RAFW on Tangent Digital.

Words: Leni Andronicos