Power shoulders and tiny bags dominated the first street runway of MFW

Glitterati.

Caledonian Lane is a back street perhaps best known for its graffiti and street art. By day it is designated for deliveries and foot traffic, but last night it was transformed into a street runway as part of Melbourne Fashion Week.

Dotted with white chairs, blue fluorescent lights and metal cages filled with paper origami stars the atmosphere was electric and as spectators began to meander into the space, the sun started to set behind the gaps in the city skyline.

M/FW ambassador Adut Akech and her family (including little brother Bior who walked for Strateas Carlucci the night before) took their seats just in time for the acknowledgement of country.

Then the lights dimmed to a fluorescent blue and the high tempo music kicked in.

Arnsdorf opened with what felt like their version of a picnic dream. The floaty, summery dresses and coloured gingham missed only a wicker basket full of triangle sandwiches and a modern yellow brick road.

Jac + Jack followed, leading with a series of pieces that paired pastel hues with stark black, creating expertly balanced ensembles. In a slight departure from the designer’s focus on complementary colours and manipulated fabric, the final look was a neutral brown-beige shirt and short co-ord, paired with a gold-chained tiny bag.

Then came bassike, Viktoria & Wood and later, Scanlan Theodore, all of which provided bodies clad in sophisticated glamour. Power suits, buttoned shirts with original silhouettes, structured pants and belted vests showcased the elegance of design for which each of these labels are renowned.

sass & bide brought the early ‘00’s back to life with a double denim ensemble, bold black and white striped prints, and a healthy dose of sustained glitter, while Alice McCall exhibited its signature florals with punk leather flares.

With sparkling gold accented floral prints, sharp shoulders and flowing pantsuits, Diida’s expert eye for detail stole the show. My personal favourite being the cream satin mock-neck dress, creatively positioning single-shoulder slits.

Another noteworthy Diida piece was a Grace jones-style silver jumpsuit. With a plunging neckline and palazzo-cut leg wide enough to fit a small child between its folds, the piece brought a suitable amount of attitude to the runway as the show neared its end.

For more M/FW info or tickets to other shows, head to their website.