Fashion Features

07.03.2019

The best of VAMFF: Day 3

International Runway: Lyn-Al

International Runway: Elliatt

Runway 3: Acler

Runway 3: Aje

Runway 3: Ginger & Smart

Runway 3: macgraw

Runway 3: Manning Cartell

Runway 3: Rachel Gilbert

Runway 3: VIKTORIA & WOODS

Virgin Australia Grand Showcase: Carla Zampatti

IMAGES VIA LUCAS DAWSON PHOTOGRAPHY
WORDS BY TARA SMITH

What went down.

Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival Day 3 kicked off last night, and once again the Royal Exhibition Building set the stage for some pretty impressive displays of Australian design talent.

For those who missed it, last night played host to the International Runway, Runway 3 and Virgin Australia Grand Showcase featuring Carla Zampatti.

Between all the fun at the runways, these were the best moments.

Back to nature

In an intimate setting just off the main runway, Indigenous designer Lyn-Al transported guests back to nature. Rather than the usual pulsating beat you expect from a runway, Lyn-Al chose to showcase her designs to the sound of chirping birds and wildlife. Complementing these sounds were flowing dresses in colourful prints, drifting down the runway against a backdrop of the setting sun – it felt pretty damn special.

Colour coordination

On Runway 3, Manning Cartell made a pretty convincing case for a rainbow wardrobe. A flurry of colour was sent down the runway in quick succession, reminding us Melburnians that there’s more to life than black and you can never wear too much ultraviolet.

Queen Carla

In all my years attending VAMFF, I’ve never seen a standing ovation. Last night, I was able to check that off the list, following Carla Zampatti’s impressive display at the Grand Showcase. The overwhelming response was well-deserved, following a runway that included the return of animal print, an army of ladies in red and a performance from Dami Im on a grand piano.

Fringe, fringe and more fringe

Fringing is back in a big way, and not the suede boho kind you wore in 2006. This time around, the humble fringe featured on silk dresses across bodices, on sleeves and dress hems. Special mentions go to Aje and Rachel Gilbert for their feather fringing in Runway 3, as well as Carla Zampatti who pretty much added fringing anywhere she could during the Grand Showcase.

Girl power

Things took a delightfully feminine turn last night, with many designers ditching the classic androgynous look and celebrating female empowerment. Traditionally feminine details (ruffles, feathers, sequins, glitter) were taken and ramped up a notch, added to silhouettes with impossibly high shoulders, sharp collars and flashy colourways. As a guard of brightly dressed models stood in formation at the conclusion of Runway 3, one word came to mind – power.

vamff.com.au

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