“Beautiful and hedonistic”: Inside Melbourne’s For the Love of Wackie Ju Party

“A true testament to the power of community… the energy was unmatched.”

Even in a smaller market like Australia, the fashion industry can be notoriously tough. While it seems the gap between the big players and emerging creatives is gradually getting smaller, the journey will never be easy. So when Naarm designer Jackie Wu was offered a standalone Australian Fashion Week show for the second year running, logistics – and finances – had to be considered.

After producing her new collection, Wackie Ju 002 Saviour, Jackie was met with overwhelming support from Melbourne’s fashion community. They came together to raise money for her upcoming Australian Fashion Week show, led by Jackie’s friend and artist, Jonty Knight.

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Held at Miscellania on March 23, the event was an unforgettable success, raising over $7,500. “I think Jackie opening up and being vulnerable about her shortcomings has restarted an important conversation,” Jonty says. Below, she speaks on bringing the event to life.

How do you know Jackie?

Jackie and I met at a queer event, Daydreams, which was something we’d frequent in the summers of 2018 to 2020. The magnetism we felt towards each other was undeniable, and so we’ve remained best friends ever since.

We’ve been side by side through so many pivotal points of each other’s journeys. We’re both dreamers and have spent so many hours together dreaming about the world we wish for. It feels so full circle to watch all our dreams start to unravel in reality. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her.

Why did you choose to run the event?

Jackie had expressed to her close friends the trials and tribulations of following her passion, but this time felt especially more vulnerable and helpless. I initially had the idea to crowdfund [the event] and when Rowena, another close friend of Jackie’s, reached out wanting to take the same action, we got [our good friend] Mike involved and started to plan something as a trio.

We decided to keep it a secret from Jackie, knowing she might be hesitant… so we approached her only after everything was locked in. I’ve always been raised on the values of the Ubuntu philosophy, that ‘I am because we are’. To be in a community goes beyond a united front and delves deep into understanding one another’s needs and how we all have a part to play

… Jackie’s wins are all of ours. This all felt incredibly natural to us and didn’t require a second thought. We have our family’s backs and would do anything for her, as she would for us!

Tell us about the location.

My friend Ella, who ended up being an absolute lifesaver with event admin, was meant to be throwing a party at Miscellania but was no longer able to take that on… Ella [put me in communication] with Miscellania and they were excited at the prospect of holding our fundraiser. So we were ready to go with a tight two weeks to make it all happen. The universe has a wonderful way of making things happen exactly when they are meant to.

Who was in attendance?

The event was an amalgamation of Jackie’s community, old and new. We had all the beautiful humans that have been involved in all Wackie’s past projects and runways, [with] some even FaceTiming in from NYC to catch the action (we love you, Michelle). So many beautiful and talented creatives in our community… joined the family on the night.

The club kids of yesteryear, who all found themselves [and] each other in the dungeon that was Hugs and Kisses, came together in remembrance of how we all started and why we fell in love with these spaces in the first place.

What were some event highlights?

So many highlights! We started the night with an intimate pres at Sanguin Studios in the Nicholas Building, where we sipped on Memento Mori wines [and] indulged in the beauty of connection. Everyone in attendance took Polaroids to add to a heartfelt message to Jackie written in a book, serving as a physical affirmation of our support, should she need to be reminded down the line.

At the club, we had Ben and Luis MCing us through the night. A notable standout was Blu Jay serenading the audience with a performance of ‘Summertime Sadness’, the finale song of Wackie’s Australian Fashion Week show last year.

They were draped in an incredible red Wackie dress that suited the moment and song… perfectly. Overall, the energy was immaculate. Witnessing the pure joy and love in the room was incredible and a beautiful testament to the unity within our community and the future we’re building together.

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