Out of the 57 shows being featured at this years RAFW ’11, it seems that more than ever before this years focus was a little different. There were no live vermin mingling with the models, no infamous volcano dress and no ‘celebrity models’ being complete divas. This year it was all quite simply about the most important thing, the reason why bloggers, editors, media, press and socialites show up to Rosemount Australian Fashion Week year after year; the clothes, accessories, the outfit.
This Spring/Summer 2011 is literally ready-to-wear with accessible trends sure to be in all of your favourite places to shop. Take a look at my personal guide of what the trends are and which designers are doing it best. I do advise you though; make sure that come Spring/Summer 2011 you are tanned and toned, ready to look nothing less of amazing in these various, out-there trends.
The Colours – whites and nudes, deep punchy shades of tangerine, sunburnt oranges, cobalt blues, hot pinks and even an adventurous surprise of neon yellows. Colour blocking was huge in Josh Goot, Bec & Bridge and Shakuhachi as well as Lisa Ho. To tone the standout focus of colour labels such as Kirrily Jonston, Lover and Ellery used more whites and nudes to compliment the loud colours.
The Silhouette – featured numerous plunging necklines, thigh-high splits and cut outs in ways that managed to still look a touch of classy and appropriate. This was the favoured silhouette in shows of Sara Phillips, Miss Unkon and Alice McCall.
The Prints – were again shown in more than a few collections; leopard, snake, sweet garden and graphic prints were the main ones at Little Joe Woman, Stolen Girlfriends Club, Sara Phillips and Bec & Bridge.
The Pleats/Frills – again were absolutely everywhere on the models in the show as well as the fashion pack viewers. Designers such as Alex Perry, Dhini, Dion Lee as well as Camilla and Marc greatly featured this trend in their collections. Though this time around, it wasn’t only your pretty dresses and feminine pieces – it was leather. Usually more worn in the colder months, these designers showed us how to do it in the warmer times, without feeling as though you are still stuck to your leather lounge. We saw leather panels in colours other than black, on pale shades of linen at Shakuhachi and that just shows us what we are in for.
The 1970’s – the pussy bow blouses, shirt dresses, maxi dresses, jumpsuits and flares are not going anywhere anytime soon, they are a favourite in many, many collections. Our favourite, easy to wear, platforms and wedges are still the go-to for almost any occasion.
These coming months as the weather gradually gets a little warmer and our stores begin to bring in these trends; feel free to experiment. That is exactly what it’s all about, fashion shouldn’t be serious so try that plunging neckline, dare to wear a colour blocking outfit, mix complimenting prints and create a style of your own and wear it with absolute confidence.
