Sparkles, sheers, and touches of neon

Sparkles, sheers, and touches of neon featured on the Afterpay Australian Fashion Week runways held from 9 – 13 May.

Resort 2023 collections were presented throughout the week.

Bianca Spender took centre stage at the start of the week with a collection made from remaindered fabrics.

The luxe creations saw pastels and neutrals colour blocked with red and orange. The silks and classic suiting flattering the models bodies.

Size inclusive and gender fluid collections

Gary Bignell’s Resort 2023 was full of beautiful, bright, and shiny people who totally embraced a diversity of size and shapes wearing shiny bright and neon clothes. This collection embodied the size inclusivity and diversity themes evident during the week.

The collection featured the shiniest of fabrics that appeared modest, but they were made super sexy by layering of dresses with cut outs through which the shiny neon pieces layered underneath emerged.

Dyspnea the label’s choice of models likewise showed a strong commitment to diversity. In contrast, the collection was all sparkles and no modesty. The jewellery worn throughout was stunning. Eclipsing the looks often. Look out for the suits with miniskirts in a graphic 60 style fabric from this collection.

Nicol & Ford embraced a diversity of body types presenting an eveningwear collection with a variety of silhouettes evident. For size inclusive cool gender fluid casualwear look to Erik Yvon.

byron and bondi baes look no further

The Bondi Born collection channelled the colourful Stine Goya collection seen at #CHFW 2022. Expect to see these pieces on the #Bryon Baes very soon. The St. Agni collection was also aimed at the Bondi and Bryon Baes. They will love the monochrome easy style of this collection. Auteur’ two opening pieces called to mind Dior’ sheer minimalism. What followed were pieces for a very modern millennials longing for the minimalism of the 90’s.

ASTA Resort’ collection of swimwear and cover ups will be what the models will be wearing next year. To add a touch of luxe they will be going for the Emma Pills collection with its body-hugging jumpsuits. While Matteau’s collection is for the slightly less adventurous. Nonethless, it offers stylish and functional looks – think elevated Country Road stylings. Bassike’ clients will also love this collection.

Esse presented an elevated and refined collection of suiting and dresses, targeting a more sophisticated clientele.

the eccentrics

The Romance Was Born collab with Ken Done offered bright colour that made me feel like I was looking at Tom Moore’s glass art come to life.

While We Are Kindred actually offered romance in a collection of pretty paisley print dresses.

Iordanes Spyridon Gogos offers a hectic use of colour and pattern while looks themselves are suggestive of an extreme skate park chic.

Injury took us inside the virtual world of fashion so we could image all looking like an Anime character.

gen z inspired

Collections targeting the Gen Z market included One Mile and Rumer. One Mile’s collection being the less refined of the two. aaizél and Bec + Bridge, (the latter is celebrating their 21^st year in business) offered collections Gen Z fashionistas will be clamouring for. A streamlined silhouette dominated the stylings of these brands.

Gen Z might find a muse in Alix Higgins’ deconstructed stylings. Hansen & Gretel offered Autumn toned florals as part of a collection with more streamlined looks. Hansen & Gretel’ green halter mini dress was a standout. The kaftan in the same fabric will appear to an older clientele. This collection is for the Bondi and Bryon Baes who want to stand out from their crowd.

The Next Gen collection offered pretty dresses for after hours and stylish workwear suits that had a relaxed vibe. The colours were neutral. Texture is created with lacings. Cut outs and bralettes are still dominant.

refined and gracious

This contrasted with Oroton who built on their 2021 catwalk presentation with elevated resort wear. The motifs and patterns were as delicate as the fabrics themselves. The bags complimented the outfits exquisitely. Bassike likewise offered a collection of luxe knitwear in teal tones. Was there a message here?

GYRE kept it fresh. The target is a clientele to whom the aesthic of Oroton and Bassike appeals. The pleated style of the reworked bucket hats is fun. The swimwear was the most stylish see during the 2022 #AAFW.

Anna Antal’s graphic prints and stripes in dresses, pantsuits and jumpsuits will create a polished looks that will take you stylishly from the office to cocktails. Many of the pieces will be seem at stylish summer weddings no doubt.

dissonance but not in a good way

Unfortunately, Sass + Bide seems to have lost its way. The discordance of the collection reflects that which you find in their stores. There were lovely individual pieces, but the collection lacks coherence and it is unclear who their customer is.

By Weave interspersed sparkly singlets with cut outs and frills in a collection that could not quite make up its mind. The black top and sheer skirt that led the close of the runway is a knock out and an absolute winner.

tropical dreams

Apartment 22 presented a more cohesive collection of relaxed sun dresses. These dresses will make for lovely workwear to the weekend in the sub-tropical and tropical parts of the world. The delicate motifs when used were as light as the looks on the runway.

For sheer body con dresses with an organic theme the Ultimo TAFE graduate Karla Spectic’ collection may be for you. Teaming singlets with structured shirts and see-through tops the architectural style of Joran Dalah was appealing in how it contrasted to the looks that dominated the runways of #AAFW 2022.

Torrance added florals in their take on the current stylings being seen across the #AAFW 2022 runways.  Wynn Hamlin offered a structural take on minimalism, adding puffer jackets and looks in bright blue, green, yellow and orange together with functional denim looks.

Michael Sandro fresh for his collab with the Witchery to produce a highly wearable man style shirt for the 2022 #WhiteShirtCampaign that raises funds for Ovarian Cancer Research presented a monochrome collection of white, black, and grey. The collection had a relaxed sub-tropical feel that made you want to go to a tropical island now so you could wear these beautiful clothes.

tailored and statuesque

I was obsessed with Daniel Avakian’s 2021 runway collection but not so in 2022. The geometric design aesthetic remains but the oversized jackets and coats held less appeal. Amongst the collection there were great individual looks. The burgundy leather trench coat was a standout.

Having seen Mariam Seddiq’s collection in the final runway of the Melbourne Fashion Festival 2022 I was thrilled to see the complete runway show. Mariam Seddiq’s dresses the statuesque. Silver and neon featured as well as a delightful pink and red graphic fabric. When she uses draping the looks loose the drama and appeal of her other looks.

L’IDÉE presented a refreshing collection. The pleated looks made a spectacular statement that was enhanced using iridescent colours. The bold colour palette is perfect for anyone wanting to add some colour to their wardrobe.

Beare Park shone again. Their beautifully wearable tailored pieces will be staples in your wardrobe for years.

indigenous fashion

The Indigenous Fashion Projects show featured four Indigenous designers:

• Maara Collective by Julie Shaw;
• Ngali by Denni Francisco;
• Kirrikin by Amanda Healy; and
• Liandra [Gaykamangu].

Jessica Mauboy opened the show which featured looks using gorgeous indigenous prints. Comfort and style were delivered by these designers on the runway. Ngali’s fabric designs were a standout.

The Sparkles, Sheers and Touches of Neon made for an interestng week. Expect to see these accents as well as cut outs and bralettes in the stores in 2023.

Contact Bottlegreen and Yellow to discuss Creating Your Signature Style.

Here are some of the looks from #AAFW 2022. Enjoy!