The Lovely Thrills: 2015

Imagine having the ability to plan your dream Australian Fashion Week. From the labels to the locations...everything you wanted could become reality.

Thanks to Farfetch, one of the leading global luxury fashion websites, I've been given the opportunity to do exactly that - put together my own perfect vision of what Australian Fashion Week would look and feel like according to me.

Having been lucky enough to attend Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia as a blogger the past two years, I've had the chance to experience the incredible atmosphere and beautiful shows first-hand. There is an incredible buzz when some of Australia's best-known bloggers and celebrities first walk across the Carriageworks grounds, and a heart-fluttering feeling when the first model steps out from backstage and sets the tone for the Spring Summer collection of your favourite label.

If I could take over Fashion Week, it would look a little something like this...

THE LOCATION & THE LABELS

To me, the most exciting shows at Fashion Week are always the ones held "off-site"; at locations chosen by the individual designers to project and amplify the feeling of the brand and their showcased collection. For this reason, I would have more designers present their collections in this unique and authentic way - on a larger scale than ever before.

Imagine -
Camilla held at Taronga zoo, with models riding past on the backs of elephants (who are also adorned with Camilla's beautiful signature embellishments)
Alex Perry held on the steps of the Opera House, with the incredibly unique building as the backdrop
Toni Maticevski held on the Sydney Harbour Bridge - yes - literally stop the traffic and have the models walking down the centre of the bridge; with the guests lining either side

Ellery held on the ornately-decorated Gallery level of the Queen Victoria Building
Michael Lo Sordo held on the stunning grounds of Government House
Lover held winding through the beautiful Botanical Gardens
Zimmermann held along the length of Woolloomooloo Wharf

...just to name a few.

Other incredible designers such as Dion Lee, Josh Goot, Karla Septic, Christopher Esber, Manning Cartel, Akira, Rachel Gilbert, Bec & Bridge, Alice McCall and Aje - the list goes on - would also present their latest collections in signature-style runway shows, embodying the personality of their labels.

THE GUESTS

I would like to say that I'm mature enough not to let out a little squeal of excitement when I see my favourite bloggers in real life - but the reality is that it's just not true. Influential style icons & celebrities in their own right; these incredible women (and men) have built reputations for themselves around their personal sense of style and their exceptional ability to express this in words and images.

It goes without saying that I would love to see the creme of our national blogging talent attending the shows. The likes of Nicole Warne (of Gary Pepper), Amanda Shadforth (of Oracle Fox), Jasmin Howell (of Friend in Fashion), Jessica Stein (of Tuula), Carmen Hamilton (of Chronicles of Her) and Margaret Zhang (of Shine by Three) are a few names that immediately come to mind; globally-recognised faces who promote Australia to the fashion-conscious around the world. Their presence and support of our local labels and designers is extremely important, creating an interest in the events they attend and the brands they promote through their outfits and social media coverage.

Multi-talented Australian ladies who have built strong followings for themselves in the social media world, such as Nadia Fairfax, Rebecca Judd, Nikki Phillips, Megan Hess, Rochelle Fox, Mimi Elashiry, Imogen Anthony, Alexandra Spencer (of 4th and Bleeker), Ainsley Hutchence (of Sticks and Stones Agency), Tash Sefton & Elle Ferguson (of They All Hate Us) and Liz Sunshine (of Street Smith) are also influential style-icons in their own right; whose presence is equally as important as our top fashion bloggers.

Fashion Week also needs to be attended by local & international fashion editors, models, celebrities & influential personalities. On the guest list would be names such as Christine Centenera (of course), Eva Chen, Jennifer Hawkins, Megan Gale, Jessica Marais, Miranda Kerr, Candice Lake, Jessica Mauboy, Natalie Cantell and Sophie Monk. And I'm being entirely honest - the ultimate dream would be having Taylor Swift and her incredible girl squad attend.....Karlie Kloss, Gigi Hadid, Cara Delevigne, Lily Aldridge...we all know the names - imagine having them sitting front row at the shows! Could anything actually top that?

My dream Fashion Week would also be attended by some of the world's best international bloggers, to help in promoting our incredible Australian fashion designers & their labels to a global audience.
These names would include the incredible Leandra Medine (of Man Repeller), Andy Torres (of StyleScrapbook), Julie Sarinana (of Sincerely Jules), Jennifer Grace (of Native Fox), and my absolute favourite fashion blogger, Italian-born Chiara Ferragni (of The Blonde Salad). Having these extremely influential ladies attend shows at Australian Fashion Week, and be seen wearing outfits by our local designers, would exponentially increase the exposure of our design talent to the rest of the world.

THE OUTFITS

The most exciting part of Fashion Week to me has always been the outfits. Like every day you spend scrolling blogs and Instagram, swooning over the outfits put together by your favourite bloggers and celebrities, Fashion Week is a chance to see these incredible (...) first-hand. But, the greatest part is that you have the ability to be a part of the illustrious fashion world - and dressing the part is an absolute must.

With every outfit I put together, I asked myself the questions:

"Would I *actually* feel confident wearing this?"

"Does this in some way define who I am as a lover of fashion, and where my passion lies within that incredibly extensive world?"

and lastly,

"If I were a photographer for Vouge / [insert influencial street style blog of preference here], would I be determined to get a shot of this outfit?"

That last one may sound like a shallow question to ask myself, but a beautiful part of fashion is the ability it has to inspire others, and if you have the opportunity to do that, why wouldn't you grasp it with both hands and make the absolute most of it?

With all of that said, these are the outfits I would wear if my dream fashion week became a reality:

(all items from www.farfetch.com)

GLAM ROCK REVIVAL

Jitrois Biker Jacket / Michael Kors Sequinned T-Shirt / Givenchy Gypsophila Print Skirt / Chloe Small Drew Shoulder Bag / Linda Farrow 251 Sunglasses / Giuseppe Zanotti Beverly Mules

Nothing says glamour like gold and sparkles; nothing says rock & roll like black and leather. Combining the two creates a beautifully juxtaposed look that is both tough and yet feminine, and incredibly sexy. Finishing the look off with a pair of croc-embossed Giuseppe Zanotti mules gives the look a serious 'don't mess with me' attitude.

FEATHERED FEMME

Valentino Jacquard Mini Dress / Maison Rabih Kayrouz Metallic Belt / Giuseppe Zanotti Design Strappy Sandals / Stella McCartney Falabella Metallic Shoulder Bag / Linda Farrow Classic Round-Shaped Sunglasses

The ultimate party girl outfit, flirty and fun and bound to be the centre of attention. I love dresses with skater-skirt shapes; not only are they young & feminine but they're also super comfortable, which is so important during Fashion Week! Soft gold accessories are a delicate alternative to bright yellow gold, and no one does statement heels quite like Giuseppe Zanotti; this burgundy pair picking up the deep warm tones in the bottom of the dress.

RETRO LUXE

Valentino Lace Top Dress / Marni Classic Coat / Valentino Va Va Voom Shoulder Bag / Cutler & Gross Square Frame Sunglasses / Vionnet Open Toe Pumps

If I could take a time machine back to the 1960s, I'd want to be rocking outfits like this every day. Nothing represents the style of the era quite like an A-line mini dress and knee-high socks, and what better way to pay homage to such an incredible time than decked out in Valentino, founded in that decade. Fashion Week is the perfect time to be bold and wear an outfit you wouldn't usually consider for your every day life, and for me, this outfit would definitely find its time to shine!

INTERSTELLAR

Valentino Cosmo A-Line Dress / Lanvin Star Pendant Necklace / Edie Parker Lara Backlit Clutch Bag / Valentino Garavani Rockstud Pumps

Sometimes you come across a piece of clothing that you instantly fall in love with, in a way you just can't explain. That's how I feel about this Valentino dress. I love the shape. I love the space print. I love the combination of solid & sheer fabrics. Everything about it has my heart racing. From Lanvin's assortment of star pendants comes the perfectly-matching necklace, and I could never go past teaming with a pair of Rockstuds, still the shoe of the moment and with the perfect amount of sparkle to finish the look.

DOWNTOWN CHIC

Thakoon Addition Striped Knot-Detail Shirt Dress / Maison Margiela Sweetheart Waistcoat / Marni Structured Loop Necklace / Alexander Wang Rockie Tote / Gianvito Rossi Paneled High-Heel Boots

Sometimes a relaxed shirt dress is exactly what you feel like wearing during a mad week of running between Fashion Week shows. The tie detail gives this one a point of difference, and the short asymmetrical hemline is a fun detail. Teamed with a corset top worn over, the look gets a sexy upgrade. Burgundy accessories to add a warm tone, and these panelled block heeled boots are not only awesome - but also practical for getting from show to show!

FLOWER CHILD

Temperley London Flower Embroidered Short-Sleeved Dress / Rag & Bone Dunaway Hat / Chloe Bi-Colour Stacked Bangle / Lanvin Tassle Necklace / Valentino Garavani Glam Lock Shoulder Bag / Marni Platform Sandals

I'm always drawn to colour, and this beautifully embroidered Temperley London dress is whimsical and lovely. Teamed with neutral & tan coloured accessories, the dress remains the statement of the outfit while everything else works to complement it. These Marni platform slides are again a great choice for getting from show to show at Fashion Week - as much as every woman loves heels, sometimes you need to find a fashion-conscious alternative so you can get through the week still being able to walk! Being a lover of Valentino as I am, I couldn't go past a Glam Lock bag (but the current 'it' bag, the Faye by Chloe would also be perfect for this look!)

CASUAL COOL

Sacai Pleated Shirt Dress / Lanvin Colour Block Fedora Hat / Dior So Real Sunglasses / Lanvin Star Pendant Necklace / Alberta Ferretti Crystal Embellished Boots / A. F. Vandevorst 152b1881 Tote

I love Australian style icon Elle Ferguson (one half of blogging duo They All Hate Us), and this outfit is my tribute to her amazing style. It is tough and yet sexy; slightly boho and somewhat glam rock; monochrome yet bold; and I love everything about it. These boots have my heart screaming, and if I owned this dress I think I would be wearing it every day. Perfect for Fashion Week, it is a statement look without being over-the-top and would definitely turn heads.

UPPER EAST SIDE PREP

Chloe Penny Collar Blouse / Giorgio Brato V Neck Long Vest / Marcus Lupfer Metallic Shorts / Laurence Dacade Jasmine Sandals / Deepa Gurnani Embellished Headband / Givenchy Antigona Envelope Clutch

This is my Blair-Waldorf-meets-Cher-from-Clueless look. Sophisticated yet preppy, and based around these incredibly beautiful cobalt blue velvet sandals that for me were love at first sight - they are my favourite piece from any of the outfits I've put together. Navy is a great alternative to black, for a slightly softer and more feminine approach to an outfit. Metallic shorts add a young & playful attitude to the outfit, and no Queen B look would be complete without a jewelled headband.