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STYLEAID is a global fashion event originating on the West Coast of the US nineteen years ago and making its Australian debut three years later in Melbourne.
STYLEAID has become Perth’s opportunity to join the worldwide force of fashion fund-raisers fighting HIV and AIDS. Initially the event was conceived in the hope of raising funds to assist with the education, prevention, care, support aims and the objectives of the West Australian AIDS Council but has since evolved to become one of the biggest events on Perth’s social calendar.
Images by: For-Tomorrow Perth Contingent via Mitchell McLennan Photography
Set in a large stadium space, the Ksubi show was epic before it had even begun. The colossal audience were ushered into position around the circular catwalk, with only two rows of seats, crowding around like spectators in a bull fight. The show was introduced with video footage displayed on big screens above the crowd’s heads, beginning with static noises and an image of a man dressed in black with a balaclava, rolling around on a white floor, almost like a mental patient in a straight jacket. This was followed by an image of the same masked man holding a series of notes up to the camera like a terrorist, reading “don’t tell me, I know I’m wrong, I always am, but why does, shit take so long, get fucked around, I’m sick of it, we’d better, get somewhere, and we’d better, be quick, or, the next thing, you know, we’ll be gone ”. When the models finally appeared, it was a black shed in the centre of the space, walking one by one around the arena. The clothing was composed heavily of worn denims, oddly structured jeans, leathers, custom prints and even tailored suits.
The aesthetic of the Lui Hon show was quite ethereal and Greecian, with plenty of black, white, grey and beige. The pieces were quite drapey and light, complimented by seemingly effortless hair styles and casual footwear; the female models wore strapped beige heels and the male models wore Roman-style sandals. From appearances, most of the pieces looked as though they were made from various silks, from the way they hung and moved on the body, aptly suiting the collection’s title “So The Wind Won’t Blow It Away”.
Alvin’s inspiration was a Melbourne music venue called The Crystal Ballroom and its patrons – the mods, the skinheads, the sharpies and the goths of the late 70s and early 80s. The show began with excerpts of the series displayed on the screens. With red lipstick, dark eye make up and teased hair-dos, the models were made to look an interesting combination of vampires, goths and punks. The jewellery was a pivotal factor in the show, with chains hanging from the model’s necks and legs, and their eyebrows built up with either silver, gold or black. Even the shoes, which were scuffed-up Doc Martens and combat boots, were draped in chains. The garments were made up predominantly of black, white, red, stripes and denim, and laden with studs. There were also many tailored pieces, however, which were styled with suspenders. Some of the pieces were even two-toned with white and red, roughly merged to look like blood stains, fitting the vampire theme perfectly. The show also defied conventional model formation, by interspersing single models with models walking two or three at a time, and a finale composed of all models walking at once.
While some are still waiting for Sydney based Josh to bring back his menswear line, here is his latest colourful collection from London Fashion Week on September 21st.
The show was held in Melbourne’s pop-up venue ‘The Factory’, an old foundry warehouse located in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD on the 4th September, 2009 @ 8:00pm.
It’s funny that in Australia we have the same S/S collections showing in three times, Sydney twice (RAFW, RSFF) and Melbourne once (MSFW), yet the only A/W runway show available is in Melbourne (LMFF), which is opened publicly. Runway shows are always expensive for the designers but if there was some way to incorporate a public fashion festival with an industry event, held during September/October for A/W collections, that would be somewhat good news for Australian fashion.
Pictures care of MelbourneStreetFashion
Presented as a part of Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival on Thursday 20th August 2009 @ Martin Place in Sydney.
Womenswear included.
Presented as a part of Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival on Thursday 20th August 2009 @ Martin Place in Sydney.
