Our city is runway ready and abuzz with its annual Melbourne Fashion Festival where each day until 8 March creativity will be on display showcasing a wonderland of amazing Australian designers and their work. How fabulous is it that we can give a roll of fabric to many and each come back with a different story to tell?
Fashion really is a superpower. It can influence minds, change moods, command attention and act as a means of cultural and social development. It is definitely worth celebrating, and as we become more and more absorbed in taking sustainability to higher heights, the ‘New Again Runway’ will celebrate designers who use reclaimed materials transformed into new masterpieces.
Recycled resources have nuanced the fashion arena, and creatives have embraced using them as the new normal. Fabrics have personality. Hardware such as buckles and buttons have character and even millinery textiles like veiling and crinoline add a certain flair to new designs. Finding them is getting a bit hard with all the demand and usually a good thrift store adventure would prove very frugal.
Fashion doesn’t have to be brand new to be fresh and cool and you don’t have to change to fit fashion trends
Today, not only are there more stores popping up, but they too are finding a flair of their own. Attention to styling and merchandising, spaces dedicated to relaxing and reading and even internal cafes are creating a real shopping experience with a purpose. We have a trail of charity stores on the peninsula and they all have a treasure or two to find. Fashion doesn’t have to be brand new to be fresh and cool and you don’t have to change to fit fashion trends; with such a variety, you can choose and change the fashion to fit you.
Repurposed fashion can change lives and as we wind down from festival fashion overload we also celebrate and shine a light on International Women’s Day. ‘March Forward’ is the mantra this year. It conjures up such emotion and ideas and women inspiring the world is nothing new on the peninsula. I have to say we have some amazing initiatives that have come from people leading by example, helping, mentoring and stepping up in their fearless pursuit to leave a positive legacy moving forward. Helping to dress and provide education to lift someone to a new level from donated goods is a service we should enable and support, so reach into those wardrobes and give generously whenever you can.
Wearing well-styled clothing can command power and drive confidence and many have risen through these programs to continue on to lead, help and aid others. Some have gained momentum through the face of adversity, health triumphs and challenges to continue to give back to our community, but not everyone has been challenged; some are just natural standouts for who they are and to that. We give you a big nod for all you do.
Art and attire inspire and command positive attention from every turn and with the focus on women this month I can’t help being absorbed by those that both compliment and demonstrate this, often creating sub-cultural influences for others to resonate with. Global fashion editor Anna Wintour, hiding behind her signature dark glasses for one, tennis great Sabalenka with her tiger emblem tattoo and sneakers going viral or the uber fabulous icon, the late Iris Apfel as she ladens herself unapologetically with colour and lashings of jewellery and accessories to champion her individuality. The list goes on with the real trendsetters of today just being themselves and, in turn, there for those that need to look up to someone for guidance, connection or acceptance.
Whatever it takes for you to shine, try to find some fashion from our wonderful local boutiques and tell your own story. Create your own sunlight and enjoy dressing up, attending some lovely luncheons and networking events over March. Put a spark in your step as you take your fashionable strides this month and well into 2025.
Fashionably yours,
Annette