Show Stoppers

Fashion Exposed Melbourne 2011

Cutting edge fashion trends and new products are a major attraction at Fashion Exposed and the co-located events Premiere and Bags & Accessories Fair. These events have established themselves as a must visit for buyers in the fashion industry.

Labels showcased in dedicated precincts including menswear, womenswear, intimate apparel / sleepwear, junior, streetwear and designer womenswear giving visitors covetable inside loop on the latest fashion trends.

	La Maiy Stand 4334 Melbourne banker turned designer, Sabrina De Kauwe, identified a large gap in the junior fashion market: a dearth of affordable special occasion clothes for girls and boys aged 5-15. She has rectified matters with her upmarket label La Maiy, which features quality natural fabrics, comfortable styling and a very cool palette.
	The Fresh Brand/Studio Italia Stand 5118 Since Paris duo Jacquy and Allon Zibi launched The Fresh Brand in 2009 as a follow up to their hugely successful brand, Legend & Soul, the cool street label for men has gone global – more than 20 countries including Australia, where it was introduced last season. Distributor, Skye Group, will also present top suiting label, Studio Italia.
	Untouched World/Merinomink Stand 3008 The internationally acclaimed New Zealand knitwear labels created by Peri Drysdale – founder of parent company, Snowy Peak – and her designer daughter, Emily, continue to delight. For Winter 2012, Untouched World focuses on subtle layering, artful prints, new sustainable fabrics and features such as recycled fastenings.
	Pygmees Stand 3506 Vikings, Celts and Canada’s Inuit people are among the influences for Pygmees’ Winter 2012 collection, Tribal Chic – typical fodder for the enticing label created by Bali-based, globe-trotting French designer Didier Chekroun. His new range includes dresses, coats, pants and skirts, and as usual, brims with colour, fun and originality.
	Christian Hirth Stand 3406 The upmarket German knitwear label reflects the seasons: fine cotton for summer and Mongolian cashmere for winter. The latter will be presented in a 2012 collection that should please purists - classic sweaters, cardigans and hoodies in neutrals; a cable knit dress and coat in cream or black, and pashmina-sized scarves in brights.
	Willows in Bloom Stand 2304 Serbian design makes its Australian debut with a fabulous showcase of fashion, accessories and fine jewellery. Among the seven labels are leading women’s wear houses Luna and AMC, Da Lena, renowned for its limited edition handbags and Evica, whose exquisite handmade gloves are worn by the Duchess of Cambridge.
	YD Stand 5608 Sleek styling for day and after five, details such as contrast tape and piping, and a wide palette. That’s a brief taster of YD’s woven cotton shirts – key strength of the hot Sydney label for cool young guys – for Spring/Summer 2011. Other wardrobe magnets include photoprint tees, polo tops, slimleg denims, belts and footwear.
	Cashmere Angel Stand 3708 The must-have styles for women and men range from classic sweaters and cardigans to hoodies and tees - all in luxurious cashmere. No wonder Sydney designer Isabel Loxton can report, “It’s been a really good year.” The winner has now introduced a collection of silk caftans and dresses, and called it Ecstatic Angel.
	Firefly Stand 4108 Fetching fine cotton dresses, short and long, dominate the Summer 2011/12 collection by Sydney-based international resort wear favourite, Firefly. Shapes are easy and flattering, details include dainty capped sleeves and a harmonious palette, led by coral, khaki, navy and silver, is employed for a range of elegant prints.
	Connor Stand 5430 The cutting edge Australian menswear label goes razor-sharp for Spring-Summer 2011/12 with a collection that ranges from smart shirting and slim fit suits to tees in vibrant colours. Jeans reflect the hottest trends and there’s a strong emphasis on shorts – funky coated-denim styles for day and dressy shorts for summer nights.
	Cambridge Clothing Stand 5212 Classic tweeds, checks and pinstripes in pure Merino suitings get handsome play in the Autumn/Winter 2012 collection of New Zealand menswear icon, Cambridge Clothing. Established in 1867, its reputation for fastidious tailoring is matched by fashion-forward styling. A versatile trans-seasonal range will also be presented.
	Tarocash Stand 5526 The Sydney menswear favourite scores for Winter 2012 with chunky knits, crisp shirts, dark-wash denims and that wardrobe hit, the pea coat. Collar detail and hoods remain important for knitwear and jackets. Key colours include blues, lilac and charcoal. Dressy shoes and the Tarocash reversible belt provide great accessories.
	Mirror Fashion Stand 3012 Pois is one of Italy’s coolest fast-fashion brands – great mix-and-match pieces, including accessories. Spain’s Savage Culture, with its hot colours and prints, and hand-worked details, exudes bohemian chic. They are among 10 exciting European labels brought to Australia by newly-established Sydney distributor Mirror Fashion.
	The Tie Works Stands 5130 & 5230 Jacket lapels are slimmer, shirt collars are smaller and the current infatuation with the 5cm skinny tie will continue next Autumn/Winter. The pointers come from Graeme Benjamin, co-founder of Melbourne-based men’s fashion accessories company, The Tie Works. Brands include 4Play London, Carlo Visconti and Giorgio Rossini.
	Ertan Dericci Stand 3612 From a long-established family-owned fashion house located on Turkey’s west coast, near the ancient city of Ephesus, comes new leather label, Ertan Dericci. Finest lambskin, from napa to suede, has been used for men’s and women’s collections that reinforce Turkey’s reputation as a major force in contemporary fashion.
	Wyse Stand 4112 A recent trip to Paris gave Wyse’s Liz Parsons her direction for Autumn/Winter 2012: the classic chic of the ‘50s via elegant shapes, colour blocking, frills and a rich, muted palette. The Queensland designer has added a new Austrian jacquard to her favourite natural fabric, modal. Key features include coats and clever layers.
	Ivy & Isobel Stand 4216 For 15 years, Fremantle designer Gerri Lushey specialised in surfwear. Then she went to India and was captivated. The upshot was her resort wear label, Ivy & Isobel, with its delectably feminine caftans, dresses, sarongs, tops and now, pants. Fine cotton voile and silk crepe are embellished with embroidery and crochet detail.
	B Free Stand 2952 Since Paris-trained Melbourne designer Yael Carmeli launched her seamless intimate apparel label, B Free, last year, it has become a hot item. Her new season collection will introduce a soft cup, control brief, g-string and kini hipster. Briefs and camis are banded with delicate patterns. New colours include red, copper and gold.