Fashion Exposed Melbourne Showstoppers

Updated each week, the Showstoppers give you a snapshot of what you can expect at Fashion Exposed, Melbourne 2009.

DDP_webDDP

What founders Laurent Caillet and Didier Mauroux began in 1996 as a streetwear label, has evolved into an international quality fashion favourite - some 2,000 stores in France alone – that is regularly featured in the world’s top glossies. Each richly imaginative collection is inspired by special themes that have ranged from Alcatraz to Kabbalah.

See them at Stand 3606.







Blank_webBlank

Premium denims at an impulse price. From that seductive premise, designers Emmy Lauridsen and Leigh Brown created Blank and launched the hot New York label in 2007. It combines the Big Apple’s hip sophistication with European classic design. Blank’s sleek, sexy jeans, jackets and tops have blitzed in upscale boutiques.

See them at Stand 3606.












Zeve31_lg_webZeve

Frustrated by the dearth of trendy Australian plus size fashion, enterprising Victoria duo Yvonne Fawcett and Melissa Davis decided to fill the gap. Their label Zeve has hit the mark with stylish, versatile clothes and accessories for day and evening. Zeve’s comprehensive new season offerings range from sexy dresses to cool jeans.

See them at Stand 3144.





Sass_webSass

The Sass Girl has her finger on the fashion pulse. She is feminine, smart and thrifty – and of course, sassy. With that profile in mind, Melbourne’s Talitha Becker established Sass in 1997. More than a decade on, the label has a raft of outlets across Australia and New Zealand, but the original vision remains intact: sharp, affordable fashion.

See them at Stand 4036





stamps_05_webS.T.A.M.P.S.

They look like postage stamps and tell the time. They’re S.T.A.M.P.S, the novel adhesive fashion timepieces created by the makers of Swatch and Citizen. They can be peeled off and stuck on everything from wrist-band or choker to monitor screen or car dashboard. The graphics, designed in Germany and France, are a treat.

See them at Stand 2242


Katelyn_Aslett_2_webKatelyn Aslett

The Townsville designer who has become an international phenomenon continues her love affair with colour and breaks fresh ground with original silk prints that echo motifs on dresses and separates in superfine and woven Australian wool. Every piece breathes originality and the powerful appeal that has won devotees from Paris to New York.

See them on stand 3500




Love from Venus_web_1Love From Venus

Melbourne jewellery designer Georgia Hatzis artfully combines sterling silver, semi-precious stones and freshwater pearls with leather, suede and numerous symbols and charms. Her label, Love From Venus, has won a nationwide cult following among women – all ages - who love a good dash of spirituality with their adornments.

See them on stand 1902







Charles_of_London_webCharles of London

The London label spawned in 2000 by British electro glam musician Mark Charles and Susan Mihalski, a graduate of Boston’s School of Fashion Design, is subversive, outrageous and adored by the young and restless. The pair’s raunchy videos, like their clothes, have been dubbed “pervocative” by an equally entranced media.

See them on StreetLab Stand 1






Queen_webQueen

Luxurious wool cashmere sets the tone for the latest collection from Melbourne favourite Christine Boyle. The founder of Queen offers an elegant palette, richly textured fabrics led by wool and cotton, and as usual, loads of versatility and originality. For men, there is the macho McQueen. For female couture lovers, brand new label, UniQueen.

See them on stand 4000







Zoe_Wall_02_webZoe Wall Designs

Byron Bay’s Zoe Wall calls her specialty “felted textile art”. “Magic” would do. Her scarves, shrugs and vests are marvels of delicacy and inventiveness. Using superfine Merino wool, organic wool, silk and other specialised fibres, Zoe makes each luxurious piece by hand. Her creations are carried by leading fashion stores Australia-wide. 

See them at Stand 1900







Cloak_01_webCloak

The palette is joyous, the textiles are natural and every piece features handcrafts from knitting and crochet, to shibori and block-printing. They add up to Cloak, the new women’s label created by Renske Carbone, founder of Melbourne-based design house, Colours of Australia. The versatile launch collection comes in a wide size range. 

See them at Stand 3300








Stretching It Out_web_1Stretching It Out

Former Australian aerobics champion Nicole Lewis-Jacobs combines her twin passions, fashion and sport, in Stretching It Out, the funky, versatile activewear label for children and teens. The Melbourne dynamo’s latest collection adds tutus, tennis dresses and a pastel range to winners including crop tops, jazz pants, hotpants and tracksuits. 

See them at Stand 5724









Pyjama_Queen_webPyjama Queen

Comfort, versatility, striking colours and prints, and a touch of modesty have proved a winning combination for New South Wales sleepwear designer Jo Malone. For the new season, the self-confessed pyjama addict has gone for a softer palette, though as usual, she has used top quality cottons for her delightful PJs. Features include satin piping. 

See them at Stand 3222







RAW_we_bRaw

New quality men’s underwear label Raw comes in cool styles including mini trunks, briefs and jockets in a range of colours. It’s made from eco-friendly bamboo fibre, which “breathes” better than cotton, according to Raw’s design team. Coming soon will be Raw loungewear and socks. The label is already selling in major Asian cities.  

See them at Stand 4050