Keeping it fresh! This year’s Garage Menswear show took us under the Town Hall at Melbourne Fashion Week. The rustic venue gave way for an edgy showcase of the new season looks. Keeping with the diversity theme of this year’s event there were several female models rockin’ the clothing on the runway and hey this makes sense as I’ve had plenty of my girlfriends raid my wardrobe!
Let’s talk trends. The bum bag is having a moment and it’s certainly a handy accessory for us mobile phone lovers. No hanging onto a bag means those hands are free to organise that next Tinder date on the run. But with the bum bag, do not wear around the waist, wear it on the diagonal across the chest and you’ll be on point. Military hardware made for masculine details and I’ll be trying out this one myself. Also, it looks like the cool mix of a suit teamed with sneakers is here to stay, as it just looks so goddam stylish and I’m sure we can all agree is really comfortable.
The fun is underway at Melbourne Fashion Week 2017. It’s a fabulous showcase of the coming trends and styles for the spring/summer fashion season. This year there is a strong emphasis on diversity which is great to see, so far I’ve seen a gay wedding on the runway and female models in the menswear show. MFW 2017 boasts a massive line-up with over 150 events across the city – including Premium Runways with the country’s leading designers, industry workshops, exhibitions, parties, films, music, and free fashion experiences. There is something for everyone!
The hub is Melbourne Town Hall and a great place to go celeb and street style spotting plus they feature live music and DJ sets. We’re only half-way through so get amongst it – link to schedule and buy tickets at bottom of post.
Follow me on my social channels and stay tuned for trend reports. See you on the runway.
Some of my opening night highlights…
Spectacular: The David Jones runway on Little Bourke Street really does stop traffic! This view from the top was snapped by one of my peeps on scene, Lilli Anak.Striking a pose with the models at the Harrold’s event as part of the Vogue Night Out.Spring racing style at the Rokk Ebony runway show at Collins Place. As part of the Vogue Night Out.
At the media preview I got first look inside The House of Dior: Seventy Years of Haute Couture at the National Gallery of Victoria.
This is the world premiere of an exhibition that celebrates 70 years of the famous fashion house Christian Dior.
It’s a divine spectacle with 140 handcrafted garments on display among a setting of chandeliers, mirrors and a featured grand staircase.
To see the gowns up close and take in the detail is simply amazing, plus it’s good to play ‘who wore that dress’. I spotted Miranda Kerr’s wedding dress and Jennifer Lawrence’s 2014 Golden Globes design of the show-stopping white tiered creation with two black bands.
The exhibition kicks off Sunday 27 Aug 2017, let’s look at my pics…
House of Dior: Seventy Years of Haute Couture
27 August 2017 – 7 November 2017
NVG International, Melbourne ngv.vic.gov.au
Images: feel free to share on your social channels, just make sure to tag and give me a mention! @mrfashion_man
Veena Raja and Mithra Firestone have high-profile careers as a lawyer and engineer, and now they’re pursuing their fashion design dream.
This designer duo have returned home from studying fashion in New York and released a gorgeous sleepwear label that oozes their own personalities, through vibrant colours and sophisticated original prints.
It echoes their vision of bringing a sense of elegance and comfort to the sleepwear world.
Let’s find out more!
Designer and sister duo Veena Raja (left) and Mithra Firestone (right).
Q. When did you first realise you wanted to start a fashion label and what were the next steps you took? Veena. I knew I wanted to start my own label after attending a design course at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York. My sister and I have complementary skill sets and an almost identical sense of style and appreciation for all things fashion-related. We also get along effortlessly and share the same creative dream, so setting up a business partnership was the next step. pjMe was a natural leap of faith for both of us! It was time to give our creative dreams a chance. So far it’s been an incredibly fun and rewarding journey that has been worth every risk. Mithra. Since forever my sister and I talked about starting a fashion label together. But in school my strengths were in maths/sciences and as a result I became an engineer. So, after eight years working in that competitive corporate world – I was ready for a career change! I was working in Qatar, my sister was living in New York and she was to begin a course in fashion design. My reaction was to quit my job, join her in New York and do the course so we could begin the dream business we had talked about.
The gorgeous designs from pjMe.
Q. What do you love about fashion? Veena. Fashion or style is an expression of your personality through clothing. I adore fashion; pretty little dresses and high heels are some of my favourite things. Mithra. I love that fashion is unique to an individual. It reflects your inner personality as well as complementing your unique physical attributes. When you receive a compliment on your outfit it’s how the clothes complement you as an individual that make your look special.
Where do you draw your design inspiration from? Veena. Our travels through Asia, Europe and the Middle East have inspired us with bright colours, edgy prints and versatile silhouettes. Mithra. We love to travel! So we take inspiration from the colours of the environments that include; Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Q. What advice would you give to young people wanting to create their own brand? Veena. Just do it! Seriously. Stop thinking about it and make it happen for yourself. This quote motivates me: “Build your own dreams or someone will hire you to build theirs”. Mithra. Stop dreaming and just do it.
Q. Do you think there is enough support out there for Australian designers? Veena. Emerging designers always have difficulty breaking into the market and much of it comes down to who you know – be it fashion influencers, bloggers, retailers, media or marketing contacts. Mithra. Breaking into any industry is always a challenge. Being an emerging designer, it always helps to have good contacts in the blogging, retail and media industries. I still think there could be more support for emerging designers in this regard.
Q. What is your vision for pjMe?
Veena. To transform the way women dress whilst relaxing. Mithra. To transform the way women relax.
Q. Tell us about your idea of a fun night out? Veena. With good friends, good food and good music. Typically in some exotic city that deserves exploring. Mithra. Good company, good wine, good music.
Q. How do you like to relax? Veena. At home, in my pyjamas, with take-out for dinner and watching Netflix. It’s a true to life re-enactment of Bridget Jones. Mithra. As above or in bed with a good book.
Night time has been lit up in Stonnington with the Glow Winter Arts Festival on now.
In its fourth year, this festival of light is a showcase of the thriving local arts and culture scene. It’s a perfect excuse to get out of the house, roam around and take some cool snaps. Mix in some yummy cocktails at your favourite bar along the way and you have a great night out.
Let’s take a look at my pics!
Chapel Street
I went for an adventure on Friday to take all in, I really enjoy this event as it makes for great social media images and stories.
Chapel Street
There is plenty to see and I didn’t make it around everything. My favourite was Alice’s Garden by Mandylights in Central Park, set around a cute little water fountain. This made for a fun space to explore with giant flowers and mushrooms that flicker in rainbow colours.
Alice’s Garden in Central Park
It was like a huge flowerbed had come to life, except luckily enough just not as scary as Little Shop Of Horrors. It made for a trippy experience when at random moments music breaks out and everything changes colour in quick succession.
Bring on the warm weather so we can get our sexy on!
Check out the backstage action from Miami Swim Week. These hot snaps were taken at opening night on July 20th at the Art Hearts Fashion Event. The show featured 8 designers including: Vichi Swim, The Eight Continent, Grayson Boyd, Courtney Allegra, Hale Bob, Cirone Swim, Elie Madi and Mister Triple X.
Let’s get you in the mood for summer!
Images via Art Hearts Fashion at the Funkshion Tent.
OUT NOW! 🔥🔥🔥
I’m here to heat things up with my winter fashion report in the latest issue of Men’s Muscle & Health Magazine. Pick up a copy for the full style guide. www.mensmuscleandhealth.com.au
It was like a huge flowerbed had come to life, except luckily enough just not as scary as Little Shop Of Horrors. It made for a trippy experience when at random moments music breaks out and everything changes colour in quick succession.
Mr Fashion Man 