LMFF Paris Runway 1 presented by Grazia

L’Oréal Paris Runway 1 – Central Pier Monday 15th March 6.30pm
I had the pleasure of sitting next to stylist Kate Gaskin and stylist / TV reporter Dhav Naidu at Runway 1 to watch Alice McCall, Camilla & Marc, Collette Dinnigan, Fleur Wood, LIFEwithBIRD, Nicola Finetti, Sass & Bide and Toni Maticevski show their Autumn Winter Collections as presented by Grazia.

• Film integration with runway IS the next big thing! A moody film shot for Grazia starring Louise Van De Vorst played on the screens as the models took to the new long stage. 
• The heels were most certainly teetering as the models took to the stage. When will stylists learn, yes heels are great, but let these girls walk in something sturdy so they can walk confidently?
• Where were the happy, smiling models? Given this year’s campaign is all about getting happy, I was expecting more fun and frivolity on the catwalk.
• Cassie Van Dungen, Samantha Harris (who is simply stunning in the flesh) Laura Scaife (New Zealand’s Next Top Model runner up) and Vanessa Milde (The next Elle McPherson according Dhav Naidu) all featured on the catwalk.
• The styling for the whole parade was a bit ‘blinged’ up for my liking. With such talented designers like this group, not much adornment is required to make their designs shine.
• Key trends – black, metallic armour detailing, layers of black textures, fringing, grey marle, lace and brocade florals, military detailing and ankle boots.

LMFF opening party

It seems that the fashion world has gone gaga for Alice in Wonderland (Tim Burton must be so proud)! The mix of fairytale whimsy, fantasy and over the top costumes has captured many a fashionista heart, including Harpers Bazaar it seems!

So when this little Alice turned up to the Government house yesterday on a fine and sunny Sunday afternoon it truly felt like I had fallen down the rabbit hole into a world of decadence, whimsy and fantasy fashion blurred into one!
The parade curated by Harpers Bazaar featured Colette Dinnigan, Akira Isagowa, Dion Lee and Sass & Bide (to name a few of the fabulous Australian designers involved).  Each designer took fairytale heroines as muses for their creations from Ali Baba, Snow White, Minnie Mouse and of course Alice in Wonderland!

The fashions were (as you would expect) a mix of sophistication (Emma Van Handaal, Rebecca Twigley) high glamour (Lindy Klim’s gold brocade ensemble) and costume fun (Richard Nylon, Gail Sorronda and Romance was Born).  Black was the order of the day (although held in Melbourne, I was surprised to see so much of it) with cream textured layers a close second and many a stylish ankle boot was chosen avoiding a stiletto sinking into the government house lawn!

On a sentimental note, the acknowledgement and significant contribution of Karen Webster as Festival Director (who is finishing up her role with LMFF after this festival) was moving and heartfelt and she will be sorely missed!