The winter blues are over and event season has descended upon Melbourne. Notably, Melbourne Fashion Week, running from the 21st to the 27th of October. The city is soon to be swathed in a series of panels, discussions, fashion capsules, workshops and of course, stunning runways. Discover four Australian designers who are set to partake in the Refined Edit Runway; a homage to structured tailoring, lavish details and classic silhouettes set within the Victorian magnificence of Melbourne.
Bianca Spender
A much-loved name in the Australian fashion industry, Bianca Spender inherited and honed the savoir-faire of classic womenswear from her mother, Carla Zampatti, a fashion matriarch. Spender’s carefully crafted pieces consistently exude a quiet luxury through faultless construction, discreet details and subtle prints. Power suits and silk dresses are timeless, and she knows it. Languid satin, smooth crepe, and the softest jerseys, to name a few, are fabrics that lend an ethereal fluidity to each piece. Less is undoubtedly more with Spender’s creations. Discover the Spring Collection at Melbourne Fashion Week.
Gary Bigeni
Fashion and art play beautifully on Gary Bigeni’s canvas through vibrant original designs, reflective of his effervescent personality, that are then hand-painted onto consciously sourced fabrics. Bigeni Is not one to shy away from bold colours; he lives and breathes them into his pieces, which are made in limited production runs. His bold splashes of colour stem from playing dress-ups at home, staging playground runways at school and his secret stash of outfits for his Barbies, with fabric proudly cut out from his mother’s dresses.
Mariam Seddiq
A Mariam Seddiq design is unmistakable. Catapulting her label to global recognition, Seddiq’s extravagant and fluid pieces culminate into spellbinding showcases on Australian runways. Her unique Pret-a-couture structure champions mindful consumption and production, with each garment being cut and created upon order placements. Think sweeping, statement gowns, tailored mini dresses and vintage metallic jewellery. Brides-to-be, Seddiq has your special day sorted as well.
Maara Collective
‘Maara’ refers to the ‘many hands’ involved in the creation of this womenswear resort and ready-to-wear brand, founded by Yuwaalaraay designer and creative director, Julie Shaw. Pieces feature original prints by Indigenous artists that tell stories of Country on fabric. Family and community connections are woven together in stunning flows of silk, linen and cotton, ideal for your next Australian summer staycation, or a lazy afternoon at Bondi Beach.
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