Telstra Perth Fashion Festival, Western Australia’s largest annual fashion event, launched its 2014 program in August - and it’s set to be the most enticing yet
It’s the gold standard clothes horse event that all fashionistas in Perth look forward to each year.
Scheduled to unfold in September at its new Perth Concert Hall location, the six-day fashion extravaganza will feature the creative wares of over 30 established and up-and-coming, local, national and international designers on their main runway at Fashion Paramount.
On top of that a multitude of Perth’s fashion retail precincts will also showcase current collections from their in-house retailers with Forest Chase, Brookfield Place, Raine Square, enex100 and Perth-based online retailer Hello Parry confirmed as Fashion Central mainstays.
WA’s crème de la crème of threads and accessories will impress guests and industry insiders, with newcomers such as 33poets, Apate, Asuar, Convict Designs, Emily Muco, Ethel & Leo, Morgan Marks, Sara Winfield Swim and ZED Alliance all on the list to showcase across a number of free and ticketed runways and installations throughout the week.
Festival favourites such as ae’lkemi, Bhalo, Bruug, Catini Designs, Empire Rose, Flannel, Katherine Dunmill, Manning Cartell, Monster Alphabets, Morrison, One Fell Swoop, Steph Audino, Tindale, Wild Horses and Zhivago will return for yet another year - while a special honorary fashion showcase of legendary designer Ruth Tarvydas is set to take place off-site on September 19 at Ascot Racecourse.
Now in its 16th year, TPFF aims to provide designers and the local fashion industry an annual platform by nurturing and mentoring them throughout the year leading up to and proceeding the festival.
Over 35,000 guests attended last year’s festival, and this year’s attendance levels are set to soar.
WHAT’S NEW
Alex Perry is set to thrill guests, taking to the runway for the ‘Galvanised - Ultimate Show-Stoppers’ off-site Ascot Racecourse showcase alongside 33poets, Empire Rose, Manning Cartell and Zhivago on September 19 at 9.30pm.
New Zealand heavyweights and Festival newcomers, NOM*D and Zambesi will present their cutting-edge designs at the ‘3,300 Miles Apart’ Fashion Paramount Runway, along with the solidified silhouettes of Morrison and One Fell Swoop on September 18 at 6pm.
City Street Style is an innovative new concept where the Telstra Fashion Force will be on the streets selecting the most eye-catching looks from across Perth’s CBD. Perth’s most stylish members of the public will have the chance to win stylish packages and feature on TPFF’s City Street Style web page.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
TPFF’s VIP Opening Night is always remarkable, and with ae’lkemi set to wave the home flag for Western Australia at this year’s ‘International Runway - Beyond Imagination’ showcase, presented by TABTouch, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Showcasing his award-winning gowns and red carpet show-stoppers, designer Alvin Fernandez will be joined by two of FIDé Fashion Week’s leading Asian couture and high fashion designers Sebastian Gunawan and Michael Cinco. Best known for their celebrity clientele, including such A-listers as Lady Gaga, Tyra Banks and Naomi Cambell, both designers have had remarkable careers working with Dubai-based Filipino designer Michael Cinco, who will transform Fashion Paramount with his breathtaking and opulently over-the-top designs and fabrics.
Highlighting Ruth’s most extraordinary designs, including that famous red dress which Rebecca Judd (née Twigley) wore to the Brownlow Medal Awards in 2004, the ‘Ruth Tarvydas – A Celebration’ runway will pay tribute to the iconic West Australian designer and her incredible 40-year career.
Showcasing the much-missed designer’s trademark sultry designs, rumour has it that a number of high-profile clientele and friends will take to the catwalk to collectively commemorate on September 19 at 7pm. There will also be a special free to the public exhibition of Ruth’s most remarkable designs which will go on display at Brookfield place on St Georges Terrace from September 22.
Finally, widely known for her international stamp on kaftans and free flowing signature silhouettes and prints, Camilla Franks will present her Spring/Summer 2014 collection ‘In the Name of Tribe’, with, no doubt, a standing ovation.
This runway showstopper will not only captivate the audience visually with floor-length, cascading one-off silk chiffon and crepe designs, but it will also draw onlookers in with its attention to detail, embellished Swarovski crystals encrusted throughout and topped off with a spiritual twist of striking dimensions, limitless energy and decorative face and head jewellery to astound. If you want awe-inspiring and mesmerising, then Camilla will certainly deliver.
Boasting 46 world-class events, tickets to Telstra Perth Fashion Festival 2014 are on sale now from their website at telstraperthfashionfestival.com.au
