Boutique Runway

The annual Melbourne Fashion Festival, which started twelve years ago, commences on Sunday. Over 1000 guests attended the launch party of the Melbourne Fashion Festival organised at the Government house. The guest list, of the 1950’s theme Cocktail party, comprises of top models, socialites, Hollywood actresses and politicians. In fact, unlike fashion weeks and fashion shows where fashion editors are given the seats at the front row, the water ministers and transport ministers were occupying the seats at the front row. Hollywood actress Miranda Otto who was dressed in exquisite red Nicola Finetti dress, Supermodels Doutzen Kroes and Kristy Hinze were among the celebrities who attended the show. A wonderful show was presented by swing dancing couples, who were dressed in the creations of designers like Toni Maticevski, Ksubi, Romance Was Born, Wayne Cooper, Wheels & Doll Baby and Alex Perry.

Melbourne Fashion Festival is completely different from the fashion weeks. Where only invited guests and press can attend the Fashion Weeks, Melbourne Fashion Festival is open for everyone who can buy tickets. The Director of Melbourne Fashion Festival, Karen Webster, says the aim of the festival is to create awareness about fashion among the people walking on the street, but the fact is only few, of those walking on the streets, can afford these tickets.  The Melbourne Fashion festival comprises of runway shows, cultural programs, business seminars and food and wine events. Organisers say that the tickets to most of the shows are already sold out. 

Models from Australia have set ramp on fire across the world. Aussie models are in great demand at popular fashion weeks around the world. Although this is not the first time that Australian models are making it big in the fashion industry. Australian model Gemma Ward, who started her career at the age of 15, five years ago, is all set to retire from the fashion industry on high note. More than dozen models, some famous, and some less, are ready to fill her shoes in the fashion industry.

Top on the list are Catherine McNeil and Abbey Lee Kershaw. Where Catherine McNeil is on top of her career, Abbey Lee Kershaw has just tasted the success in the fashion industry. Models like McNeil charge $ 50, 000 for a single show and Abbey Lee Kershaw is walking towards the same target. Kershaw bagged the exclusive Gucci’s contract during Milan Fashion after walking the ramp for the top labels in the London and the New York Fashion Week. In fact, Kershaw walked the ramp for 31 labels during the New York Fashion Week. This Melbourne girl entered in to the fashion industry after winning the Girlfriend Magazine model search in 2004. However, she suddenly came in light after being featured in new Dolce and Gabbana campaign. The 19 year model is as busy as a bee during the Paris Fashion week, as she can be spotted flying from one show to another. She even opened the show for famous couture label Givenchy.