Street Fashion Sydney: Andrew McDonald

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Strand Arcade - 15th Annual Meet The Designers Night.

The Strand Arcade turned on all its charm for the 15th Annual Evening with our Designers night. It's always great to see the Strand in party mode and last Wednesday was no exception.
Plenty of designers to meet, Lisa Dempsey and Jacqueline Hunt of Jac + Jack and Nic Briand from LIFEwithBIRD, Dion Lee, Kit Willow, Miranda and Elektra Kilbey of Say Lou Lou, Justin Lack, Leona Edmiston, author and stylist Jeff Lack signing his new book IndulGENT. And of course, complimentary nibbles and drinks! My favourite of the night was the Balvenie Double Wood 12 year old single malt at the Balvenie Bar outside the Strand Hatters, my favourite shop in the Strand, we also tasted cocktails with Australian Four Pillars Gin up at mister mister - fabulous, Brown Brothers Prosecco and Solerno Fizz. As usual I did my mixing with you the people; the pictures say it all; Happy 15th Designers night Strand Arcade!

Famed and Framed at the Strand! The Strand Arcade, Evening with our Designers. Photography by Kent Johnson.

VIP treatment for vivalaViv blogger. The Strand Arcade, Evening with our Designers. Photography by Kent Johnson.

Patrons and arcade view on level one. The Strand Arcade, Evening with our Designers. Photography by Kent Johnson.

Cocktails with the Australian made Four Pillars Gin, The Strand Arcade, Evening with our Designers. Photography by Kent Johnson.

The man and the Four Pillars Gin, The Strand Arcade, Evening with our Designers. Photography by Kent Johnson.

Robert and Jeff Lack in conversation (from above) at the Gentleman's Hub, The Strand Arcade, Evening with our Designers. Photography by Kent Johnson.

Models for the Amy Taylor collection at The Strand Arcade, Evening with our Designers. Photography by Kent Johnson.

its about shopping and great clothes. The Strand Arcade, Evening with our Designers. Photography by Kent Johnson.

Mens' business at the Strand Hatters, The Strand Arcade, Evening with our Designers. Photography by Kent Johnson.

Jac + Jack store, The Strand Arcade, Evening with our Designers. Photography by Kent Johnson.

Andrew McDonald working the leather, The Strand Arcade, Evening with our Designers. Photography by Kent Johnson.

LIFEwithBIRD, everyone in the picture please - The Strand Arcade, Evening with our Designers. Photography by Kent Johnson.

Four happy models for the Amy Taylor collection at The Strand Arcade, Evening with our Designers. Photography by Kent Johnson.

Music DJ's The Strand Arcade, Evening with our Designers. Photography by Kent Johnson.

The Balvenie Bar and the Double Wood 12 year old single malt whisky. The Strand Arcade, Evening with our Designers. Photography by Kent Johnson.

The Balvenie Double Wood 12 year old single malt whisky. The Strand Arcade, Evening with our Designers. Photography by Kent Johnson.

Johnel with Strand Hatter customer and blogger Vivienne of vivalaViv. The Strand Arcade, Evening with our Designers. Photography by Kent Johnson.

Johnel & Viv & (behind) how my panama used to look!

www.strandarcade.com.au/

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Kent Johnson, Sydney, Australia.

0433 796 863

kent@artcommunication.com.au

www.kentjohnsonphotography.com.au

www.fashionphotographysydney.blogspot.com/

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Monday, September 26, 2011

Bespoke Fashion Sydney - William Street Laneway Festival 2011

William St Paddington is Sydney's Fashion Street. I have been coming here for years and years often with a friend or stylist in tow.. These first portraits below are from the William Street Ateliers, yes - fashion made right here, made for you, designed-checked-fitted, and made right here in William Street. Neil Grigg and hats that set mens hearts racing on the head of their favourite filly. Andrew McDonald's fabulous and creatively designed leather shoes and bags; the moment you walk through the door you can smell all that real leather. Sylvia Chan, who (unless you have some kind of magical power of persuasion) only makes a dress once, because why would you do the same thing twice. Can you say Couturier... And I think we can all see what is happening at Matthew Lawrence Bespoke..

That of course is not the end of the handmade on William Street Paddington but if you are in a bit more of a rush, there is no shortage of designers and labels to take your pick from. I'm not going to go crazy trying to describe which-what-wear; you can choose. I do wonder though; even with the sun playing hide-and-seek all day Saturday, if opening up the street to pedestrian traffic in a more full time manner might not be a good idea. Perhaps even if it were simply from 9 till 5... No doubt that will stir the pot a bit; with pros & cons, of dropping things to the door...

And while as with any (or is that every) fashion event there were some DJs DJing. STOP. Listen. There was also the beautiful strains of the Bach Cello Suites floating down and following you along, being played on the street by the equally beautiful Markela Panegyres, who apparently comes all the way from Perth. What are they putting in the water over there.. So here it all is; Lingerie and Shoes, the Casual to what-we-wear when-we-go-out; boutique and bespoke; it's all here. The only real Fashion Street; William Street Paddington in Sydney? Take a trip, take your time; you decide.

Portrait of Neil Grigg, in his millinery store and workshop, Paddington Sydney