Fashion is Complex - Changing, The Wearer's Right - Trade Show - We Were there...

I can never understand when talking to some people and you mention fashion and; they just seem to think its a special realm for no-brain-pixies and well nothing-smart-or-intelligent could ever happen there. But the deeper I get inside of fashion; I realize just how complex it really is - and if you are going to represent fashion, visually; you need a pretty high Fashion IQ which is not an oxymoron, no its something that is incredibly rare and no doubt something of a creative gift...

My reason for clearing the air is that when you are walking around a trade show, EVERYTHING is competing for your attention. Sure you could just look for stuff you like but thats for shoppers not for stylists, commentators, buyers etc... And all 'new' designers or designers 'planning' on launching a range of anything should attend a trade show before they do anything else and meet the competition because; it is fierce!

There were of course some labels that really caught my attention the first being Francis Leon who are designing wonderfully structured Jackets in leather, leather and wool combined jackets, pants, dresses.. And all from Brisbane. I was gob smacked, "its too hot to wear this in Brisbane" I said. Thankfully they have distribution in Melbourne and no doubt here to soon...

New Zealand was powering all over - Lela Jacobs offering with elegant sleek and a little quirky Yves Klein Blue High/second Summer shirts and blouses; 'riddle me this' had sweet 'cotton ball' jackets in cool colours and pretty vintage styled dresses. Kathryn Wilson was showing her shoes, two ranges (more in a separate post to come).

It seems I do have a bit of a shoe fetish if the stands I engaged with most is anything to go by, French shoe makers Twins have a unique (I think) marketing position, buy a pair - a second pair goes to a child in need in a developing country. While Melissa make all their shoes from plastic, not a new brand but new to me.

On the home front, I had a chat to shoemaker Andrew McDonald (last portrait below) about his lovely Mens Shoes; I always find myself ogling his William St shop window, and we also discussed hats, as I was wearing my new hat! Mr Carter had almost every youth marketing to males trick in the book ticked off box by box. I also met and had a fabulous and extended chat to designer Amanda Garrett who is after many years of "going Bridal" yes that was a quote is back doing some fashion for AW12. Affordable lux Gothic inspired pieces. Sorry, no pictures, I was far to busy talking! I have provided a link below to Amanda's site, you might need to email her to see the look-book.













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The Wearer's Right

potmeetspopdenim.com
riddlemethis.co.nz
The Wearer's Right
twinsforpeace.com
mrcarter.com.au/
lelajacobs.co.n
melissaaustralia.com.au
kathrynwilson.com
francisleon.com
andrewmcdonald.com.au

amandagarrett.com

So some fabulous Brands, beautiful Fashion and clever Marketing! All at Sydney's newest fashion trade show. And did I metion I attened after spending the day as a judge for Miss Universe !~) Will wonders ever cease...

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Elodie Silberstein - Sydney Fringe 2011 - CarriageWorks

The exhibition is called IMMERSE and it is a group show at CarriageWorks, part of Sydney Fringe 2011.

Elodies work "The Lost World, 2010" is an instillation (and for the opening) a performance piece which I found to be a completely immersive and mildly disturbing experience. While the three pictures below provide some visual clues as to content of the work and some of its intimate nature, they are but clues and clues alone. The artwork itself is like some-kind-of perfect-fusion; Marcel Duchamp's 'Etant donnés', and George Bataille's 'Story of the Eye' with Grimm's fairy tail'Hansel and Gretel'. This is very much an experiential piece taking in elements of all the five senses...









And being a group show there is additional video, photographic works, Collage based works and the audience-collaborative work pictured below, 'Eleventh Hour' by 'Archrival' of trellis and thread.


I will be heading back to take another look at this exhibition before it closes on the 17th of September. CarriageWorks, Bay 19, 245 Wilson Street
Eveleigh NSW

Elodie Silberstein.

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VOGUE VFNO Sydney - The People's Fashion Night!

A people's fashion night by VOGUE! Well why not and if there was going to be a People's VOGUE Fashion's Night Out I think Sydney is a great place for it. Lets face it, in Sydney we are all a bit equally snobby which puts us all more-or-less on an equal playing field - and once you get over going naked, well its time to think about what you are going to wear - and what what you wear says about YOU!

So thank god that while doing a tour-of-duty last week on Diesel Island I noticed my poor-old much-loved Stetson 'Open Road' was no longer saying the right things about me... Fortunately the Gentlemen at Strand Hatters were able to fit me for a new Australian Akubra 'Squatter' (appropriate or what) hat which is a lovely new grey Fedora which you can see Pete putting a final spit and polish on in a picture below.

But my hat problem was and is in no way unique. And hats for men are really the same as handbags for the ladies, one is never enough! Or shoes or jewelry or skirts or dresses or anything that is fun and looks good and makes you feel like a million dollars. And there is NOTHING wrong with feeling like a million dollars at all, in fact I think if we were all walking around feeling like a million dollars the world would be a much better, much happier place indeed.

So thank you very much VOGUE for getting so many people out doing what is good for them, putting some money back into the economy and getting them looking good!

































Thanks to VOGUE, Canturi for the Gelato and Jewels, Strand Hatters, Laurent-Perrier for the lovely drinkies, Mulberry (where I ran into friend Miranda Otto whom I have not seen in person for many years), CK and their Orange Mango Vodka, all the DJs DJaying and all the lovely people I met during the evening; thanks for making Fashion in Sydney what it is.

Thanks to OMEGA for their lovely hospitality and sweet Ladymatic goodie bag.

Lets do it all again soon!

Kent Johnson
Street Fashion Sydney.

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Melanie E. Khava at Factory 49 - Richard Dunn at SNO 74

Melanie E. Khava at Factory 49


Factory 49, 49 Shepherd St Marrickville, untill Saturday 17 September.



SNO 74-Richard Dunn presents Polygon.
When: Until 25 September
Where: First Floor, 175 Marrickville Rd Marrickville


Artist in Residence Sophie Keeling in her Studio at SNO, Sophie will be exhibiting in SNO's next show.






The Sydney presentation of What is Post-Formalism? is a collaborative social project by Billy Gruner and Sarah Keighery. The audience was invited to participate in the painting performance. Ran from 26 August 4 September 497 Parramatta Road Leichhardt




Is there something in the water in the Inner West? Could be, there is a lot of Non Objective/Abstract Art happening at the moment with two great shows on right now to check out.

Factory 49
SNO Centre

Walk The Plank - At China Heights Gallery

On NOW, and a fantastic collection of stools, console tables, dining, coffee tables all made from recycled teak boats as detailed in the press release below.

"A Furniture collection designed by Michael Perry for Walk the Plank.

The collection is Hand Crafted using reclaimed woods from unseaworthy fishing vessels found around the Java Sea. A culmination of experience and eclectic aesthetic brought together to create a casual and fun environment for life. Our furniture collection represents a new beginning in the mindset of products manufactured in Indonesia"...

I loved the metal framed stools, great structures-big round head rivets, fab colours & a solid teak seat; just the thing for in the studio or, wherever! Its unusual to find industrial inspired furniture that is proportioned so well, great designs by Michael photographed by yours truly below.

And of course scroll down for some lovely fashion too, shows on this sat & sun so be quick.















Opening Friday September 2, from 5pm
Continues 12-5pm following Saturday and Sunday.


Walk The Plank

www.chinaheights.com

BIO-DIESEL ISLAND - The New Green Option...

If this campaign is meant to piss off people over a certain age, well I guess it works, well at least from a copy-writing point of view it works at pissing me off. "THE LEAST F*****D UP COUNTRY IN THE WORLD" Fuck yeah, the world IS FUCKED! I mean Hello... But is that really going to sell more jeans? I guess that depends on your demographic, the worlds sucks, I know, lets go shopping. The worlds sucks, I think i'm gunna slash my wrists!

Thank god there were plenty of Peroni Beers, no end of great catering including the biggest (but only just) paella I have ever seen, cocktails, and security to keep the wild natives of Sydney (no problem with the Melbourne or Perth ring-ins) on track and on-message for the onslaught of Diesel Island Downunder.

Special DJ Alexandra Richards spun real vinyl, The 'Pioneers' sung the anthem of the island, now that was interesting! And by and large I had a great time and meet some lovely people too. And while doing my research, I 'discovered' like a great Pioneer myself that the fantastic photography for the campaign was shot by Guy Aroch (link below), now if I could just land myself a nice little gig like the Diesel Island campaign I might be able to afford more negativity in my life too !~)






















www.guyaroch.com/
www.diesel.com/island

But then, this is fashion, we have been there before, this time its the same, same only different. A bonus tune from back-in-the-day..

The Fall of Rome & Fashion Follows - It didn't happen overnight...

Or is that the fall of fashion photography, it didn't happen overnight but it did happen! While SFS does not normally critique the bad in the world, after all, mother always said "if you haven't something nice to say dear then its best to say nothing at all". But enough I say; when that bellwether of Fashion Photography, superstar shooter Steve Meisel starts to bend to the pressures of what looks to me like; lets shoot the stills and the video together AKA, the top end of fashion is trying to save money-while hoping you will keep spending yours...

Yes I know this sort of campaign shooting business of stills with video-on-set has been going on for quite a while (& yes this seems to be video with stills (OK?)), but it has created all sorts of worrying trends. What worries me most about this campaign and you can view it yourself below, is that we have an indisputable Master of Fashion Photography; Meisel sacrificing first rate stills for second rate video. Turn down the sound and watch its not pretty. Sure its a bit of fun, nothing wrong with that. And if this is a campaign designed around the idea of; "if you can't dance at least you can wear Lanvin", then that would be great but I would be surprised if that were the case.

Lanvin Fall 2011 Campaign | Raquel Zimmermann & Karen Elson by Steven Meisel


You can view the not-what-you-would-expect stills from Steven Meisel over here at Fashion Gone Rouge, and rouge indeed it is this time!

Come on Steve; fashion needs you; lets not all have our heads turned by moving pictures, Stills still have their place and retain their power; you-can't-tell the-girls-can't-dance in a great still shot like we have come to expect from you.

So Is Fashion Photography Dead?

We will leave that for you to decide, but remember dear readers; you heard it here first at Street Fashion Sydney. Sometimes it helps to be a long way from Paris and New York!

Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Oh, and remember, its Fashion, its all been done before!