LMFF Roundup - ANT!PODiUM

Antipodium paid homage to the culture and humour of Australian indigenous artists, through a collection of fun Australiana inspired safari wear this season. Heavy utility safari pants were shown alongside soft silk dresses with indigenous prints, while hiking boots were teamed with bright pink socks. Socks and ankle boots have been redone by almost every designer showing here this week but the look at Antipodium has been my favourite so far. 

A playful element was added to the collection with cute knitted Goanna's slumped sleepily over models shoulders, and giant over sized knit scarves which appeared to weigh more than the models wearing them. I couldn't help but think the scarf would make a really cosy picnic rug. There was also lots layering and and animal prints galore. 

LMFF - Street Snaps

LMFF Roundup - Romance Was Born

It was a "Nightmare on Wall Street" at Romance Was born this season. Mixing tales of 80's office worker and damsel from a horror movie (Working Girl meets Nightmare on Elm Streetis how designers Luke Sales and Anna Plunkett describe it). Obviously this saw many references to iconic 80's dressing, with oversized power shoulders and over the top embellishments on everything from sunglasses to shoes.

Even though the collection felt a whole lot more wearable then last season, there a whole lot of crazy going on, with all the expected Romance Was Born theatrics and showmanship. The cosmic print pants, as well as the blazer with safety pin covered collar, were standouts. I was lucky enough to see that jacket up close, as one of the LMFF organisers was wearing it at the door. It was incredible, and totally D.I.Y'able.

Photo Source: Close ups courtesy of Fashionising.com

LMFF Roundup - SNACK TIME

Melbourne is amazing. It is also a maze. I didn't head the many warnings from friends to invest in a pocket map, choosing to rely on my sense of adventure. How hard can navigating around a few inner city streets be? The answer to that I've discovered is ..... BLOODY HARD. I did stop to ask several locals for directions but it seems they too haven't mastered the Melbourne grid (or should I say rabbit warren). So, I ended up eating my words along with some comfort food, as I took refuge at Degani Bakery Cafe to recompose myself. A stroke of serendipity if you ask me. It is a gorgeous little italian place with great ambience, and vantage point for people watching. I wasn't tempted by the array of amazing baked goods on offer, instead opting for a fresh fruit salad .... but im considering going back to try.

Degani Bakery Cafe is located at 550 Bourke Street

xx

LMFF Roundup - Forever New

Photo Source: Herald Sun

Forever New launched their Winter collection under a blistering Melbourne sun yesterday. Regardless I was still excited by the prospect of a black shagpile coat and Olivia Newton John black body suite, and happily would have swapped my mini shorts for some of their devine lace stockings and knitted dresses. The collection was an eclectic mix of ladylike vintage glamour with rock sensibilities; Think lace, fur, animal prints and heavy denim jackets ... lots of layering and don't go lightly on the accessories. The models glided down the runway to the angelic voice of Julia Stone with an abundance of great winter staples on offer for shoppers. From Chanel inspired chain bags, boyfriend jackets, to classic knitwear. Ohhh and did I mention ANKLE BOOTIES (probably my favourite accessory of all time).

I also went into the Forever New store in Flinders street mall to scope out how the ladies on the floor were wearing the trends. Their store has also been transformed into a parisian inspired visual feast. It feels like you are walking into a giant jewelery box, with giant strands of pearls drapped through the windows and huge vintage mirrors on every wall.

LMFF

I've taken a moment out of my perfectly coordinated victory dance to share some really exciting news. Received confirmation today that I will be blogging live from the runway at L'oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival for Runway Passport. Which means lots of illegible scribbling, drooling and dodgy amateur photography awaits me over the next week. If this years LMFF campaign is anything to go by, its going to be an amazing week.

Make sure to become a follower of Free Radical or the Runway Passport blog (http://blog.runwaypassport.com) to receive all the latest updates from Melbourne, as I will be blogging away like mad.

The countdown begins ................

xx