Melbourne Fashion Festival 2012 8-15th March

With fashion week’s in full swing across the globe, 8th – 15th March sees the return of L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival 2012. An amazing launch pad to showcase the finest Australian designers that are keeping the Australian fashion industry alive, whilst featuring talks from industry insiders and high street contributions.

This week long festival inspires and connects designers, retailers, shoppers and people within the fashion industry, in a week of fashion filled activities. Established in 1997, Melbourne Fashion Festival is now in its 17th year featuring catwalk shows, a National Graduate Showcase, Fashion Industry forums, along with exhibitions and events all linking to the week.

L’Oreal Paris are responsible for the runway fashion shows running this week, many presented by big names in the fashion publication arena, such as Vogue.com, InStyle and Grazia. The catwalk shows feature numerous designers, saving time for running around the shows in other cities, with 7 runway shows across the week featuring designers such as Alex Perry, Camilla and Marc, Joveeba and Nicola Finetti.

The week also houses the Independent Runway featuring bold, innovative and edgy collections from designers such as Extinct, Jolet and Song for the Mute. Burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese will also premiering her lingerie line ‘Von Follies by Dita Von Teese’ for Target Australia.

Aside from the amazing fashion shows, the week also gives way for classes and demonstrations and lectures and forums, such as the ‘QV Lunchtime Style Series’, a series of workshops by Melbourne fashion insiders regarding the biggest fashion and home trends. There are many new exhibitions and fashion film events taking place, including the welcome launch of the Grace Kelly: Style Icon exhibition.

Originally housed at the V&A museum in London, Grace Kelly: Style Icon, explores the style evolution of Princess Grace of Monaco, giving attendees the chance to get up close and personal with pieces of Kelly’s personal wardrobe including haute couture gowns. Although a small exhibition in the UK, it’s a wonderful experience to view her jewels and clothes so closely.

If you fancy getting some new threads whilst clearing out your wardrobe, then the Clothing Exchange could be the place for you. The Exchange takes place on the 12th March, and can allow fashionistas the chance to swap up to six pieces of clothing or accessories whilst bagging themselves some goodies.

The whole city will be involved over Melbourne Fashion Festival, with many high street retailers giving up their street facing windows to local design talent in order to create new and eye-catching window displays. Look for the Peroni blue ribbon around the city to spot those windows.

Melbourne is set to be a super fashionable hive of activity over its Fashion Week whether it’s sitting at a fashion show, feeding your intellect at talks and conferences, or simply checking out exhibitions to get into the fashion week feeling, there is absolutely something for everybody.

There’s so much to offer, so head over to the Melbourne Fashion Festival website (www.lmff.com.au) and download yourself the guide which will give you the details on all the events and shows available. Now excuse us, we’re heading to dust off our finest pieces to rock this Melbourne Fashion Festival 2012.

By David Mahoney