The world’s biggest fashion event returns with a few unexpected trends making a comeback

AS the world’s biggest fashion shopping event returns to Melbourne and Sydney, a few trends are making a new season comeback.

And so it begins: Melbourne will host the first of Vogue Fashion’s Night Out Friday, with American Express on board as the naming sponsor. Hello VAEFNO!

THEY’RE back. The fashion trends you may have thought had gone away or made their way to style heaven. Never to be seen again. Well, giddy up, they’re on.

Tartan and checks. Crochet and lots of dots and spots.

They are all back and ready to be spotted at the Vogue American Express Fashion’s Night Out, (VAEFNO) which is returning for the second year to Melbourne on Friday night.

The night, which will take place throughout the Melbourne CBD will help to officially launch Melbourne Spring Fashion Week (MSFW) as part of its opening night celebrations.

This year’s official Vogue American Express Fashion’s Night Out T-shirt designed by Bassike. Pic: Supplied

“After such a great success last year for our very first Fashion’s Night Out Melbourne, we are thrilled to be back with an even bigger celebration on Friday,” says Vogue Australia editor-in-chief Edwina McCann.

“I can’t wait to show Melbourne shoppers what’s in store this year.

“We’ve been obsessed by the Olympics at Vogue and so sports have inspired our theme for this year. The significance of global events like the Olympics is undeniable and has such an incredible impact on all facets of life and fashion is certainly not exempt.

“From luxury houses to high street fashion brands, apparel, accessories and home wares — everyone is still getting into the Olympic spirit.

“At Vogue, we certainly couldn’t be prouder of our Australian Olympic team and look forward to celebrating their achievements in Rio with our very special once-a-year VIP shopping event in Melbourne Friday then in Sydney on September 1.”

The Sydney event will mark the 7th annual Vogue American Express Fashion’s Night Out and it’s an event that is bigger each year.

“I can’t wait to show Sydney shoppers what’s in store this year. Our presenting partner American Express is offering $20 back on any $50 purchase made with your American Express card — you can use this offer up to three times so you can buy more,” adds McCann.

Australia kicks off the global Fashion’s Night Out celebrations which will this year be celebrated in 20 cities including Rio de Janeiro, Shanghai, Berlin, Milan, Tokyo, Madrid, Amsterdam, Moscow and Mexico City.

At this year’s one-night-only event, shoppers can expect live entertainment, special offers, celebrities, fashion industry VIPs and exclusive runway shows. The champagne will be flowing as the Melbourne CBD comes to life in celebration of our Australian Olympic team.

According to Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doble, MSFW continues to grow as the city grows and showcases the best Melbourne has to offer in fashion, shopping, entertainment and hospitality.

“It is a great boost for our local industry with 85 per cent of the content sourced from Melbourne and Victoria. In 2015 more than 60,000 people attended MSFW, contributing more than $8 million to Melbourne’s economy, more than double the economic impact of the festival in 2014,’ ‘he said.

THE trends to watch:

•Crochet: Luxury labels showing this trend: Oscar, Mcqueen, Balmain, Valentino, Chanel, Max Azria, Moschino, Missoni, Peter Pilotto

• Checks and tartans: Luxury labels showing this trend: Louis Vuitton, Altuzarra, Fendi, Dsquared2, Fausto Pugisli, Phillip Plein, Monse, Marc Jacobs, Miu Miu.

• Spot on: Polkadots are being seen on luxury labels like Calvin Klein, Gucci, Carolina Herrera, Monse, Michael Kors, Oscar de la renta, Rosetta Getty, and Zac Posen.

• Trackstar: athleisure is being sported by Givenchy, Bally, Rag & Bone, Fendi, Tory Burch, Off White, Ports 1961, and Maison Margiela.

• Folkloric Flair: The folkie gypsy vibe has been embraced by Coach, Gucci, Ellery, McQueen, Valentino, Sonia Rykiel, Giambattista Valli, Louis Vuitton, and Fendi.

“We’re excited to bring together our large network of Melbourne fashion retailers and our American Express Card Members to offer them an exclusive shopping experience at Vogue American Express Fashion’s Night Out,” said American Express Australia Managing Director, Rachel Stocks.

Champagne will be flowing as the Melbourne CBD comes to life in celebration of our Australian Olympic team as shoppers will be able to get into the Olympic spirit with a Vogue gymnast ring and skipping activation, a Vogue basketball court and an Olympic style podium. Even Vogue-branded merchandise including towels, tote bags, basketballs and water bottles will also be available for purchase from Vogue pods throughout the city.

The Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne Susan Riley will join Edwina McCann, the Vogue team and special guest performer Jess Kent as the official proceedings kick off in Bourke Street Mall at 5pm.

Presenting partner American Express will host American Express Card Members in their lounge pop up in Bourke Street Mall with card members be able to be can recharge, relax and refresh by dropping by the lounge for a glass of champagne and glam up at the beauty bar.

Official retail partner for the fourth year, David Jones will once again host the city’s most anticipated party for Vogue American Express Fashion’s Night Out. David Jones will host a night of style and entertainment with activities including fashion shows, pop-up bars, workshops, guest DJ’s, special offers, beauty treatments and an exclusive Neil Perry dining experience.

Shoppers can unwind at the ‘Vogue Wellbeing’ zone and get up close and personal with their favourite designers and fashion VIPs while Samsung Electronics Australia are inviting shoppers to experience high fashion through the Samsung Studio and have their VAEFNO look professionally captured by a fashion photographer using the precision optics, outstanding lowlight performance and blazing fast autofocus of the Samsung Galaxy S7, ready to share on social media.

The team behind the label, Bassike, Mary Lou Ryan and Deborah Sams have once again collaborated with the Vogue Australia team on the design of the official 2016 VAEFNO T-shirt on their signature organic cotton jersey. The exclusive VAEFNO T-shirt (RRP$130) will be available to purchase from select bassike and David Jones stores and from davidjones.com.au.

• For more information and to plan your night, shoppers are encouraged to visit vogue.com.au/FNO and @vogueaustralia #VAEFNO #VFNO

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Originally published as The world’s biggest fashion event returns with a few unexpected trends making a comeback