Designers stun at Cairns Fashion Week’s Paradise Reloaded showcases

Far North Queensland’s biggest fashion event has delivered a spectacular showcase of 30 designers, putting the region’s designers on the map and proving Cairns’ status as an emerging fashion destination.

Sonlia designers Angela Moriconi and Liana Hastie walk with models after showing their designs at Cairns Fashion Week's final designer showcase runway show. Picture: Brendan Radke

Local designers took centre stage at Far North Queensland’s biggest fashion event, proving Cairns’ rise as a fashion destination.

Cairns Fashion Week held two showcases on Friday and Saturday night at the DFO shopping centre, spotlighting 30 designers from the Far North, Australia-wide and overseas.

The theme was Paradise Reloaded, a dark, moody spin on the classic tropical theme.

Founder Jade Turnbull said the energy was “electric”.

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“It was amazing – the designer collections were striking and proved Cairns is a true fashion destination,” she said.

“The designers were incredibly grateful, whether they were showcasing for the first time or were established, and I really hope it gives them a stepping stone to success.”

A model showcases a design by Flying Dresses at Cairns Fashion Week's final designer showcase runway show. Picture: Brendan Radke

Cairns brand The Lover’s Cove made their CFW debut on Saturday night, showcasing 10 pieces from their collection of women’s resort wear and matching kidswear.

Founder Melanie King said the event was a great way to get her brand’s name out there and showcase her creativity.

The Lover's Cove designer Melanie King and her daughter Matilda King, 3, walk with models after showing their collection at Cairns Fashion Week's final designer showcase runway show. Picture: Brendan Radke

“A lot of resort wear is so beautiful but so unsuitable for the tropics,” Ms King said.

“So I wanted to make clothes that I love to wear – easy and breezy but bright and colourful,” she said.

“I also think women’s bodies fluctuate so much and I hate it when clothes don’t make us feel really great about ourselves, so all of my clothes are really adjustable with lots of ties, shirring and elastic.”

Junior and senior models showcase outfits from Cairns fashion label The Lover's Cove at Cairns Fashion Week's final designer showcase runway show. Picture: Brendan Radke

Mareeba-based Sonlia Fashion also debuted a collection at the Saturday showcase titled “Fashion with a Purpose”, with each piece telling a story about embracing your true self.

“Young girls these days feel like they need to fit into boxes to fit in,” owner and designer Liana Hastie said.

“The collection is about being your authentic self and being proud of who you are and not worrying about judgement.

A model showcases a design by Far North Queensland designer Sonlia at Cairns Fashion Week's final designer showcase runway show. Picture: Brendan Radke

“I wanted it to mean something to the audience and for the pieces to connect through feeling.”

Ms Hastie said it was extremely rewarding to see her finished collection on the catwalk after spending so long working on it, and emphasised the importance of CFW for the region’s designers.

“It’s so great we have this platform,” she said.

“It’s really hard to get to the cities to show our pieces, so it’s amazing we can show them locally.”

Originally published as Designers stun at Cairns Fashion Week’s Paradise Reloaded showcases