Vogue American Express Fashion’s Night Out: October 19 and 26
As the festive season approaches, designers and editors alike are weighing on how to dress to stand out, in line with Vogue’s biggest shopping event.
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We’re only midway through spring, but it’s hard to shake the feeling that summer has already arrived. That’s because the next few months are set to deliver balmy heat, unlike the past few La Nina years, which were punctuated by wet weather.
Such a change requires our wardrobes to meet the moment, and fashion insiders such as designer Rebecca Vallance are excited about the opportunity for switching things up.
“We say that overdressed is always better than underdressed – who doesn’t want to be the most glamorous person in the room!” the Australian designer says.
Vallance’s brand is one of a handful of labels featuring in Vogue American Express Fashion’s Night Out, a shopping event coming to Sydney and Melbourne with exclusive offers on major brands, as well as a live runway show and entertainment.
“Vogue American Express Fashion’s Night Out will be a very special celebration of shopping, fashion and beauty this year as we seek to support the fashion sector through a runway to retail strategy,” says Edwina McCann, Vogue Australia’s editorial director and publisher.
The festivities are free to attend, and shoppers are privy to one-off sales, ideal for investing in staples to fit the new season – the kind of thing Vallance is well-versed in. Her party-friendly pieces embrace bold colour and unique textures to make the wearer stand out effortlessly; fans include Lady Gaga and Elsa Pataky, among others.
“(At Rebecca Vallance) we’re seeing a return to suiting for a tailored look,” the designer shares, and mentions her Claire tweed suit, which features breezy cut-outs in the fabric to counter its thick composition.
However, the pendulum swings both ways, and designers of the moment also account for customers who prefer to keep it simple.
This is in line with trends of the moment; Kaila Matthews, Vogue’s senior fashion and market editor, says the minimalism that appeared on recent runways in Milan and Paris provides new inspiration for how to reimagine your wardrobe for summer.
“As we’re seeing in the spring/summer 2024 shows, understated minimalist silhouettes are presenting a change of pace, countering the bold glamour that’s dominated the past few years,” Matthews says.
“To stand out, keep it simple; a column dress or beautiful shirting will be lifelong staples.”
By the same token, Australian brand Aje stripped back to the fundamentals for its most recent collection, Element.
In it, the label’s signature bold colours were dialled back and replaced with subtler ones, which drew eyes to the cuts and finishes of the garments. Take a pearlescent silk suit with its sleeves omitted, a perfect outfit for braving the summer heat.
This energy was matched by fellow local brand Albus Lumen’s resort collection, which includes ethereal, flowy dresses in black and white, and puts forward the concept of unisex tailored suits fit for languid summer days.
“I wanted to make twisted, classical suits, like the high-neck, round-collar blazer – a bit more ‘fashion’,” designer Marina Afonina told Vogue.
“It feels timeless, but it’s not your typical suit you see in department stores.”
This time of year has long been synonymous with new beginnings and clean slates; the terms “spring cleaning” and “spring awakening” point to the mantra of trying something new.
With Vogue American Express Fashion’s Night Out, now’s the time to find your own fashion moment.
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