Fight heats up for Brisbane’s best dressed

There’s a new fashion awards show in Brisbane - and the contest is fierce to take out the title of Brissy’s best dressed. All the A-list gossip and social pictures from the week.

THE SCOOP

BRISSY’S BEST DRESSED?

Was there ever a more glamorous or exciting awards night in Brisbane than the old RAQ Fashion Awards? Presented by the Retailers Association of Queensland and televised around the state the glittering evening was held at Brisbane City Hall, which was always packed tighter than a can of sardines with the city’s most fashionable folk.

Until the awards folded in 2009, it was one of the hottest tickets of the year if you could get one. It was where our local design talent the likes of Keri Craig Lee, Daniel Lightfoot and Julie Tengdahl became Queensland fashion icons. In the last decade a few have tried to bring fashion industry awards back to the Sunny State but with scant success.

Icon Group founders Cathie Reid and Stuart Giles. Cathie will be a special guest at a new fashion event. Picture: Mark Cranitch

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Now there is hope in the form of the Women in Fashion Brisbane Awards that are being held Friday at a sold-out long lunch event at GOMA’s rooftop. Though the RAQ’s were just for fashion designers, the WIFB Awards feature nine fashion industry-related categories for 2020 that include Most Notable Designer, Top Fashion Model, Leading Stylist, Standout Fashion Event and one category that has created the largest buzz amongst Brissy fashionistas…the Brisbane’s Best Dressed Award.

The category will be hotly contested with nominees that include some of the River City’s best-known style mavens such as Liz Golding, Dale Olsson, Tracey Mathers, and Upma Kite. The event will see powerhouse businesswoman (and one of the city’s most stylish women) Cathie Reid as special guest for a Q&A about her love of fashion and enviable experiences as a regular guest of Paris Fashion Week.

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FASHION FORCE

So who’s the force behind Brissy’s new fashion awards and the national Women in Fashion global initiative that aims to support women working in all facets of the industry? It’s none other than the woman who founded Brisbane Fashion Month, Carly Vidal-Wallace.

Women in Fashion founders Isabelle Lineham and Carly Vidal-Wallace. Picture: Sharleen Christie

Having sold BFM to current festival director Laura Churchill in 2018 and after a stint in Los Angeles, Vidal-Wallace returned last year to Brisbane with her husband Vincent Vidal and their two sons. The West End-based fashion curator, writer and marketing strategist said she and WIF co-founder Isabelle Lineham felt there was a void in Brisbane for events that brought people from all areas of the fashion industry together.

“The moment I was back in Brisbane the questions and emails started…(people) needing advice on collections, on social media strategy, on where to find good garment technicians…it made me realise that there’s still not a great place for women in fashion to come together in a non-judgemental way to meet and mingle and learn and grow through networking.” says Vidal-Wallace. She adds: “We also need a great excuse to get dressed up and celebrate our industry together.”

The duo has been overwhelmed by the reaction to the awards having received over 1000 nominations from the public as well as the huge demand for tickets for Friday’s event.

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HOLLYWOOD GLAM

Sallyanne Astill’s third collection for eponymous label, Astille, has launched to an exclusive audience at Brisbane’s Dutch Courage.

Sallyanne Astill. Picture: Claudia Baxter Photography

The collection draws inspiration from the 1942 Hollywood Glam classic, “Casablanca,” infused with contemporary design elements, fit and flare dresses, palazzo pants, silky separates with a juxtapose of utility and intricate detailing. There’s also a beaded ceramic brooch which represents the iconic spotlight that is seen throughout the movie.

Designed for “the glamorous and sophisticated”, pieces feature utilitarian accents, cinched waists and intricate tile prints, with a nod to vibrant spice market tones.

“I spent months drawing parallels with today’s coronavirus-induced world creating separation and isolation and a strain on our relationships. For me, the collection represents a chance to rebuild and create a new connection with ourselves and those around us,” Sallyann Astill says.

A second high summer instalment, due for release in early 2021, is also inspired by sun-drenched Moroccan days.

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MIRACLE BABY

Sunshine Coast fashion blogger Bev Williams has collaborated with Australian fashion label Philosophy Australia to release a limited edition wrap shirt - with a percentage of profits donated to Miracles Babies Foundation.

Bev Williams in her wrap shirt.

Before emigrating from the UK, Bev - who boasts almost 40,000 followers on her Instagram account, @irismaystyle - had her own bridal boutique and designed a label of wedding dresses, so she jumped at the change to “dabble in design again”.

“I worked with Ali Lennard from Philosophy to design a special linen wrap top as part of her ‘Sprinkling Kindness’ project; it’s a classic piece that can be dressed up or down and worn all year round,’’ she says.

“I’m so proud to be supporting Australian-designed and made fashion.’’

As part of the “Sprinkling Kindness’ collaboration, $20 from the sale of each blouse will be donated to Bev’s charity of choice, the Miracle Babies Foundation.

“My daughter Beckie was born 28 years ago, at 28 weeks gestation. She is my miracle; she was born extremely tiny and with several life threatening health issues, she also weighed under a kilo,’’ she says.

LOOK OF THE WEEK

Event: Brisbane’s Summer of Racing Launch

Location: The Calile, Fortitude Valley

Look of the Week: Carlie Green-Medina.

Name: Carlie Green-Medina

Suburb: Chandler

Occupation: GM of Sales & Marketing (Brisbane Racing Club)

Dress: Sass & Bide

Boots: Wittner

Clutch: Marcs

Earrings: Witchery

Style Icon: Sophia Loren

Picture: Jared Vethaak

EVENT OF THE WEEK

Queensland Ballet’s Giselle

HOTA, Surfers Paradise

Mary Li and Artistic Director Li Cunxin at Giselle. Picture: Stephen Archer

It doesn’t get much better than witnessing the extremely talented dancers of the Queensland Ballet in a performance under the stars on a beautiful Spring evening at the Gold Coast. And so it was for the hundreds who converged on the Home of the Arts around its outdoor stage for the opening night of the esteemed ballet company’s three-show run of Giselle.

Jessamy and Isabella Berg at Giselle. Picture: Stephen Archer

Many chose to start the evening off with dinner at the HOTA Café with VIP guests treated to a pre-show cocktail function with both artistic director Li Cunxin and GC Lord Mayor Tom Tate delivering welcome speeches. The magnificent open-air performance was staged by Ai-Gui Gaisina and featured dancers Yanela Piñera and Victor Estévez in the classical work’s principal roles.

Pictures: Stephen Archer