City finds place on fashion map

EVEN a last minute change of location couldn't stop the finale of the Ipswich Fashion Week from being a huge success.

Amber Wilson, Corrin Lambie and Mel Oldenburg were models at the Carnivale. Picture: Sarah Harvey

EVEN a last minute change of location couldn't stop the finale of the Ipswich Fashion Week from being a huge success.

After a fire at The Workshops Rail Museum on Monday, the Vintage Carnivale was forced to move from the site's Powerhouse to the cattle pavilion at the Ipswich Showgrounds.

Despite the major change of venue, event co-ordinator Louisa Janke said the Carnivale had been a fantastic end to the fashion week.

"The entire fashion week was a real success," she said.

"There was a lot of excitement from people seeing new things in Ipswich."

The Vintage Carnivale included a runway show and fashion showcases, both of the highest quality.

"The calibre of the runway show was definitely one of the highlights," Ms Janke said.

The show included Ms Janke's own local collection, Vintage by Lou Lou.

The works were inspired by the styles of the 1960s and the hit TV show Mad Men.

Along with Vintage by Lou Lou, other designers were featured including Ipswich designer Rachael Elizabeth Tilbury's Archella label.

Ms Tilbury described her clothes as "ultra-feminine" with a "heavy vintage feel".

Ms Janke said despite the last minute venue change, the Carnivale had been a great success.

"There were a few minor hiccups, but overall it went very well," she said.

"A lot of work went into making sure it went well.

"I really feel it was fantastic in that regard."

The week was Ipswich's first fashion week and Ms Janke is determined it will be far from the last.

She said after such a successful week she was already looking forward to next year's events.

"We're absolutely going to be holding it again," she said.

"It's something we want to grow bigger and better.

"A lot of people turned up from outside Ipswich this year, and it's not something people expect to have here, so it's about changing perceptions as well."

Along with the Carnivale, the fashion week included the Babes on Bikes event that featured women riding through Ipswich wearing spring frocks last Sunday.

The second event was a fashion showcase held by art and design boutique Cultiver on Thursday.

Originally published as City finds place on fashion map