Surprise debut: Melissa to get taste of the runway
MasterChef Australia host Melissa Leong, known for her bold fashion choices, will make her runway debut this week at Australian Fashion Week.
Confidential
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MasterChef Australia host Melissa Leong will make her runway debut this week at Gary Bigeni’s AFW parade.
Leong, known for her bold fashion choices on the reality cooking show and Dessert Masters, is preparing to walk the runway in one of Bigeni’s trademark colourful ensembles.
Gary has now shown at Australian Fashion Week 14 times, and his latest show is called Dance Bigeni, Dance.
“This collection is an homage to movement – to dancing for yourself before you dance for anyone else,” he said.
“It’s about showing up with confidence, in colour, in shape, in spirit – for you first. As someone who grew up with a disability, colour and form have always spoken loudly to me, they’ve been tools of joy, identity, and expression.”
FITTING FINALE: VOGUE VANGUARD SET TO BE AFW HIGHLIGHT
There’s one runway event this Australian Fashion Week that the industry is touting as the highlight – Vogue Vanguard presented by American Express.
The inaugural runway show, which shines a spotlight on the new guard of homegrown creative talent, will be the final show on the AFW schedule at Rushcutters Bay on Friday.
The runway will showcase the best emerging Australian fashion designers including Emily Watson, Ruby Pedder, Ethan Bergersen and Samuel Lewis and is tipped to leave a lasting impression.
As expected, Vogue will pull an A-list crowd with VIP guests including Vogue Australia editorial director and publisher Edwina McCann, Vogue Australia Editor-in-Chief Christine Centenera, actors Sophie Wilde, Olivia DeJonge and Sam Corlett.
Centenera came up with the Vanguard initiative in 2023, while the runway event is the brainchild of McCann.
“Uncovering and supporting the next generation of talent is part of the joy of working at Vogue. Harnessing Vogue’s reach to uplift these creatives has been part of my mission since the beginning,” said Centenera.
“It is crucial to support a thriving creative environment and exciting to be a part of it. We know the next household names are among this inspiring, driven and innovative group.”
While McCann, who has been one of the main players who ensured AFW continued after owners IMG pulled out this year, said: “Vogue has a long history of supporting up and coming Australian design talent. With Australian Fashion Week now under the stewardship of the Australian Fashion Council, it is crucial to support this vital pathway for our talent.”
Following the Vogue Vanguard show, Ksubi will host the official Australian Fashion Week afterparty in partnership with Vogue Australia and American Express.
Special guest DJs C.Frim, Mirasia and Soju Gang will perform for 500 VIP guests.
ZAMPATTI LEGACY ALIVE AND WELL
Alex Schuman will present a landmark show when his late mother Carla Zampatti’s brand opens AFC Australian Fashion Week on Monday – marking an incredible 60 years of the iconic label.
And Zampatti’s son, the brand’s creative director, says the show will reiterate his mother’s legacy – something that pushes them to keep creating with purpose – just as she would have.
“This year, we’re proud to be presenting a landmark show that reflects not only the contemporary strength of our own brand, but the extraordinary creative power and maturity of the Australian fashion industry as a whole,” Schuman told The Saturday Telegraph. “Set in an iconic Sydney location, our collection is a bold statement of what Australian design can be – refined, innovative and globally resonant.”
The Zampatti name has been a leading force in Australian fashion since 1965, so to open Fashion Week is only fitting.
“This is where our industry steps on to the global stage and asserts its voice, vision and values,” Schuman said.
CASTING CALLS A CROWD
More than 150 models stormed the runway this week, hoping to land a spot in the hugely anticipated New Generation Runway show.
Beauties from the country’s top agencies including IMG, Priscillas, Chic, Viviens, Chadwick, Kult, Merci, Scouted, P.M, ICON, People and Silver made their way to Ovolo, Woolloomooloo on Thursday.
It was by far the biggest casting of the week, with 150 models walking in front of casting agents in just three hours.
Among them were veterans Montana Cox, Cindy Rostron, Bambi, and Inka Williams, while Ruby-Flower and Riahn Griffiths, pictured, gave us a taste of lio Nema ahead of the shows,
RECYCLING IS SO HOT NOW
Only a few years ago, Sydney’s style set wouldn’t be caught dead in an older season look, unless it was designer vintage.
However, the upcoming AFW is shaping up to be an archival trend revival as designers bring preloved gems to the catwalk for a fresh take on vintage style, and attendees wear recycled pieces.
“I think for many years, wearing the same outfit twice at a high-profile event like Fashion Week was considered a major faux pas, particularly for celebrities, influencers and fashion insiders but it’s nice to see that now it’s no longer a ‘thing’ and it’s actually something that we are seeing more and more of,” said celebrity stylist and preloved fashion advocate Jess Pecoraro.
According to Pecoraro, attendees now desire fashion that is stylish and environmentally responsible.
This year, eBay Australia is partnering with Vogue Australia to showcase archival looks from designers including Aje, Bianca Spender, Lee Mathews, Nagnata and Romance Was Born.
They will be styled by Pecoraro.
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