Aje showcases latest ‘Bloomscape’ collection to open Fashion Week

Guests didn’t know where to look when designer brand AJE opened Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia on Sunday at a stunning iconic location with a big guest list.

Guests didn’t know where to look when designer brand AJE opened Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia on Sunday.

The Opera House, Harbour Bridge and a stunning Resort 20 ‘Bloomscape’ collection were on full display as the label kicked off the week-long, globally recognised event.

As the sun was setting, 650 well-heeled guests including DJ’s model Victoria Lee, Lindy Klim, Olympia Vallance and Tim and Anna Heinrich descended on Campbell’s Stores in The Rocks to see what design duo Edwina Forest and Adrian Norris had been working on in recent months.

Aje officially opened Australian Fashion Week with their Resort 20 collection. Picture: Damian Shaw

Forty models took to the long runway. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

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Forty models stormed the 200m long runway in outfits which were promised to capture the natural wonder of the Australia’s landscape.

And they did exactly that with wattle printed silks, military style shirts with NSW badges sewed onto the front and bags brimming with banksia and native flora.

The collection was designed by close friends Edwina Forrest and Adrian Norris. Picture: Damian Shaw

Model Victoria Lee. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Actress Olympia Valance. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

AJE’s trademark stitching, billowing skirts and balloon sleeves were all featured throughout the collection, which was highly commercial and branded a monumental success by Sydney’s fashion set.

The show wrapped up with one of the country’s most sought after models in the 90s, Emma Balfour, 40, closing the show in a voluminous black silk dress.

MAGIC HOUR FOR DESIGNER

International designer Jonathan Simkhai is so obsessed with Sydney, it was the inspiration behind his Resort 20 collection.

The US creative is the only international label set to show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia this week and said he created his latest offering around the Bondi sunset.

Jonathan Simkhai’s label is the only international brand to be showing at Australian Fashion Week. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Simkhai, who has dressed Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Rihanna, Beyonce, Michelle Obama and Rebel Wilson, has only been to Australia once but said he will never forget the Bondi sunset he witnessed.

“This collection is all about what makes me feel good,” Simkhai said.

“I reminisced on this time I spent the day with friends at the beach, drinking and hanging out then the sun set and the sky changed colours. I call it the magic hour and the most incredible magic hour I ever experienced was in Sydney, at Bondi.”

He has dressed for many celebrities and recently designed Victoria Secret model Josephine Skriver’s Met Gala gown. Picture: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images/AFP

Simkhai has been inspired by the Bondi sunset for his latest collection he’ll be showing. Picture: Britta Campion

Simkhai’s show will include a public viewing element, which will allow the general public to catch a glimpse of his show.

“The Bondi culture is all about the people so I wanted to include them.”

“I didn’t want to create a show which was unapproachable and that no one could partake in or enjoy.”

Originally published as Aje showcases latest ‘Bloomscape’ collection to open Fashion Week