5 Things We Learned At Fashion Week

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There’s nothing quite like a fashion week hangover – sore feet, multitudes of fashion week selfies and the regret that comes with pressing ‘add to cart’ one too many times. As the city of laneway coffee bids farewell to Melbourne Spring Fashion Week (MSFW), we catch a glimpse of the trends hitting our stores this season and the garments making their way into our wish lists. Courtesy of La Rafael Photography, GC Mag gained a close-up of MSFW. Here’s what we learned:
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1. You can never resist a fashion week takeover.
Presented by the City of Melbourne, the beginning of the week saw MSFW’s Opening Night Shop-Hop taking over iconic inner city shopping locations including Emporium Melbourne, David Jones, The Strand, Myer and H&M at the historic GPO.
Throughout the festival, organisers gave audiences an opportunity to appreciate where their favourite garments came from and how they came to be. From presentations on the scientific techniques of pattern cutting to ethics and sustainability in the supply chain, MSFW provided a side of the fashion industry often left unseen.
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2. Pastel hues are this season’s staple.
Runway One’s romantic yet sophisticated silhouettes featured soft shades of pink, blue and grey. Presented by Anaessia, Aurelio Costarella, Carla Zampatti, Dom Bagnato, Gwendolynne, JASONGRECH, nicolangela and Michael Lo Sordo, this season’s pastels have proven incredibly versatile; perfect for elaborate couture gowns or blogger-style streetwear. Dom Bagnato and Ben Sherman’s pastel suits leave gents of no exception to the rule. Paired with a bowtie, their suits are perfect for a night out or a spring day at the races.
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3. Embrace texture and bold pops of colour.
The David Jones race wear runway showcased stunning ensembles worthy of the finest seats at the Caufield Cup. Vibrant shades of every colour lit up the runway as the runway itself lit up to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer. The brilliant pink hue displayed was mirrored in the collections of Nicola Finetti, Bright silk dresses, oversized lace fascinators and burgundy suits graced the catwalk while we mentally added each item to our growing spring wish list. If all-over colour isn’t your style, take inspiration from David Jones’ collection and liven up an outfit with a bright piece of statement jewellery or a pocket square.
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4. Asymmetric lines will liven up any outfit.
Iconic brand Taking Shape filled the runway with flirty asymmetric hems suitable for work or play. The new collection featured layering of lightweight pieces to create a flattering and playful silhouette suitable for any shape and size. Alice McCALL took a different approach to the trend, showcasing structured feminine ensembles with open backs and sheer panels. Paired with a pair of strappy sandals, this look is perfect for a day at the office or a night on the town.
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5. Get down to basics.
The runways of Carly Hunter, Nike, Windsor Smith and Willow presented sophisticated, yet easy ways to wear a monochrome palette without looking dull. By offsetting tailored pieces with relaxed co-ordinates, striking minimalistic looks were achieved by adding barely-there jewellery for ladies and statement watches for gents.
To relive all of the action on the runway and behind the scenes, search the #msfw hashtag on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter or visit www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/msfw.
We would like to make special mention of our eyes and ears in Melbourne for MSFW  Ben Rafael who attended all the shows and snapped these great images
www.facebook.com/Larafael   www.larafael.com
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