Melbourne Spring Fashion Week came to a close on the weekend and showcased much of what Spring/Summer 2012 would bring. Most of this is covered in the latest issue of MyStylist magazine but thought I would do a wrap-up of key trends and messages from this year’s festival.



As Melbourne is a leader in Australian fashion, the fashion festivals are beginning to focus on experience offerings and lifestyle events. So accompanied with runways are also high-tea events, business seminars, aligning with a day at the races with a runway thrown in.  I believe this draws a wider audience.

Whilst the runways featured some beautiful pieces, the majority were modelled on under 25, size 8 women and tall slim men. This can often be challenging to the everyday person to envision how to incorporate those pieces into their wardrobe. I hope the day comes where we will see all bodies represented and for those of you who have done my style workshop, you’ll know the body shapes I am referring too!

The festival hasn’t been that great for some, including leading designer Alex Perry. I just read another article from a Project Runway contestant supporting claims that Alex “hates fat people.”  You’ll find details here 

At this stage I have no hard and fast comments but the model industry is about looks and appearance at the end of the day and I truly believe, everyone is beautiful. Curves or not, size 8 or 20, it’s all in your attitude, your confidence in the way you present yourself and provided you are a leading a happy and healthy life – who are any of us to judge?

I look forward to seeing how this plays out.

So in terms of trends, Spring/Summer is bringing us bursts of colour and is one of the first seasons to incorporate a host of trends. So weather you prefer casual, elegant or edgy style there is something for you. This season is focusing on bold colour vs. neutrals.

Fabrics including lace, silks and chiffon were evident throughout most designs and gave a very feminine and elegant look – perfect for the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival. These fabrics are also ideal for the warmer weather particularly in neutral colours.

We’re all about colour and if there was ever a season to try something new – this is it! Almost every colour on the colour wheel is in-store making it very easy to colour experiment.

Men are looking sharp! Mad men inspired pieces are everywhere and the focus is on quality tailoring, slim-line and fitted pieces which men also stealing our layering techniques with shirts, edgy singlets and t-shirts under blazers and of course - the stylish vest.

Cindy x

The official MSFW gallery is here for those of you who’d like to take a look.

IMAGES COURTESY OF MELBOURNE SPRING FASHION FESTIVAL