March 2008

NRA Fashion Design Awards 2008

The 27th NRA Fashion Design Awards were held on the Gold Coast last night. The festival runs for 10 days and aims to showcase the products and services of Australian designers, manufacturers and retailers. The Supreme Award was won by first-time entrant, Lisa Brown, for the Lifestyle Collections category. Her winning entry of silk dresses had an african inspiration and a relaxed look. Traditionally, the Supreme Award had been given to evening gowns but it's nice to see a change. Lisa may also have her first Hollywood fan. Apparently, Kate Hudson purchased a Lisa Brown dress while filming in Queensland last year. Let's hope the word gets out. Following is the list of winners for the NRA Fashion Design Awards 2008. Congratulations!

NRA Fashion Design Awards 2008 - Winners

Pacific Fair Shopping Centre Kids --- Little Workers
QEvents Bridal --- Brides Desire by Airs & Graces
Lifestyle Collections presented by Evolve Make-Up --- Lisa Brown
Cabcharge Australia Fashions on the Field --- Darb Couture
Conrad Jupiters Gold Coast Swim-Surf --- Karen Neilsen Collection
Student Designs presented by Gold Coast Convention & Exhib Ctr --- Emily Black from Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE
Bose Couture --- Dimitria Bridal Couture
Aust. Fashion Design Awards Rising Star presented by Business GC --- Zoo-Ski
AMP Capital Shopping Centres Supreme Award --- Lisa Brown

Italian Chic 2008

The China International Clothing & Accessories Fair (Chic 2008) is the largest fashion exhibition in Asia and will be held in Beijing from March 28-31, 2008. Italy has taken a keen interest and this year will be its largest foreign exhibitor. The Italians will have 40 brands and 30 companies at China Fashion Week and around 50 fabric companies at InterTextile 2008 (March 27, 2008) in Beijing. They are planning to primarily focus on their woven, knitted, leather and fur garments/fabrics but China seems to have an interest in silk as well. The Italian exhibitors are hoping to build business relationships with many of the Chinese manufacturers as the consumer luxury market in China has led to an increase of imported Italian garments and fabrics. For more information, visit Chic 2008 and don't forget to click the 'English' button located at the top right corner.

Heather Mills Settles for £24.3 Million

Whether you love her or hate her, she keeps making the headlines. Heather Mills, a former model and wife of Sir Paul McCartney has apparently struck luck. She has just walked away with £24.3 (AU $52 / US $68) million as a divorce settlement for a four year marriage to the Beatles star. Their four year old daughter, Beatrice, is said to receive nanny and school fees with an extra £35,000 (AU $76,000 / US $70,000) per year, an amount that didn't please Mills. She made a comment to the press where she basicly implied that her daughter's figure was too little because it meant that Beatrice would have to fly in Economy Class and that she would have to wear the expense of a First Class ticket. I don't know how many flights she is planning but if this is her only concern, perhaps it's not so bad.

LA Fashion Week Went Out With a Bang

Their new lingerie line may be called ‘…shhh’ but it certainly wasn't quiet when the Pussycat Dolls performed in front of an array of stars on the last day of LA Fashion Week. Robin Antin, the creator of the group, successfully turned them from burlesque to pop and the extension of the brandname into the world of fashion is destined to do extremely well. The girls have a very sexy image and the lingerie is just as hot. See for yourself at LA Fashion Week.

Japan Fashion Week

Japan Fashion Week (JFW) opened yesterday in Tokyo and collections for Autumn/Winter 2008-2009 are now on show. It is the 6th event that has been held and will this year feature 45 brands. The Japanese are hoping to strengthen their own labels and to introduce their designers to the world. Japan Fashion Week encompasses fashion events, textile exhibitions and the Tokyo Collection. Their thoughts were that if they combined everything together, it would be easier to attract international buyers so, whether they're after fabrics or labels, they will find everything at this event. Japan Fashion Week is held at Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi but if your invitation got lost in the mail, you can view the collections throughout the week at Japan Fashion Week.

Shanghai Shopaholics

Many recognise Shanghai as an international trading port but few are aware that China's most affluent city has seen a new breed of Chinese women who are obsessed with designer labels. They may live in a country that produces some of the world's cheapest clothes but these ladies are certainly not deterred by luxury brands or their prices. This new generation of high flyers are well educated partygoers who love to shop. They are avid followers of fashion and are happy to spend big in exchange for a chic and glamorous look. Have they been watching 'Sex and the City'?

Highlights of L'Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival 2008

The excitement of the Melbourne Fashion Festival is that you can go shopping and buy what you have seen. If it's on show, it's in the shops. If you couldn't make the event or a runway show, don't worry because we've got you covered. Photographer, Mark Peterson, snapped away at the Festival and here are some of the items that stood out on the 'Paris Runways'. If you wish to see more, visit the Mark Peterson website and click on 'Assignments'.

Wayne Cooper

Gwendolynne

Bettina Liano

Aurelio Costarella

POP UP Around Melbourne

POP UP are the mobile fashion catwalks that can be seen daily at various locations in the city of Melbourne as part of the L'Oréal Fashion Festival. The first one was held yesterday by BONDS, Australia's iconic brand, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). With dancers, singers and several celebrities, they certainly got the party started. Today, it was the QV Pop Up that caught everyone's attention. QV is said to be a city within the city and it is Melbourne's finest fashion destination for national and international labels. Tomorrow, the Dotti Pop Up will be on show at Federation Square (4:30pm) but the most anticipated one is the denim parade by David Jones at City Square on Thursday at 7:30pm. Don't miss out!

L'Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival 2008

The L'Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival is in full swing and showcasing Autumn/Winter collections from local and international designers. The festival is open to the public so, anyone who wishes to attend the runway shows can purchase tickets - although they do sell fast - for their preferred choice. Everything seen on the catwalks is available in stores. The event organisers hope to excite the people on the street so, they will go shopping for their favourite items. This festival is in its 12th year and has been very successful. It is the largest in Australia with more than 230,000 attendees. For further information, visit www.lmff.com.au