MSFW Student Runway's 1 & 2

MSFW is upon us and the first shows on my schedule were the emerging designer student shows. Always the highlight of my week for pure creativity and innovation, this year was no exception. Student Runway 1 showcased the graduating class of RMIT while Student Runway 2 presented students from other key Melbourne fashion schools showing at MSFW for the first time. Those schools were the Melbourne School of Fashion, Kangan Institute, Box Hill Institute and Whitehouse. Choosing just a few students to highlight in this blog post was hard, with so much talent on show I ended up taking over 1000 photos but have cut it back just to those who stood out to me on the night.


Ella Mcilvena - RMIT
I saw a few pieces of this collection being worn by students at the Walter Van Beirendonck exhibition opening a few weeks back. A friend from Tokyo actually bought a piece after seeing it on my blog - which is awesome for the student and I think says a lot about the appeal of this trend driven collection. Sporty neoprene in boxy shapes with numbering, layering and sheer pieces, I love and want it all.






Lucy Rosenberg - RMIT
Lucy was one of the students I visited last week as she was finishing her collection. Her fetishization of food collection was just made for the runway with it's bright colours and the prints stand out.




Johanna Howe - RMIT
Architectual lingerie.




Tyrone Susman - RMIT
More fetish inspired pieces from RMIT - I wonder what's in the water over there? Lots of studs and leather.




The skeleton formation on the back of this dress was amazing.


Lauren Cray - RMIT
Architectural deconstructed white.


Alexander Batsis - RMIT
Alexander's collection fused fabric together to create the shape and texture and to make the forms.




Gabrielle Brown - RMIT
Layered white with interesting rope detail and shoe bag accessories.






Chin Hau Tay - RMIT
Another student who I visited last week, Chin's teddy bear inspired menswear collection got the biggest cheer from the crowd on the night. Such a fun tongue in cheek runway ready collection.




Esther Gauntlett - RMIT
Paint or latex splatters added texture and changed the way the dress moved when walking down the runway.




Jack Leeson - RMIT
Jack's bright collection looks just as good on the runway as I thought it would when I visited him last week. The bright blue really stood out.




Alanna Barca - RMIT
The detail wasn't lost with Alanna's work on the runway.


Talisa Trantino - RMIT
The texture was clear with Talisa's work.




Cathy Yuen - RMIT
Cathy's workman ship was evident in her collection.




Dara Ing - RMIT
The LED lights on Dara's pieces in action.


Brandon Smith - Melbourne School of Fashion
Bold shapes.


Laura Petruccelli - Kangan Institute
Amazing use of colour and print.


Neville Antoinette - Kangan Institute
Bridal meets sci-fi.


Susie Paull - Melbourne School of Fashion
One of my favourite pieces of the night, the tulle wings had everyone front row gasping at the beauty.


Eleni Nott - Whitehouse
Tongue in cheek lettering - split printed just where the lower half of the dress has a split.


Alex Jon Hansen - Whitehouse
This collection was the most trend driven of the night, I could see all pieces working on the streets of Tokyo right now. I love the layers and silhouette - long and boxy with leggings. The prints against the white really pop.


Sporty slides, otherwise known as bathroom slippers, are the shoe of the moment here in Melbourne.



Below, thanks to MSFW's youtube channel you can view all the students work from both shows!

Sneak Peek at RMIT Fashion Graduate's MSFW Runway Part 2

Cathy Yuen
Using laser cut (new technology) to push the boundaries of clothing design.


Cathy's work is inspired by Architecture. The 3D forms and cut outs remind me of Federation Square but also the cut outs remind me of stained glass windows in a church.


Cathy was working on a new toile when I visited which you can see has the same curved shape as the front piece.


Finished pieces from Cathy's graduate collection - they quality of the finish of her work is amazing.


Dara Ing
Dara's graduate collection is LED powered menswear using reflective materials.




Dara collaborated with RMIT Industrial Design student Dan Vaugh to create his LED menswear skirt.


Jack Leeson
Jack's collection uses lustrous blues inspired by the ocean.


When I stopped by he was cutting out new pattern pieces. He said this was 'boring cutting' and apparently for fashion design students there is also interesting cutting - you learn something new every day.


Using felting, ironing on to seams to blend fabric together, Jack has been able to create this beautiful texture.




Molly Younger
This piece in Molly's graduate collection was made using a mould of a body and then latex and pain is applied to give it form and texture.


Other pieces in her collection are screen printed.


Screen print of the mould.


The latex and pain create interesting texture.


Raw unfinished edges add to the texture.

Hope you enjoyed part 2 of my exclusive look behind the scenes at the RMIT Fashion graduating class of 2013.
Have you got your MSFW tickets yet? Check out the full program here MSFW 31 Aug - 8 Sept 2013 RMIT 
Buy tickets for the student show to see these looks and more walk the runway Student Runway 1 Sunday 1st Sept 6pm

I also have an exciting announcement to make, I'm a panellist on Super Size Me? A forum on size and consumer demand as part of MSFW. Along with Mel Campbell, author of 'Out of Shape: debunking myths on fashion and fit' and other esteemed guests we will be addressing sizing, fit and diversity. What’s normal in sizing? Is this a problem, and if so how are your favourite labels addressing it? Are you a satisfied consumer? Ask questions, share your experiences, and discover what is ‘the new normal’ in sizing.
When Tuesday 3rd September 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Where Holmesglen Institute of TAFE 332 ST KILDA Road Melbourne 3004 Room 4.05
FREE!!! Hope to see you there xoxo