Following submissions of their final year folios, an industry panel including Graeme Lewsey – LMFF CEO and Elle Roseby – Sportsgirl CEO reviewed a record number of entries as they faced the difficult decision of selecting the top 12 graduates to appear on the highly coveted LMFF runway.  Below are the finalists who will be presenting their work under the guidance and support of industry mentors.

Courtney White – University of Technology Sydney, NSW

Stephanie McPherson – Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, VIC

Amelia Agosta – Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, VIC

Ju Young.Seo – Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, VIC

Laura HuiShan Li – Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, VIC

Rica Hardian – Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, VIC

Chris Ran Lin – Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, VIC

Tayler Ainley -  Curtain University, WA

Sally Edwards – Queensland University of Technology, QLD

Anna Langdon - Sydney Institute of Tafe, NSW

Natalia Grzybowski - University of Technology Sydney, NSW

Anisha Bhoyro - Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, VIC

Graduates and guests looking through the collections that will grace the LMFF runway in March.

The twelve finalists with Graeme Lewsey, CEO LMFF and Elle Roseby, CEO Sportsgirl

A special thank you to Concrete Blonde for providing the venue and their wonderful head chef, Ian Oakes for the delicious food.

The highly anticipated LMFF National Graduate Showcase will be held on Tuesday March 13 at 6.30pm at Peninsula, Central Pier, Docklands.

Tickets on sale now through Ticketek.

On a trip to WA earlier this year, LMFF were lucky enough to catch up with Kristy and John from Flannel at their new space in a converted chapel. The space is as light and airy as a Flannel collection and we couldn’t help but get excited for the cooler months ahead as we took a look at their autumn/winter 2012 collection.

Thank you for showing us around your anjelic studio. Visit Flannel.

Photos by Britt Singleton.

Fenella peacock greets us at her beautiful store, Nells Emporium, on a bright sunny Perth day and welcomes us inside for some deliciousness (of the fashion & food variety)!  Packed with whimsical jewelleryand floaty frocks just made for escapism, Nells is a little slice of heaven for foodies and fashionistas alike. We recommend a silk Fenella Peacock dress for a breezy getaway and a tall glass of nell’s homemade lemonade with your lunch!

A big thank you to Fenella for welcoming LMFF to getaway and share your beautiful surrounds. Visit Fenella Peacock.

More studio visits to come on the LMFF blog.

Post courtesy  of Brittany Singleton.

Internationally acclaimed Australian models Myf Shepherd, Nicole Trunfio and Alexandra Agoston headline the campaign alongside “Friends of the Festival” artist Vincent Fantauzzo, Principal Dancer for The Australian Ballet Andrew Killian, Restaurateur Sharon van Haandel, blogger, personal shopper and stylist Micah Gianneli, DJ/Producer Andy Murphy and Radio Journalist and Newsreader Lauren Brain.

Supporting the still imagery is a rich series of induvidual videos used to profile our friends – look out for the release of these videos in the coming months.

Alex (below) wears Aurelio Costarella jacket & pant, Mimco clutch.

Andrew (below) wears Calibre jacket, Vanishing Elephant t-shirt, own pant.

Andy (below) wears Calibre blazer under own trench.

Lauren (below) wears Kuwaii dress, Gorman belts, own jewellery.

Micah (below) wears Alex Perry dress, own vest.

Myf (below) wears Manning Cartell jacket, Alice McCall dress.

Nicole (below) wears Carl Kapp dress.

Sharon (below) wears Thurley jacket, own pants.

Vincent (below) wears Calibre blazer, own top and pant.

Make-up direction from Rae Morris for L’Oréal Paris, Photography by Adrian Mesko & Jordan Graeme, Art direction and production by Paper Stone Scissors.

Thanks Party Pod! To see a whole lot more visit and tag yourself on the Party Pod Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/PartyPodHire.

The full campaign will be revealed on December 1st and we can’t wait to share it with you.

Photography courtesy of Woodrow.

Bridget and Nick, the team behind LIFEwithBIRD, greet us at the top of the staircase that leads up into their loft-style Abbotsford studio space.  With white walls and glistening wood floors, the LIFEwithBIRD team is spread out across a spacious studio, scattered with art books, trinkets and treasures.  As we explore their space, they let us in on the development of the new collection, and let us know what’s exciting in their world right now.

Thank you Bridget and Nick for showing us around your beautiful studio. Visit LIFEwithBIRD.

Photos by Britt Singleton.

Have fun with colour in unlikely block combos this summer.  Tangerine, acid lime and cobalt will give your wardrobe a wakeup call with their lively hues.  Be bold and pair this look back with strong eye colours in blues, greens and pinks.

1. Karla Spetic www.karlaspetic.com
2. Karla Spetic www.karlaspetic.com
3. Josh Goot www.joshgoot.com
4. Dhini www.dhinicouture.com
5. Manning Cartell www.manningcartell.com
6. Mimco www.mimco.com.au
7. Steve Madden www.stevemadden.com.au
8. L’Oréal Paris Infallible Eyeshadow www.loreal.com.au
9. Sportsgirl www.sportsgirl.com.au

Leave the coat at home, now is the time to sparkle and shine with metallic fabrics designed to  speak for themselves under city skylines.  Dresses are embellished with sequins and sure to shine just in time for the party season.  Finish the look with statement metallic accessories, the perfect heel and lashings of mascara for full effect.

1. Yeojin Bae www.yeojinbae.com
2. ELLERY www.elleryland.com
3. Thurley www.thurley.com.au
4. Rachel Gilbert www.rachelgilbert.com
5. Dhini www.dhinicouture.com
6. Mimco www.mimco.com.au
7. L’Oréal Paris Lash Architect 4D Mascara www.loreal.com.au
8. Mimco www.mimco.com.au
9. Nine West www.ninewest.com.au

Not just for the cooler months, leather is sticking around for summer by ditching its favourite shade of black to embrace lighter hues of nude, rust and tan.  Perfectly transformed into soft jackets, structured tops and short shorts, leather is here to stay for summer and one to wear year round.

1. camilla and marc  www.camillaandmarc.com
2. ELLERY www.elleryland.com
3. Gary Bigeni www.garybigeni.com
4. Flannel www.flannel.com.au
5. Mimco www.mimco.com.au
6. Mimco www.mimco.com.au
7. Gorman www.gormanshop.com.au
8. Mimco www.mimco.com.au
9. Gorman www.gormanshop.com.au

This is the colour of the season so inject some vibrant red into your summer wardrobe.   This colour packs a punch so wear it with confidence!  If the full red look isn’t your thing, why not hunt out the perfect shade for your lips and prepare to get noticed!

1. Yeojin Bae www.yeojinbae.com
2. Carl Kapp www.carlkapp.com
3. camilla and marc www.camillaandmarc.com
4. Flannel www.flannel.com.au
5. Josh Goot www.joshgoot.com
6. L’Oréal Paris Infallible Le Rouge Lipstick www.loreal.com.au
7. Sportsgirl www.sportsgirl.com.au
8. Mimco www.mimco.com.au
9. Nine West www.ninewest.com.au

Aurelio Costarella’s space in North Perth is a hive of activity on the day we stop by for a Studio Visit.  Bridal fittings, shoppers browsing through his store, Post Emporium, and the team working in the studio to bring the next collection to life.  On this bright, sunny day, light streams through the window and brings the multicoloured silks of Aurelio’s collection to life on the racks – it’s a rich mix of silk, leather and marabou feather.  While clients try on dress after dress, we explore his store and studio space stacked to the rafters with treasures like scented candles and precious jewellery.

Thank’s to Aurelio for looking after us in Perth.  Visit Aurelio Costarella.

Photos by Britt Singleton.

SPECIAL OFFER!  This weekend get 20% off at Nine West! Four days only, Thursday September 29 – Sunday October 2, 2011. Visit the website for details ninewest.com.au.

From top to bottom:

1. Blanca, RRP$159.00

2. Braxton, RRP$159.00

3. Tali, RRP$149.00

4. Stylin, RRP$159.00

For more, visit ninewest.com.au.

One of the highlights of the week was catching up with Perth local and Curtin University fashion graduate Celene Bridge.  Celene was featured at LMFF in 2011 as part of the Graduate Showcase presented by Sportsgirl and it was great to see her latest work on show in WA.  Her collection, a fusion of tradition and fantasy, was mesmerizing.  From snarling faux-fur bags to silk dresses that moved in liquid motion, it was a beautiful display of unrestricted creative spirit.  We can’t wait to see what Celene does next.

A huge thank you to the team at PFF for looking after us!

Photography by Britt Singleton.

Gucci Photography Go Runway

Spijkers en Spijkers Photography Christopher Dadey

Read more about the 1920’s fashion influences on Fashionising.com

The Limedrop duo, Nathan & Clea, welcome us into their Fitzroy studio space on a cool Melbourne day and the cherry blossoms dotted along the window sill instantly brighten the mood!  The team show us around their studio where they work (alongside a small team of skilled and loyal interns) and catch us up on what’s happening in the world of Limedrop.

Thank’s Nathan & Clea for letting us hang in your studio – we love it! Visit Limedrop.

Photos by Britt Singleton

Go with the flow – With the wind in your hair, let this flowing colour block maxi from Manning Cartell create some drama for you.  Pair with a sleek metallic sandal for a spring look with impact.

Let out a roar – Put a fresh twist on summer prints and think ANIMAL!! These cropped trousers from camilla and marc have just the right balance of ladylike and wild – grrrl!

Blaze a trail – Smarten up in a sharp blazer, but don’t get too serious – keep it fun for Spring!  Follow the lead of the Gorman team and invest in a colorful jacket with a tribal motif (cute lilac socks optional…).

Whats on your wishlist?

We’re welcomed to Rosemary Masic’s whitewashed Fitzroy studio space by her energetic puppy, Stella, who definitely rules the roost in this studio space.  A light and airy space filled with colourful samples, embellished trims and bookshelves bursting with fashion magazines, the studio is a warm and inviting space where the Nevenka team develops the gypsy-luxe collections that have developed a cult following.  While we catch up with Rosemary on all things Nevenka, Stella roams the room and investigates the visitors.

Big thanks to Rosemary (and Stella) for letting us snoop around your studio! Visit Nevenka.

Photos by Britt Singleton.

Designer Toni Maticevski in the spotlight – we love his dress in the Australian section of the exhibition.

Romance was Born (foreground) designed by Anna Plunkett & Luke Sales.

Wedding dress by Christian Lacroix.

Linda Britten and LMFF Chairman Laura Anderson. This stunning dress, which laces up at the back, was designed by Linda for Laura’s wedding.

Wedding Dress by Gwendolynne Burkin. Veil by Richard Nylon.

Also on display in the exhibition are gowns by celebrated designers, including Vera Wang, Norman Hartnell, Christian Dior, Zandra Rhodes & Lanvin. Also included are stunning wedding dresses worn by celebrities Dita Von Teese and Gwen Stefani.

The exhibition is on at Bendigo Art Gallery until November 6th, 2011.

Images courtesy of Monty Coles – see more on theloupe.org.

The LMFF marketing and communications team will be sharing how they utilise Facebook, Twitter and other digital channels to engage with customers.  By sharing LMFF’s experiences and key learnings, you will walk away with new ideas you can utilise within your own business.

Topics will include: What is social media? What channels are right for my business? How can my business be more social? Ways of measuring social media.

Date: Wednesday 3 August 2011

Time: 10am – 11am

Price: $20 adult / $15 student

Venue: Lounge 9, HOYTS Cinema, Melbourne Central Shopping Centre, Cnr Swanston & La Trobe Streets, Melbourne.

To book your place, please fill our the booking form and return to LMFF via fax 03 9654 9679 or email fashion@lmff.com.au. For enquiries, phone 03 9654 5599 (contact Katherine Thomas). Payment by credit card only, before Tues 2 August.

Gwendolynne Burkin welcomes us into her Fitzroy studio, which sits directly above her store space just off Brunswick street, with a warm smile and the offer of a cup of Milo.  Bubbling over with ideas and excitement about some developments for the Gwendolynne label that are in the pipeline, Ms Burkin shows us around her studio – a treasure trove of beads, lace and heavenly trims.  Hand-finished gowns hang from the ceiling, reflecting the cool winter light streaming through the windows.

Thank you very much Gwendolynne for letting us take a peek into your studio! Visit Gwendolynne.

…More Studio Visits to come on the LMFF blog.

Photography by Brittany Singleton.

Today I am in Paris and heading to the  Madame Grés Retrospective at Musée Bourdelle. I was surprised to find out that this was the 1st retrospective in Paris of this visionary couturier.  Her work was renowned for having sculptural qualities. Even her fluid draping had very much of a sculptural feel to it. She herself wanted to be a sculptor and was often quoted as saying “I want to be a sculptor. For me, it’s the same thing to work the fabric or the stone”

The museum itself is within the buildings and gardens, which used to be the atelier of the French Classical sculpture Antoine Bourdelle, who trained under Rodin. The museum features incredible marble, plaster and bronze sculptures within the buildings and out in the courtyards and gardens. Madame Grès symbolizes the very essence of couture and really was one of the first examples of Minimalism in fashion.

It was just amazing for me to see in the flesh her pieces. As a student at RMIT when I was first learning about drape in my 2^nd year of study, I was so inspired  by a particular style of her pleating. And now being able to actually see the pieces that I’d read so much about, it really was incredible to me!

One of her signatures were cut-outs in gowns that made exposed skin part of the design. This idea has influenced so many current designers…including me!  The exhibition is quite vast – there’s about 80 pieces of her work, as well as photographs from Henry Clarke, Richard Avedon and Cecil Beaton and a selection of drawings from the house’s archives.

Images: Taken at the Madame Grés Retrospective at Musée Bourdelle by Dhini.

Thanks for the pics Dhini, so inspirational. Ahhh Paris…

Visit Dhini’s Website.

She is the ultimate style chameleon, below snapped by The Satorialist many months earlier with a completely different (yet equally as amazing) look.

Michelle Jank was back in Melbourne for LMFF 2011 to style our opening runway event ‘Fashion Full Stop’, watch the video highlights here to see some of her styling on the runway.