As there was a large volume of designers in this show so I am only posting my top five favourites.

Georgia Lazzaro
Lazzaro opened the showcase with long, distorted shillouettes, utilising strange shapes, high necklines and full length dresses to extend the figure in an almost grotesque manner.

Christiana Livaditis
Arguably the highlight of the showcase, Livaditis’ thought provoking designs were captivating and intriguing. Highly theatrical, this collection was a visual treat for runway-goers. Overly exaggerated elements and creative binding in between the legs and between the hands, many elements were designed to restrain the model creating the need to walk and move in particular ways whilst wearing the garments. The implication of these elements take this collection out of the realm of mere clothing or costume design and into the category of wearable art.

Jacqueline Tyrell
This pretty and coherent collection was refreshing change for the showcase, drawing on a light colour palette of lavender and beige. Although very loosely tailored, the range remained feminine, and was very commercially viable compared to her contemporaries.

Olivia Jung
Another departure from the majority of designers, Jung’s collection revolved around electric blues and greens. The thread work and metallic embellishments in this collection were an exemplification of Jung’s raw talent, expressing her bold vision whilst remaining wearable – a feat that will ensure this designer crosses over from student to star.

Prufrock. by Ellie Mayer
Attention to detail was key in Mayer’s collection with little embellishments adding surprise and delight. Ultra-femme with layers of ruffles, and sheer elements, the pieces tapped into the lingerie as outerwear trend by having a distinct boudoir feel whilst remaining elegant.

As it was the hottest ticket in town, I’d been unsuccessful in securing a media pass to Runway 2 on Tuesday night. Luckily about 10 minutes before the parade started I ran into the lovely Ben Pollitt from Friedrich Gray who very kindly gifted me ticket.  Thank you, Ben! At the time I thought that was the most epic thing that was going to happen to me that night but I couldn’t have been more wrong.

After the show Lady Melbourne, Fashion Hayley and I retreated to the Festival Bar where I finally ran into the stunning and talented Selena from Dear Selena, and her two lovely friends Richard and Peter. I also briefly met Emily from Little Black Book but she was unable to stay back with us at the bar.

Myself, Richard, Lady Melbourne, Peter, Selena.

The Woolmark Young Designer Awards took place directly after Runway 2 and as everyone slowly dissipated from the event Hayley and I ran into designer Dion Lee who had just been announced as the winner of the award. We stopped to congratulate him and he very kindly posed for a photograph with me.

Congratulations, Dion! A well deserved win.

At this point everything got pretty chaotic and Hayley and I somehow managed to abscond with a slew of Australian fashion royalty including Gary Bigeni and Gail Sorronda to the Vogue after party, where we enjoyed the company of even more designers such as Romance Was Born, Kym Ellery,  Lui Hon, Limedrop and Akira Isawaga. Australian Vogue editor-in-cheif Kirstie Clements was also there, but even if we had have managed to penetrate the circle surrounding her I think we’d have been too dumbfounded to know what to say.

It was probably the most surreal evening of my life and one I’m sure not to forget!

White Shirt – Style Stalker
White Tank – Cotton On
White Jeggings – Supre
Black Suede Heels – ASOS
Black Lipstick – M.A.C
Jewellery – Various

Romance Was Born
Known for their outrageous and sometimes even unwearable designs, I was pleasantly surprised by their AW10 collection. Inspired by the hedonistic lifestyle lead by wealthy investors in the 1980s, the range featured American $1 bill embellishment, outrageous shoulders and a wide variety of colours. My favourite piece was the horrendously oversized blazer with the sheer back.

Ellery
Knowing what her customers love, Ellery delivered a collection of signature blazers, beautifully cut dresses, and sweet little shorts. As I commented on twitter during the show – I don’t know who wears little shorts and strappy dresses during winter, but if this is how it goes down in Elleryland then I want to live there.

Friedrich Gray
Moody and minimalist, the AW10 collection for Friedrich Gray was a palette of blacks, blues and greys.  Utilising his famous digital prints, the range consisted of fantastic leggings, bodycon dresses and was peppered with pieces of odd proportions. The highlight was a stunning hand knitted maxi-dress that is, naturally, not a production piece.

ANT!PODiUM
The quirkiness we’ve come to expect from the London based label is back again for AW10. Featuring a combination of wearable casuals and stand-out pieces in unusual prints and textures, the neutral palette was complimented with shades of lolly pink.  I was confused and amused to see several models walking the runway with what appeared to be giant knitted lizards wrapped around their necks.

Arnsdorf
Quintessentially Arnsdorf, this AW10 collection featured a lot of relaxed tailoring and a sweet colour palette with accents of punchy burgundy that I adored.

Gary Bigeni
Featuring beautifully draped and deconstructed dresses and tops, Bigeni’s AW10 collection has sports-luxe vibe. Tapping in to a light palette that feels more spring-summer than autumn-winter, this collection will stay fresh even when the weather goes sour.

Dion Lee
Beautifully cohesive, Lee’s AW10 collection was a spectacle of detailing, with space-age silver embellishments and clever cut-away elements. Just after the runway event Lee was announced the 2010 winner of the prestigious Woolmark Designer Award. Previous winners include designers Friedrich Gray and Romance Was Born, with whom Lee shared the runway.

Therese Rawsthorne
I’ve often found Rawthorne’s work a little too girly for my tastes, but her AW10 collection really resonated with me. Featuring slightly relaxed cuts but still flatteringly feminine, the range is wearable and versatile, with many pieces designed to have an easy transition from work to bar. Another neutral colour pallette – blacks, winter whites and greys peppered with pale blues and beige – signifies a strong trend for AW10 across the board.

One of the exciting opportunities I’ve had during Fashion Fortnight is meeting many young Australian design talents. I’ve had the pleasure of running into Nathan and Clea, the lovely design due behind quirky label Limedrop several times during my cavorting around town and could not be more excited by the look book for their current AW10 collection. Combining two of my current obsessions – clouds and double exposures… the beautiful clothing in this range is just a happy afterthought.

Imagine my delight and surprise when a representative from the label sent me a message early last week to see if I was free to attend the exclusive premiere screening of Friedrich Gray’s first fashion film, Dislocation. The film is an accompaniment to the AW 2010 trans seasonal collection of the same name. Directed by Tim Richardson and starring Emma Balfour and Cameron Peters, the short film allegorises connection amidst solitude. Typically Friedrich Gray, the minimalist cinematography and lack of dialogue poignantly captures the soul of the collection.

I took these images myself at the screening, so I apologise for the very poor quality, especially of the title shot where I managed to move my camera while shooting and cause a strange pattern with the label name.

I was very excited to get an opportunity to meet Pollitt just before the screening, where we discussed his excitement for his upcoming LMFF and RAFW runways and another artistic expression close to my heart, music. Last year Friedrich Gray models stomped down the LMFF runway to Marilyn Manson’s cover of I Put A Spell On You which, as a favourite track of mine, completely blew my mind. This year at his RAFW show he’s taking it to a more industrial place – totally befitting to the Friedrich Gray label.

Disclocation was screened with another highly anticipated short fashion film, City Limits, by cult favourite label Romance Was Born. Directed by Kris Moyes, City Limits accompanies the label’s AW10 collection, Nightmare On Wall Street. It tells the story of a fashion investor who was betrayed by her business partner with violent consequences. Humorous, over-the-top and slightly ridiculous in all the right ways, the film has an American Psycho quality that is sure to appeal to lovers of the quirky label.

Friedrich Gray’s Dislocation collection will be presented at LMFF’s L’Oreal Paris Runway 2 this coming Tuesday. Arguably LMFF’s hottest runway, it is not to be missed.

The PHM website boasts ‘More than just a shopping location, PHM encompasses site-specific artworks, runway shows, live photo shoots and other random happenings.’ and rightly so. It’s a veritable hot spot for all things fresh and exciting in the fashion world and beyond, each year receiving record attendees  wanting to bask in the talent of Melbourne’s thriving underground design scene.

On Friday night I stalked my way into the strictly invite-only Midmouse event where the independent designers showcased during PHM’s short life cycle get an opportunity to send their life’s work down the runway.

Avant-garde finery by Queensland based label, Subfusco, was my pick of the runway. I was lucky enough to have a chat prior to the show with the label’s designer, Josh, who’s kindly agreed to let Sea Of Ghosts readers see more of his label when he returns home after LMFF.

I was also taken by the quirky pieces from Melbourne based label, From Britten.

I’m very excited to be involved with LMFF this year and I’ll be covering more shows and events in the coming week, although due to my hectic show/work schedule posts may be slightly delayed.

Call it aftermath, she’s turning blue.
Such a lovely colour for you.

I spent today waiting. I’m still waiting. I hate waiting.

Grey Jacket: Sussan
White T-Shirt: Bonds
Black Jeans: Country Road