23 April 2016

M.A.D Fashion Showcase 2016

Back at the start of April the Melbourne Alternative Designers hosted their first fashion showcase! It was an awesome night, which I was lucky enough to be there as media. My posting on this has been delayed, but I can now post photos and my review of the night!

Models, MUA, hairstylists: please let me know who you are and what you worked on so I can add your credit. Also please let me know if you have trouble saving these photos (some people can and some people can't).

Onto the review below the read more!

April 2nd saw the first M.A.D (Melbourne Alternative Designers) Fashion Showcase, located in picturesque St Kilda Hall. The child of Clockwork Butterfly, and Lyris Design, this event was run by the alternative community for the alternative community. It was an event not only for designers to show off their wares, but for models, makeup artists, photographers, stylists, and the general populace to interact and network with each other.

The event ran smoothly, doors opened on time, the fashion show was split into two with intermission, and both halves began and finished on time. A pleasant, supportive atmosphere filled the hall, as friends within the alternative community were reacquainted and new ones were made. Pride was walking amongst the crowd, as after many years of waiting, Melbourne finally had an alternative fashion showcase to be proud of.

The venue was a perfect fit for this kind of event, with a large hall for the crowds and a well sized area backstage for the designers. The hall had been divided into two, with catwalk and performances on one side, and stalls on the other. Each designer on the catwalk had their own stall, and this allowed people to see the garments up close and to speak to the designers themselves. There were also other stalls with items available, from Tentacle Spine’s custom horns and ears, Steampunk Treasures’ accessories, to Beauty Bohemia cosmetic products.

However, it was the fashion show that was the main attraction to this event.

With Richard Vegas the magician, as MC, the night kicked off with a Steampunk burlesque performance to “Fighting Trousers” by KerryX. Donning a fabulous fake moustache, KerryX combined burlesque, comedy, and Victorian masculinity, with her ‘fighting trousers’, delicate Victorian lingerie, and bravado poses.

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Performer:KerryX

The first designer featured was Asylum Dollz. A team of two sisters, this design house is more costume based. Combining sewing, with prop armour and weapons, their runway featured several characters; some based on pre-existing ones such as Maleficent, some their own creations. The highlight from these designers was a Mad Max-esque warrior; a simple looking outfit consisting of crop top, skirt, and feathered shoulder pieces, but the attention was in the detail. The skirt was several crocheted pieces sewn together, a consistent colour scheme of blues and browns with a hint of reds was present, and individual spinal vertebrae had been crafted and attached to the back.

M.A.D Fashion (2)
The Voodoo Baroness
Model: Steffi Smith

MUA: Rebecca Pletas RM Artistry
Hair: Weeam Aboualshamat & Farah


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Samurai 
Model: Kiem Nguyen 
MUA: Tatiana Angulo MUA 
Hair: Weeam Aboualshamat & Farah

M.A.D Fashion (4)
Peacock 
Model: Debbie Iremiren 
MUA Rachel Rah Walters 
Hair: Weeam Aboualshamat & Farah

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Forest Nymph
Model: Alice Bittisnich 

MUA: Rachel Rah Walters
Hair: Weeam Aboualshamat & Farah

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Gothic Queen 
Model: Kaila Jenkin
MUA: Elizabeth McKenna


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Warrior 
Model: Ren CG 
MUA: Tatiana Angulo  
Hair: Teresa Salafranca Weeam Aboualshamat & Farah

M.A.D Fashion (8)
Warrior 
Model: Ren CG 
MUA: Tatiana Angulo  
Hair: Teresa Salafranca Weeam Aboualshamat & Farah

Next was Von Chibi, featuring hats by Cherry Pie Millinery. This designer showcased wearable looks, from everyday alternative, to business, to gowns for evening wear. The fashion remained in the monochromatic range of greys and blacks, with the gothic classic of purple making its appearance. The hats chosen suited the clothing well, adding an extra interest point to the clothing. Though for the gowns the headpieces were less wearable, and more high-fashion, however they did compliment the outfits and only highlighted the range those particular garments had. The highlight from this designer was a black lace top, black flowing skirt with purple ruffled over skirt, with purple corset, and topped with a simple black crown of purple roses. The look was classic gothic and showcased the range between everyday wear and evening wear.

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Model: Cj Chandler

Harpi was the following designer, and also featured everyday wearable looks. Using textured blacks and silvers, this designer set themselves apart from the others by displaying what their designs looks like on plus sized models, which within in the community famous for corsets and tight lacing being plus sized can be daunting. The highlight for this designer was a black top of brocade fabric, and black tights. The top was fitted at the bust and waist; accentuating these features, before billowing down to the top of the thigh.

M.A.D Fashion (14)
Model: Trelawney Skye
MUA:Jaz Stevenson and Matthew Byron

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Model: Ali Smith

MUA:Jaz Stevenson and Matthew Byron


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Model: Jess Harris-Curley
MUA:Jaz Stevenson and Matthew Byron

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Model: Nick Green
MUA:Jaz Stevenson and Matthew Byron

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Model: Bec Lelen
MUA:Jaz Stevenson and Matthew Byron

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Model: Jenny Amosa
MUA:Jaz Stevenson and Matthew Byron

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Model: Colin Furphy
MUA:Jaz Stevenson and Matthew Byron

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Model: Jenna JalapeƱo Henry
MUA:Jaz Stevenson and Matthew Byron

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Model: Cheryl Fyfe
MUA:
Jaz Stevenson and Matthew Byron

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Model: Kobi Jae
MUA:Jaz Stevenson and Matthew Byron

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Model: Chris Dirks
MUA:Jaz Stevenson and Matthew Byron

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Model: Amy Willows
MUA:Jaz Stevenson and Matthew Byron

Following was Gypsy's Sewing Box, with their runway debut. This designer also featured more costumed looks, but with a focus on sewing. Each costume had their own effective colour scheme, and each character, from Librarian to elf, was cohesive. The highlight for this designer was a black Lolita dress. Featuring puffed sleeves, central panel with ruffles to add texture and interest, and a petticoat which shaped the skirt out into a bell, this dress showed how little touches can make a simple outfit look outstanding.

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Model: Gypsy's Sewing Box

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Model: Acid Intimacy

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Model: Acid Intimacy

Marking the end of the first half of the show was designer Clockwork Butterfly. With the theme of Tea, this designer presented elegant Victorian high fashion, suitable for specific events or if one is feeling eccentric. Following the classic colours of creams, blacks, browns and reds, the garments showed off beautiful brocade fabric, and high level tailoring. This show case not only displayed the classic female and male clothing of this era, but also the androgynous side, with silver Dandy Fop inspired coat. The highlight for this designer was a tailored cream top, with brass butterfly motifs, and featuring a stunning moss green skirt with large bustle at the back and two metre train.

M.A.D Fashion (33)
Model: English Rose
Hair: Emma Johanson Taylor
MUA:Dominique Weir

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Hair: Emma Johanson Taylor
MUA:Dominique Weir

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Hair: Emma Johanson Taylor
MUA:Dominique Weir

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Hair: Emma Johanson Taylor
MUA:Dominique Weir

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Model: Silhouette d'Amour
Hair: Emma Johanson Taylor
MUA:Dominique Weir

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Model: Eloquent Mx Loki
Hair: Emma Johanson Taylor
MUA:Dominique Weir

M.A.D Fashion (40)
Hair: Emma Johanson Taylor
MUA:Dominique Weir

M.A.D Fashion (41)
Hair: Emma Johanson Taylor
MUA:Dominique Weir

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Hair: Emma Johanson Taylor
MUA:Dominique Weir

The start of the second half had magician Julia Madotti, performing a routine involving the appearance of umbrellas and glitter out of thin air. A bubbly and bouncy performance, that amazed the audience; perking them up from the intermission.

M.A.D Fashion (43)

The first designer in the second half was Lady Moon Designs. Showcasing clothing for events, this designer utilized blacks with a pop of rich colours. Effectively using layering, the garments all formed a distinctive silhouette, with a key item to draw in the attention. The highlight for this designer was a black, flowing gown, with tailored deep blue bodice highlighted with blue jewels. This gown also featured draped down the back of the skirt, two blue monarch butterfly wings, a motif and design Lady Moon Designs is known for.

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Following was Assassinus, a two designer team who specialize on metal accessories. Their showcase featured avant-garde looks, with metal corsets, neck pieces, and head pieces. Utilizing black clothing, the metal was either silver or bronze in colour and stood out against the dark fabric to make itself the centre of attention. However, a few of the metal pieces were laced with red lacing, and this distracted the eye from the metal work. The highlight piece from this designer was a skeletal dress frame. Form fitting at the waist, and then curving out at the hips, this piece looked like a spider had made a metal dress around the model.

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Up next was the designer Hiraeth. Featuring wearable, event looks, and a mix in between. Each garment had its own colour scheme, from bright reds, to blues and greens, to deep blacks. The coats were well tailored, and some featured detailed embroidery. Their showcase ended with the message “Who is Hiraeth?”, trying to be a mysterious figure, this could have cost the designer as this event was established for networking; and not putting yourself out their can hinder opportunities. The highlight for this designer was black and blue ball gown. With peacock patterned fabric, the bodice trimmed with gems and skirt billowing out to be four times the radius of the model, it was a beautiful garment

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To finish off the night was Lyris Design. Featuring fantastical costumes, with form fitting gowns and corsets, this designer blurs the line between costume and evening wear. In an event full of long dresses and corsets, this designer stands out with attention to the small details. Corsets had jewels hand stitched for embellishment, sleeves had lace embroidered to add an extra touch. The garments were showed of the tailoring and skill this seamstress has. The highlight of this designer was a nude illusion gown. Using blue and black lace to cover the chest and groin, the lace continued up to form a neck piece, and down to trim the bottom of the gown.

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Model: Silhouette d'Amour
HMUA: Gorejess Designs

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Model: Cj Chandler
HMUA: Gorejess Designs

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Model: Janet Coath
HMUA: Gorejess Designs

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Model: Show Stopper
HMUA: Gorejess Designs

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Model: English Rose
HMUA: Gorejess Designs

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Model: Jeshua Wilson
HMUA: Gorejess Designs

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Model: Jeshua Wilson
HMUA: Gorejess Designs

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Model: Mad Dame
HMUA: Gorejess Designs

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Model: Mad Dame
HMUA: Gorejess Designs

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Model: Vivien Katherine
HMUA: Gorejess Designs

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Model: Angeline Bubsy
HMUA: Gorejess Designs

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Model: Miss Twisted
HMUA: Gorejess Designs

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Model: Miss Twisted
HMUA: Gorejess Designs

M.A.D Fashion (75)
Model: Lady Lithium
HMUA: Gorejess Designs

The night finished on a high, it was a huge success especially for a first time event. The crowd had only praise for the show, and those backstage had only thanks for it running so smoothly. The M.A.D Fashion Showcase gave the Melbourne alternative community what it wanted, and what it needed, in a fashion event. Hopefully after this immense success the showcase will continue.

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