10 Most Memorable Moments from Telstra Perth Fashion Festival 2015

Ethereal forest nymphs at Akira, glitter and unicorns at Jaime Lee and romantic opulence at Phuong My, a week out from the conclusion of a whirlwind 6 days, I’m sharing my top 10 most memorable moments from Telstra Perth Fashsion Festival 2015. Read on below.

1. Kia Low opening TPFF 2015

The opening night of TPFF, presented by Perth boutique Dilettante commenced with what seemed to be a live stream of models prepping backstage, culminating in stunning international model Kia Low walking out onto the runway in the flesh. That pared back styling, wearing nothing but a volumnious Yang Li black skirt, and Kia covering her front by nonchalantly clutching a luxe leather jacket – cool.

See all the looks from the Dilettante show.

2. The red sneakers at Akira

Of all the powerful images from Akira’s beautiful and evocative show, it’s that red Adidas sneaker juxtaposed against the ethereal silk clouds that ring out in my memory. Of course, the colour red is an important letmotif in Japanese culture, but for Akira, styling his models with red footwear is one of his iconic flourishes. One can’t help but relate back to that particular piece of fashion folklore: at Akira’s first runway show, unable to afford shoes for his models, he sent models down the runway in red socks instead.

See all the looks from Akira’s show.

3. The big squeeze in the photographer’s pit

With everyone straining their necks towards the runway, an often unseen spectacle at fashion shows is the big squeeze of photographers in the pit.

4. The winning costume design at Future Runway

Student runways always offer fashion forward feasts for the eye and mind, and at TPFF this year a certain violet gown by Giorgia Santacaterina was the winning costume design.

See all the looks from Future Runway.

5. When Emily Suresh attended TPFF with her adorable daughter

Talk about the recent trend of fashionista toddlers like Alia Wang and Ryker Wixom who have better style than half the grown ups I know – it looks like Perth has its very own. While I couldn’t decide which of Perth blogger Emily Suresh and her daughter’s outfits I loved more, I knew I had to get a photo.

See more streetstyle photos from TPFF here and here.

6. When Eva Scolaro saved the Phuong My finale 

It goes without saying that Eva Scolaro’s velvety contralto voice was the perfect accompaniment for Phuong My’s show – a richly romantic and visually enthralling collection – but what really made the Phuong My show memorable for me was when Eva’s mic cut out at the big closing, and she just kept right on singing, like the professional that she is.

See all the looks from Phung My’s show.

7. Aelkemi and Steph Audino’s couture face-off

Two cult Perth couturiers teamed up to deliver one big show on Day 5. There were modern and playful re-imaginings of classic silhouettes at Steph Audino; at Aelkemi, intricate detailing and drama (in the form of plunging V cuts and mesh jump suits) were a visual feast that the eyes hardly knew where to look first.

See all the looks from Aelkemi here and Steph Audino here.

8. Dita Von Teese’s entrance on closing night

Dita Von Teese made a special cameo at Wheels and Dollbaby‘s show for TPFF 2015’s closing shown. The audience went wild as the international burlesque star kicked off the show in a golden sequined gown.

9. Those dragon boots at Jaime Lee

Jaime Lee’s designs are always ingeniously imaginative, celebrating with abandon the fruit loop guzzling, bead hoarding and glitter obsessed child in us all. What, then, would illustrate this better, than a pair of intricately crafted (teeth and all) dragon themed boots, paired with embellished body-con mini-dresses and white blonde bangs.

10. … and the big confetti finish

See all the looks from Jaime Lee’s show.

Credit: words in collaboration with Matt Huxley