Bigger Fashion

Couple of weeks ago (this post is long overdue) I was at the Love 2010 Fashion Parade on Oxford street. While I was munching on some tasty canapés, several models and brands battled for some cool prizes. But before that Gisela Ramirez launched her plus-size collection. And I mean PLUS size! Her motto: "Big women should not cover themselves and should embrace their bodies". See for yourselves:

 

The designs were pretty cool and I wouldn't mind wearing the chiffon and sheer fabrics kaftans. But this leads me to think: "OK. Now that the fashion world is embracing plus size models and designs for the plus size population, what about those of us who are in the middle?"

I mean there are loads of people out there who are not tiny AUS size 6, nor plus size (AUS) 16. So what about us, inbetweeners (no pun intended)? When will we see normal size models and designers who design for people within  the normal size range?

On a more positive note, African dance group Saea Banyana heated up the atmosphere, while local talent Mike Champion sang some groovy tunes.

Sea Banyana rocked it! Now I'm really keen on learning some African dance moves!

P.S.:
Next post on VOGUE Fashion's Night Out!!!  

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival Sydney

Last week was a whirlwind of fashion, friendship and festivities. The MBFFS was in town and boy did it bring the city's fabulous fashionistas! As a volunteer I had the chance to watch most of the shows, but the ones that I liked best were Camilla's colourful kaftans, the Australian Fashion Week Review (the grand finale was just spectacular! Too bad I didn't have my camera with me for the show :( ) and most importantly the Runway for Research show. Why? Well because the show was a part of the National Breast Cancer Foundation's 'Fashion Targets Breast Cancer' campaign (initiated by Ralph Lauren) for breast cancer research. It was very emotional to see breast cancer survivors and their family members walk down the runway in beautiful gowns alongside professional models.

The campaign, whose main slogan is 'Add to your wardrobe. You could save a life.', has teamed up with various designers, including Camilla, Akira and Lisa Ho, to raise fund for and awareness of breast cancer research by drawing on the elements of elegance, fashion and inspiration. To date Fashion Targets Breast Cancer has raised over $2 million in Australia.

Overall, the event was ultimately what it set out to be - consumer-focused, entertaining and inspiring. The atmosphere was more relaxed than the one at fashion week; the models smiled, the guests were excited and happy to be there and no one had their nose up in the sky! I enjoyed every moment of it. I'm glad to have made some new fashion-loving (yes, I just made that word up :p) friends and to have met some lovely bloggers. Now I feel I am a part of the blogosphere :)

 Au revoir mes amis!

Fashion and Dance

Fashion and dance. Dance and fashion. Whichever way you put them, you can't deny it's quite a mix. And it's really exciting for me to see a fusion of movement and clothes as these two have been my major hobbies for the past few years. Unfortunately I'm neither a fashionista, designer or model nor a professional dancer. But that doesn't mean I can't enjoy these arts, right? I want to show you something I read in an e-newsletter several weeks ago:

This is 'Move', directed by Dominique Palombo for Rachel Roy's Spring 2011 Collection. The first words that sprang to my mind when I watched it were: 'What on earth is this? I like it, it's cool!'. Ok, I'll be honest with you - the second part (I like it, it's cool) came a bit later. It took me some time to digest the idea. But now I see the originality and creativity behind this: isn't it similar to contemporary art - quirky, abstract and difficult (if not impossible) to understand? It is indeed artistic, unusual and quite innovative. 

I also like the combination of dance styles. From ballet, contemporary and jazz to street, popping and hip hop - this film puts the latest dance blockbusters to shame. I'm really surprised at how well the different styles mixed and the flow from one to another all at a perfect rhythm. 

On the other hand, this video is also meant to be a promotional tool. It's an interesting idea, but will it work in the world of business? In my last few lectures the class was continuously told how marketing is becoming more people-oriented. So what do we, consumers, have to say? I posted the video to my hip hop group's Facebook page and asked for their opinion. According to them the film has great appeal to dancers and people who enjoy to party (and dance), however what about those who don't appreciate this vibrant art? 

It will take some time to measure the success of fashion dance films, but to me this video creates an aura of cool for the Rachel Roy brand. It sort of says: 'You don't have to be a preppy, uber-sophisticated dame (or monsieur) to wear our clothes'. Sigh, I can't afford this yet...

On a different note, here's the Australian equivalent of the ever more popular fashion dance films:

A Dance For One. from LOVER® on Vimeo.

Entitled 'A dance for one', this film (which you can watch here) was directed by Alice Wesley Smith and Kasia Werstak for Australian label Lover and follows the story of Senior Artist Amber Scott of the Australian Ballet Company. Although not as exciting as 'Move', this film is a proof of a growing trend in the fashion industry to use the creative fusion of dance and fashion as a showcase tool.