SO LONG, FAREWELL...

Well fellow fashionistas, it breaks our couture hearts to know that RAFW has ended for another year. After 64 shows, organising 1,044 models and 28,000 guests, consuming 10,000 coffees and 3,000 chicken sandwiches. We hiked 130km of runway, used 462 cans of Redken hairspray and drank 560 cases of Rosemount... it's no wonder we're tired!!

But don't go crying now beautiful people... panda eyes look good on nobody! So what else have we learnt this week? 

• It's all about pale and nude tones in delicate, floaty fabrics
• Sheer layers (HOT TIP: Stock up on good underwear and bodysuits)
• Don't forget to show some skin with hot cutout detail
• Leather toughens the wardrobe. Look for it in lighter colours
• Ruffles are big and layered or small and structured
• Purple. Need we say more? 
• Accessorise with gold jewellery - big, layered, chunky!
• Beauty is fresh and minimal

You're guanteed to have SS 2010/11 eating out of the palm of your hand! Until next year my favourite glamours...

Yours in fashion,
xoxo Fashionista

THE PRODICAL SONS RETURN!!

As RAFW comes to an end, Friday’s schedule is short and sweet – a welcomed change of pace. Today is all about SKIN with the Swim Fashion Week collections from midday… a sure fire way to warm up a chilly Friday!

It burned our retinas to see so many colours again but you know what they say? No pain, no gain! This season is all about poolside glamour. Think embellishments such as sequins, beads, lace and ruffles. Vintage prints, crochet and colourful kaftans. Leopard print, bleeding watercolours, renaissance art. Aboriginal patterns and pink python print – yes, you heard us. Of course there was also sheer, leather and cut-outs, proving that indoor glam can venture out into the light of day and is not purely reserved for after 5. Our favourites of the collection were Blackbox, Lisa Blue and White Sands. Oh, LUST… 

Today also showcased Ms Couture’s sexy vamp lingerie collection for those ladies who like to be fashionable both inside and out and the New Generation runway shows. Ones to watch were designers Flowers for a Vagabond and Khrysalis – keep your eyes on these ones fashionistas, don’t say you weren’t warned! Hussy also injected colour into the season with relaxed minis, floaty maxis and sexy playsuits in vibrant pinks and emerald greens.

Last, but most certainly not least – RAFW was closed by none other than birthday boys (their 10th to be exact!), KSBUI. Without a rat in sight, the collection was all about denim, denim and more denim. Interesting textures, strategically placed rips and cut-outs. After being 3 years absent from Fashion Week, the boys behind the label were welcomed back with highly anticipated open arms and we were so very pleased to see that the collection, titled “One Via Zero” still possessed the typical rawness and denim edge associated with the brand. Oh how we’ve missed you…

Trends: Colour, colour, colour. And prints. And Denim. Lots and lots of denim.
Beauty: Matte shipwrecked hair
Accessories: Gold coin necklaces, embellished cuffs and leather hats
Our Favourite: This beautifully structured Khrysalis dress… and this floaty floral frock from Luisa Fredrica. Please don’t make us choose!!

SAY IT ISN'T SO?!

Well fashionistas, it's the final day of RAFW for 2010.

Today's schedule - short and sweet! If you're anything like us, the SNOOZE button is your best friend. Let's head via Starbucks for a large skim latte and battle through the sleep depravation! Need more motivation? It's called the afterparty and you know what that means? ROSEMOUNT for everyone!!

Yours in fashion,
xoxo Fashionista

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW...

Well ladies, what can we tell you abut today’s shows? We can continue to talk to you about nudes, sheer, cut-out panels and the utilitarian vibe but we’re sure you have the idea by now. Something new we hear you scream?? Well guess what… something new we can do!

Not to take any of the glory off the other talented designers that showcased today, but THREE shows caught our attention. While the colour palette remained relatively untouched, Dion Lee was divine in inky blues, Kirrily Johnston went tribal and Saint Augustine Academy got in touch with their gothic side.

In an upgrade from his Kings Cross car park debut, Lee’s collection featured an ink-blot print and pieces that mixed structured tailoring with softer elements. Cut-outs and overlapping panelling, laser cut hexagons and crisp pleating. We think Lee will have to start wearing sunglasses at night - this collection has without a doubt cemented his position as one of fashions brightest stars!!

Tribal influences were evident in Kirrily Johnston’s showcase, which featured an Aztec print throughout. Loose fitting harem pants and fringed minis featured in lush leathers, nudes and black. The pieces were teamed with ethnic, textured accessories and wrapped headdresses to complete the look. Hot tip? Save on jewellery and wear your hair as earrings!

Cleary riding on the coat-tails of Twilight fame, Saint Augustine Academy appealed to our inner vampire with a collection that was predominately B&W, with a blood red contrast – a collection that was definitely something left of centre for this year’s event. There was triple denim, rivet detailing and shock horror… not a nude or nipple in sight! C’mon ladies, get inspired and find your very own Edward Cullen.

Trends: Structure mixed with softer elements, twists and knots
Beauty: Bold and dramatic. Pale skin, dark eyes, red lips - Saint Agustine style
Accessories: Wide belts, oversized bags, textured neckpieces… hair as earrings?!
Our Favourite: The gorgeous crystal hardware from Dion Lee

DAY FOUR

Is it true? The week is almost coming to an end? Don't shed a tear just yet Sydneysiders, there are still two full days left in RAFW and we can't ask for a better start to DAY FOUR with Dione Lee at the Opera House!!!

Hold onto your Tony Bianco's ladies and don't forget your notebooks - high expectations have been set for this fashionista and Lee is not set to disappoint! See you front row.

Yours in fashion,
xoxo Fashionista

TODAY'S SPECIALS

Hungry for more beautiful people? Luckily we've served up day three on a silver platter and we guarantee that you will want to BITE off more than you can CHEW!!

HELLO COLOUR! Yes ladies, colour has made its long awaited return to RAFW! Although neutrals and khaki still dominated, pastel lilacs, inky blues and sherbet tones were seen on today’s runways. There was also a feel of nostalgia with both Jayson Brunsdon and Anna & Boy taking inspiration from the looks of yesteryear – a distinct 40s, 50s and 60s feel. There was more nude. There was more sheer. But we can’t over look the seasons other emerging trend of cut out panels. Fashionista royalty, Bianca Spender (daughter of Carla Zampatti), Karla Spetic, Phos Phoro and Alice McCall were all fans, with the style featuring heavily in their collections. Who wants to play PEEK-a-BOO??

But there is no denying the belle of the ball was none other than ROMANCE WAS BORN. The most eagerly anticipated show of the week saw Sydney University’s McLaren Hall transformed into a prehistoric jungle! Affectionately called “a whole fruit bowl of crazy”, the collection featured gold embellishment and prehistoric leather, kaleidoscopic prints and sequinned reptilian scales. While we admit it probably wasn’t the most practical collection, we deny the LUST we felt for the obvious stand out pieces. Gold and digital print thigh-high boots, a snakes head shoulder pad dress, high waisted stegosaurs leather skirt and the volcano mini complete with headdress. Our verdict? OMG can only be described as the understatement of the week!

Trends: Pastels, cut-out panels and lace - simple elegance
Beauty: In a word? Retro. Romance Was Born is in a league on its own!
Accessories: Chunky ropes and fringed necklaces
Our Favourite: This super cute look as seen on models at Anna & Boy

HAPPY HUMP DAY!!

Rise and Shine Fashionistas, DAY THREE is here! We're already half way through RAFW for 2010 and there are some delicious designers in store for you! Today's specials include last year's standout's ROMANCE WAS BORN and boy oh boy do we have a crush on them!!

Heads up Glamourzons - the skies have taken on the runways blues and greys. Don't get caught out and bring the brolley...

Yours in Fashion,
xoxo Fashionista

FOR ALL THE COWS?!

A memo to all the cows who follow our blog and no, we’re not talking about your mother in law. Cows as in the ones that moo!! Run and hide. FAST! You are on this season’s MOST WANTED list!

There has been a surge in soft coloured leathers that add SEXY TOUGH appeal to the embellished and sheer pieces that have graced the runways at RAFW, trend that we predict will continue throughout the rest of the week. The collections of Little Joe Woman, Flannel and Friedrich Gray all featured an urban military vibe, teaming khaki with more chunky gold accessories. Though, we’re not so sure on Camilla and Marc mixing turbans with mini-skirts… Either way, there’s no denying it fashionistas, there has never been a hotter time to join the military and stand to attention!

GLITZ and GLAM more your thing? We can always count on fashion week veterans, Nicola Finetti and Alex Perry to put stars in our eyes. Textured party dresses, draped sequins, thigh skimming hems and bold ruffles. Cut out panels also made a return. The real star of the night was none other than Alex Perry. OMG! - with a 1,000 strong crowd and 130m runway, Perry took glamour to another level with his Arabian Goddess themed show. Mini dresses detailed with feathers, beads, lace and sequins. Sharp tailored jackets - he even went a little bit ‘Lady Gaga’ with luxe corseted body suits, complete with no pants! The frocks were full-length and fabulous in lavender, nude and black. In a word? TULLETASTIC!

Trends: Light leathers, lilac and embellishments. Did I mention more sheer??
Beauty: Voluminous hair, smoky eyes and glitter
Accessories: Nose rings - Hello 90s!
Our Favourite: Alex Perry is RAFW royalty, that’s a given, but our pick of the day has to be this look from Little Joe Woman

DAY TWO

Good Morning Ladies - I hope you didn't go too hard on the Rosemount last night, a hangover looks good on no one! Welcome to DAY TWO... See you on the runway.

Yours in fashion,
xoxo Fashionista

CLASS NOTES

Listen up students, you won’t want to miss this! Fashionista is bringing you all the highlights from DAY ONE. Out with your pens and start taking notes - you might just pass this exam with flying colours…

Our word of the day is NUDE – but don’t go reaching for your lemon-detox and birthday suit just yet! Neutral colour palettes reigned, featuring for most of the day. Whether it was draped, knotted or ruffled, colours such as peach, blush pink and khaki were interjected with contrasting digital prints. Leather pieces with sheer paneling – in nude of course - evoked a utilitarian feel in shows from Lucette, Zambesi and Bec & Bridge.

The standout deviation was from bikini babes, Seventh Wonderland who featured marbled technicolour bikinis and our favourite kaleidoscopic kaftan queen, Camilla Franks whose collection took clear inspiration from the Hollywood blockbuster Avatar. We can always count on Camilla for feathers, sequins and animal print and she didn’t disappoint with jungle birds, tribal disco-divas and sexy snake charmers. Aurelio Costrello also jumped on the spangled bandwagon and featured beautiful sequined dresses, topped off with snug fur vests and leather corsets to complete the look.

Want more? Head FRONT ROW for our slideshows. In a rush? Then here’s our cheat sheet…

Trends: Nude, nude, nude! Sheer paneling. Drapes, ruffles and sequins. Memo received – MAXI IS BACK!
Beauty: Chignon buns, neutral make up. Not your thing? Try bed hair teamed with dark eyes
Accessories: Gold and bold baby! Chunky bangles and necklaces
Our Favourite: Lisa Ho - A+ for laid back glamour! A++ for this PERFECT summer heel!

KICK OFF

Fashionista's, we have the perfect cure for your Mondayitis - DAY 1 of Rosemount Australian Fashion Week!

That's right, after days and months of waiting it is finally here! Kick off is 9am Monday and as if you need ANOTHER reason to love us, we have done all the hard work for you - draw your your pretty kohl lined eyes below to find tomorrow's schedule for your exclusive use.

So Sydneysiders, out with your iPhone's, out with your Blackberry's and set those reminders to check in with us after every show. With a schedule like this how could you not like Monday's?!

Yours in fashion,

xoxo Fashionista

WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT???

Ok, so either you've been living under a rock or you've finally come to the realisation that Crocs are no body's friend!

Rosemount Australian Fashion Week is a five day event held in Sydneytown against a glamourous backdrop that is Sydney Harbour.

Celebrating it's 15th year, RAFW 2010 showcases more than 100 designers in 45 shows flaunting this season’s must haves for Spring/Summer.

Sound fabulous darling? Sorry to burst your bubble ladies but this is an exclusive industry-only event so don't forget to check in daily for all the updates from your favourite Fashionista's in the field!!

Yours in fashion,
xoxo Fashionista

10 HOURS AND COUNTING...

Sydneysiders, the time has arrived... only one more beauty sleep until Rosemount Australian Fashion Week begins!! Don't forget to check in regularly for all the glitz, glam and gossip from your favourite Fashionistas.

We bet Sleeping Beauty won't need Prince Charming to wake her with a kiss come Monday morning - see you all tomorrow!

Yours in fashion,
xoxo Fashionista

RAFW AMBASSADOR

Look out ladies, there's a new Queen B in town!

Alyssa Sutherland has just been announced as the official ambassador for RAFW 2010. If you want to know more about this smoking hot Aussie, Vogue Australia can fill you in with all your Alyssa needs.

Yours in fashion,

xoxo Fashionista

2 DAYS TO GO!!

Are YOU ready Sydneysiders??? The scene is almost set - airports are buzzing, PR is working overtime, models are getting beauty sleep and there is a glass of Rosemount with your name all over it... This is going to be one hell of a show! See you on the runway Ladies

Yours in fashion,
xoxo Fashionista