Perth Fashion Festival (PFF) has landed… and how! Last night saw PFF take roost at its new Fashion Paramount home over at the WA Museum’s Hackett Hall, with a divine set of collections setting a high standard. Yes, Melbourne based Yeojin Bae may have hit the mark with incredible tailoring, but it was local label Paper Skye that truly stole the show.
Yeojin Bae’s dreamy yet architecturally tight collection of body hugging dresses was a hit with the ladies. Peach, florals and appliqué flowers were the d’jour rigueur, Spice Girl Mel B sitting front lapping up every stitch and hem. Stunning, yes. But the standout? Sorry, but Perth’s where it’s at!
From the instance Paper Skye’s collection (pictured) hit the dark polished floorboards there was an audible gasp of rapture across the audience. Paper Skye is known for whimsical designs. But tonight? This was dreamy with hard architectural lines, an almost futuristic edge completely unexpected but so welcome.
From the first look, the entire collection held captivation. The flounce was matched with frayed edges, designer Kirsten Shadbolt hitting a whole new level with this all-white range of clothes. She even managed to work in elements from previous collections to great effect, creating gathered panels of sci-fi proportions. Then she sacrificed the all important finale walk, dropping all the lights to flood Hackett Hall in blacklight, the effect ethereal, edgy, and completely otherworldly.
And then, as if that weren’t enough, Shadbolt then came out in one of the parade numbers, although completely done in black, suggesting that yes, there is scope and that yes, the entire range is available in another colour. Overall, this is the level of show we are expecting this PFF. Well thought out, meticulously executed and rendered with enough sense of play to entertain and engage the audience entirely. Shadbolt has already hit the mark on all accounts, making her show a clear standout.
Also of note is Lisa Marjanovich’s debut collection. This is draping wrought and structured, gathered and tucked, all done in a most audacious manner. Some of the seaming and finishes need a little refining, but Marjanovich’s vision is such that she has established herself as one to watch. And watch we shall.
If this is what we can expect from day two of PFF, then there is a palatable anticipation as an onslaught of standalone shows are expected, along with more designer collections on the cards. The overall expectation? One of palatable anticipation!
Scott-Patrick Mitchell
