Summary of MBFF

Let's face it, I'm pretty hopeless at consistently uploading pictures and videos. In my defence, if you saw the amount of video and pictures on my laptop from MBFF, you'd perhaps be somewhat more forgiving. Tonight I was ambitious about uploading one of the final videos of fashion week, the declining mental state of volunteers and models by the final night. But of course, it took me 2 hours to edit over 30 minutes of footage, only to be slapped in the face by YouTube in it not allowing me to upload the video.

And in the interest of not getting wacked with a lawsuit by MBFF photographer Ian Golding, I have instead linked you to what I'm referring to in my post MBFF rant. As a disclaimer, I don't consider myself to be overly fashionable or so informed on the fashion industry to have a valid opinion, these are merely my thoughts and musings from behind the scenes.

In a world of BFF's, OMG's and dahhhhhlings, MBFF delievered a multitude of ooh la la moments. However, it also delivered a handful of WTF were you thinking moments.

Let's start with Darb Bridal Couture. I love Brad. He is always a winner in my book, and for a girl who never wants to get married I was only $3000 short of putting almost every dress on layby.

Except for dress number 5 in the gallery, I mean Brad, WTF were you thinking? It's little bo peep meets 8 year old girl who stuck cardboard flowers on a heshen sack and grew up 'destined to be a designer'.

http://mbff.com.au/gallery/day2/Darb/

Now Nat-Sui. Here's the thing. I think your lovely, but with all due respect every time I've met you I've been ahhh, well overwhelmed by your umm super revealing clothes. Power to you and all, and you always have fabulous shoes on so kudos for that, but for a store who has had shoes featured in Vogue and decorated the feet of top models (Kristy Hinze anyone?), I have to ask, WTF were you thinking with the white see through fitted dresses?

Let's be blunt, most models take pride in their body as it is after all, their work. Some however, not so much, and when sporting a fitted white see through number with only a g-string underneath, I can guarantee you people weren't looked at what was on her feet.

The backstory to this being that there were only four of the black dresses and four of the white. Consequently there was this chaotic frenzy of people backstage waiting  for when a model to walk off the catwalk, and would all be yelling QUICK QUICK STRIP HURRY!!!!!!!!

This resulted in some not so pleasant comments by the press and a lot of disgruntled models.

On a plus though, the accessories were a win!

http://mbff.com.au/gallery/day1/NatSui/

I liked the graduate designers. They were pleasant, fun, and very obedient. They happily stood in the corner when they were asked to with zero complaints.

Here's my question though, as someone who can barely thread a needle, I certainly don't prophesise to know ANYTHING about design and am in awe of (almost) anyone who does, but is the wearability of garments ever really considered when designing final collections?

Cause really, WhereTF were you imagining the wearer of this garment going when you designed this?

I totally get the creativity of the garment and that it's wearable art. But if then men of Brisbane can't wear lace up shoes to nightclubs for fear of them using the laces as weapons (always my first instinct in a fight, undo my shoelaces and twirl them around like num chucks), then how the hell will a girl be allowed in a club sporting giant plastic spikes on her shoulders and wrists? That's what I thought..

On a positive note, there were a few kick ass LBD's that I wouldn't mind getting my hands on..

http://mbff.com.au/gallery/day4/graduates/

Ivana and Katerina.

Ladies, I know you are from South Australia, and Brisbane thanks you for helping our economy and flying all this way.

However I have to question WTF you were thinking with your swimwear collection. I mean, was it for the beach? Because we have waves here. And your swimmers are hardly ocean-friendly.

For the volunteers who ran the fitting on your behalf, we were all somewhat confused by the material they were made of. We understood it was lycra. But we didn't understand why it was faded and in fluro colours.

There were also bits of material hanging from several of the swimsuits that resulted in a bit of a gaga-esque 'does she have a penis' controversy. Sorry ladies, but fail. Loved the lollipops though.

http://mbff.com.au/gallery/day2/IvanaKaterina/

I had a few personal favourites this year. I don't think I can really categorise my personal style, so I don't know whether that really came into my top picks, but I do think I considered the wearability, affordability, and overall look of a collection.

I was very much in love with La La Latrobe. I know it's a store, but I didn't realise how fond of just about every piece I would be until I saw them up close. All the pieces are versatile, wearable and so affordable on a uni budget that I'm going to reward myself at the end of semester with an epic spree in the store.

http://mbff.com.au/gallery/day2/LaLaLatrobe/

Now, growing up I spent every Summer, weekend, and spare moment at the coast. I'm a bit of a city girl now, but I think this upbringing has heavily attributed to my love of gorgeous Sunshine Coast label Lilya.

I have to have every single piece. The feel of the collection is exactly how I imagine my summers.

http://mbff.com.au/gallery/day3/Lilya/

I'm a bit fond of Frockshop. I'd heard of it but never really jumped on the bandwagon until I saw the amazing pieces at MBFF. My essential summer nightlife dress is going to be the pink and black striped halter neck.

If you feel yourself looking on the site and drooling, I have exciting news for you.

Online fashion magazine http://www.mylookbook.com.au/  is running a search for style competition. To enter, head over to their facebook page and upload three pictures of your personal style. If you get the most votes by the general public, you win a $1000 Frockshop Voucher. Can you say WIN?!

Happy photoshooting!

http://mbff.com.au/gallery/day1/Frockshop/

As a whole Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival hosted by South Bank this year went off with a bang. It was a pleasure to be involved and I hope that it was as enjoyable for you as a viewer as it was for me behind the scenes.

Until next year fashionistas,

Girl Frocked Up

XO

P.S. Don't forget Frock Paper Scissors comes out in November, so stay tuned for updates on it's arrival.

P.P.S. Enjoy the GirlFrockedUp YouTube channel, lots more videos still to come!

Australian Graduate of the Year sponsored by Nando's.

Note the heels, the spikes, the fear in the models eyes.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VjvbNLAHik

This link will take you over to the Girl Frocked Up YouTube page, since blogspot is anti me showing you any videos. (Not really, they just take 4 years to upload on here).

Highlight of the evening: Free Nando's.

Girl Frocked Up

XO

MBFF Day 1 2 3

As the week progresses I'm finding less inspiration for what I write, as I feel I can't really do the shows justice. You can read all about the shows from the front of the runway on other blogs I've no doubt. Or in most magazines/newspapers/websites. So I've managed to find a spare half hour to slip all my backstage videos from the first 3 days into one and give you a little glance into the sometimes chaotic, always fun, but rarely glamorous backstage antics of MBFF 2010.

Who to look for in the video: Paul Hunt, Liz Golding, Sam Sarva, Olivia Thornton (you'll recognise her as poster girl for MBFF) Darb Bridal Couture, a Berkin bag (oh yes, it's in there. Look for the woman in the camel coloured jumper and denim jeans-also try not to accost her for the bag if you see her in the street) and the endless pre-show dancing pioneered for the most part by Hannah Glasby (who was most upset that she wasn't mentioned more frequently by girl frocked up).

Enjoy!

Girl Frocked Up

XO

MBFF DAY 1

Ok, so I'm really tired. And blogging two days after shows began, but after 16 hour working days my body decided it needed a break and consequently I passed out mid-blog after the first day.

So I have elected to blog Day 1 and 2 on Day 3 (as you do), and do it through pictures because at this point I'm not so with the words, and it's already taken me 45 minutes to write this many sentences (I get a lot of questions asked of me. A lot!).

Make-Up done by the Napoleon Perdis events team. Above: Nicola applies Hannah Saul's first look.

Hair is done by the Schwarzkopf team and I've been lucky enough to get a makeover this week.

National Media Luncheon set up.

So many pieces of paper have been sacrificed for run through sheets.

So very many.

Hannah Glasby for Easton Pearson. Blurred, because she won't stand still.

Incredible Paul Hunt gown.

Stunning crystal necklace.

Kate Squires pioneering a makeover on the fabulous dance troupe for the Lylah Boutique show.

10 minutes, 6 dancers, 20 hair and make up people. The result? An explosion of creativity.

Lylah Boutique.

Sneaky George Wu sketches.

Girl Frocked Up

XO

Codie Young

Picked up the current issue of Vogue? Happen to notice a recurring young model?

 Meet Codie Young, Australia's hottest new model and BFF of Kirstie Clements, modelling exclusively at MBFF for Scanlan and Theodore.

CODIE YOUNG LOVES FROCK PAPER SCISSORS <3

Girl Frocked Up

XO

Modelling 101

I'm not a model. In any way, shape or form. I trip over flat surfaces and walk like an ungraceful elephant. This proclamation today led to Modelling 101 with Kris Harman- designer, Stock Control Manager of MBFF and catwalk extraordinaire.
He is fabulously over the top, wears more jewellry then even I do, and is determined to teach me to walk in a straight line by the end of the week. Power to him.

This in turn led to styling director of MBFF and former top model Liz Golding showing us how it's really done.

Tips from Kris:

For ladies, cross your feet slightly when walking forward for that extra sashay of the hips.

For men, walk straight, keeping your feet more or less parallel to your hips.

ALWAYS: WALK WITH ATTITUDE!!

Girl Frocked Up

XO

Hannah Saul

Girl Frocked Up

XO

Chelsea Donaldson

Today was epic, and a challenge to say the least.

Dedicated that I am to updating everything everyday on my little blog, I'm averaging about 5 hours sleep a night. Nonetheless, I haul myself out of bed and attempt to pretty up each day before taking on fitting after fitting after fitting after fitting.

Today was the final day of fittings for models who were unable to make their previous fittings during the week. Ironically, the two biggest reasons for this was Sydney shows and school.

First off the rank was the so very very beautiful Chelsea Donaldson. At 17 years old she is completing high school by correspondence, just got her P plates, and just finished her first season at Paris Fashion Week.

She is also the cousin of Lily Donaldson, and is driving herself to the fashion festival despite 'growing up in Byron where we don't even have roundabouts'.

Here's hoping she makes it in one piece!

Still looks amazing despite getting up at 3:30am to fly from Sydney to Brisbane for her fitting.

Fitting for Blanc + Delta

CHELSEA DONALDSON LOVES FROCK PAPER SCISSORS <3

Girl Frocked Up

XO

Scanlan and Theodore, and a touch of diamond dust.

This is Matt from Scanlan and Theodore.

I accosted him with my questions in the elevator after he finished his fitting. As one does.

Matt's week went like this:

Monday- Melbourne

Tuesday - Sydney

Wednesday- Perth

Thursday - Brisbane

Friday - Melbourne

Superhero? Almost! He is the national visual merchandiser for Scanlan and Theodore with 10 stores under his control. He is also super speedy at fittings.

 Ticks in all the boxes if you ask me.

This picture is in no way related to Scanlan and Theodore, but I took it, then found it today on my laptop and had to share it with the world. Sells at a starting price of $1000 a piece (approximately).

GORGEOUS jewellry sprinkled in diamond dust. Literally!

See if you can spot it in various shows throughout the week.

Girl Frocked Up

XO

Easton Pearson

The lovely ladies of Easton Pearson were an hour late to their fitting.

They unveiled their collection, and all was forgiven.

With them was Jane Roarty, creative director of Marie Claire magazine.

She's the woman walking with haste to the left of Pamela. So speedy she's a blur.

Girl Frocked Up

XO

La La Latrobe

The collection is gorgeous, lots of glitter, lots of girly flouncy pieces and if you're going to the show - keep your eyes peeled for the shoes.

Girl Frocked Up

XO

Sarva and Princess Chic

I'd like to introduce you to Tanya Williams from Princess Chic, also known as a shoe queen. She has very generously lent her gorgeous little friends to Lady Petrova, Jacqueline Buck and Sarva (just to name a few) and has patiently waited for several hours each day to make sure every designer had what they needed from her. She also brings me an updated run through sheet every day, so extra brownie points to her for that one.

Tanya Williams, Princess of Patience.

Assisting Sarva in his fitting.

Sarva frock.

Girl Frocked Up

XO

Paul Hunt

My interaction with Paul Hunt today went something like this:

Girl Frocked Up: Paul how are you?

Paul: Good darling and you?

Girl Frocked Up: Yes good good, are you winning?

Paul: Winning at what?

Girl Frocked Up: Life, fittings, getting everything sorted...?

Paul: I'm winning at the game definitely.

Girl Frocked Up: ......... Great.

If anyone figures out what 'the game' is, can you let me know? Thanks.

Caroline is so beautiful that you want to cry when you look at her.

It's a serious blow to the confidence first thing in the morning.

Paul Hunt Frocks.

One of my top 5 fittings for the day. Loved (almost) every piece.

Girl Frocked Up

XO

Frockshop

Frockshop hogged racks today. Yep. 

3 of them. 1 of which was meant to go to Easton Pearson.

But they were so lovely about it, and so willingly moved when they were asked that all was forgiven. Especially after they revealed these lovelies:

Tess Alexander.

La'Ace De Vries.

Hannah Glasby.

Girl Frocked Up

XO

Akira

The man himself was unable to attend the fitting today (sad face!) but Liz ran the fitting on his behalf, much to her delight.

I believe her phrase was something along the lines of 'Ahhhh Akira's stock is here! Yum!'

Hannah Glasby wearing Akira.

Pretty sure these dresses are different... took me awhile to figure it out though.

See how I struggled?! 

Girl Frocked Up

XO 

Lotus 76

The lovely Amber ran this fitting for the team at Lotus 76 and did a brilliant job of multi-tasking 14 models, hanging garments, and taking pictures.

Favourites:

Renny, Kate and Amber.

La'Ace. Also known as my new BFF.

Girl Frocked Up

XO

Lisa Ho

If you've never been into the Lisa Ho store in Queen St, go! The team of ladies who run the shop are so efficient you'll be primped and styled and ready to take on the world in no time.

They quietly went about their work and the first I spoke to them was when they farewelled me after finishing their fitting. Kudos to you ladies.

Girl Frocked Up

XO

Nat-Sui

You know what? Nat-Sui rocks the free world.

Gorgeous shoes, the team is divine, and let's face it, who doesn't want to carry around a

Nat-Sui handbag?

These fabulous shoes now have a home with Liz Golding, and very very soon can come to your home too! Their brand new website is just about to launch (after 5 painstaking months of preparation) and these babies will be available to purchase (hopefully) not long after.

Nat-Sui on the feet of proud new owner Liz.

So jealous.

Girl Frocked Up

XO

Bam and Juju Boutique

Today was a challenge. An epic challenge. So since representatives from Bam and Juju couldn't make it, I ran their fitting. And probably increased their business by at least 12 people as almost every model wanted to purchase her outfit. Win!

Here's a few of the favourites.

Taylor Swift lookalike - I literally can't remember her real name.

She just lets me call her Taylor. What a trooper.

Gorgeous Renny in a two piece swimsuit....

...and Renny preparing for the worst. Just in case her top falls down, this is how she plans to redeem herself. Bless her.

Girl Frocked Up

XO