MSFW - Designer Series Gala

Thom and I
What I Wore
Top: Dion Lee dress worn as top
from Green With Envy
Skirt: Magdalena Velevska
Shoes: Tony Bianco Carlottas
Ring: Molten Store

MSFW's first official runway show was a display of colour and texture, featuring some of the country's most talented designers.

I attended the Designer Series Gala with Thom from the amazing blog, Everyone's Celebrity.

Guests were treated to beautifully constructed gowns with detailed draping and embellishments, carefully tailored suits and vibrant colour.

The face of MSFW, Sophie Van Den Akker opened the show in an amazing Richard Nylon headpiece and was joined on stage by ethereal looking models dressed by up-and-coming designers Neo Dia.

Sophie also closed the show in a dramatic black Rachel Gilbert gown.

The night wasn't without controversy with PETA protesters interrupting Rachel Gilbert's runway show, angry at the designer's use of fur in her AW11 collection.

Despite this, the runway was a great success and showcased a great range of Spring/Summer looks which no doubt will be seen on fashion lovers this season.

Check out some of the pieces from the night:

Richard Nylon Millinery dressed by Neo Dia

Christine

Nicolangela

Arthur Galan

Yeojin Bae

Dom Bagnato

Thurley

Gwendolynne

Aurelio Costarella

Rachel Gilbert

Some of the amazing MSFW volunteers!
Without them, MSFW would not be possible!

Images by Thom Wilton

Marie Claire's 2011 Red Dress Campaign

Marie Claire is doing their bit to raise awareness about heart disease in women by auctioning off 9 beautiful dresses created especially for the campaign by some of Australia’s leading fashion designers. Worn by some of Australia's most stylish celebrities, these beautiful photos feature in this month's marie claire. The money raised from this great campaign goes towards the invaluable work of the Heart Foundation.

Heart disease is the leading killer of Australian women. However, of the leading killers it is arguably the most preventable. The Heart Foundation improves health through funding world-class cardiovascular research, guidelines for health professionals, informing the public and assisting people with cardiovascular disease.

This exclusive auction closes June 11, so don't miss out! Check out the beautiful dresses below and click on the link to bid! Grab yourself a one of a kind dress while doing your bit  to raise money for a worthwhile cause.

Alex Perry worn by Megan Gale

Collette Dinigan worn by Miranda Otto

Dion Lee worn by Sophie Lowe

Ginger & Smart worn by Sonia Kruger

Lisa Ho worn by Stephanie Rice

Michael Lo Sordo worn by Melanie Vallejo

Ellery worn by Jennifer Hawkins

Willow worn by Ruby Rose

Yeojin Bae worn by Pia Miranda

Images courtesy of http://ebay.com

Désir du jour - Yeojin Bae

Australian designer Yeojin Bae was born to be in fashion. After negotiating her way into a degree at Sydney's Whitehouse Institute of Design when she was 15 when the minimum age was 16, Bae went on to work with Marc Jacobs and Anna Sui in New York, and Charlie Brown, Marcs and Saba in Australia, before starting her namesake label in 2006.

In 2007, she won the Tiffany & Co Young Designer for the Year Award, and in that same year, Bae was selected for a Designers for Target collaboration which introduced her label to a new audience.

Jess Hart in one of Yeojin Bae's
statement dresses

Unlike most designers who have a shows early on in their careers, Bae has made the conscious decision to build her label first before having her first show at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week this May.

Taking the time to build her label and develop as a designer has paid off for Bae. Bae's designs are stocked in over 90 stockists globally, including Barneys and Henri Bendel in New York, Harvey Nichols in Dubai, Matches in London, and Myer in Australia. Bae's label is regularly seen on Australian It-girls Jess Hart, Lara Bingle and Jodi Gordon.

Bae's first sale to Barneys was unique to say the least! Two months after launching her label, Bae flew to Europe with her sample collection to meet with agents and distributors. Not ready to give up after numerous emails to buyers went unanswered, Bae took a risk and called Barney's vice president and head of buying at the youth-oriented Co-op stores after a friend passed on his number to her. After arranging a 15 minute meeting to show him her designs, Bae walked away with an order for 6 stores. Before the orders had even arrived in New York, Barneys increased their order to 16 stores.

Silk Shantung Cuff Pant in Shiraz

What seemed like a risky strategy was actually well planned out. Bae had been travelling 3 times a year for a decade, analysing each market to determine the price point of her collection, and how to set her pieces apart from other designers.

With Bae's much anticipated SS11 collection soon to be released, Bae has indicated that she has "been exploring modern lingerie . Not frothed and lacy, but more graphic and lineal."

The tailoring on Bae's pieces are second to none. The lines are cuts are carefully designed to compliment the wearer's figure. Already the owner of a Yeojin Bae suit (one of many Yeojin Bae pieces I own!), I fell in love with these Silk Shantung Cuff Pants. The beautiful rich shiraz colour and flattering tapered leg are a modern twist to a wardrobe classic. Available at Yeojin Bae's online store for $450, they would be the standout piece of any outfit.

In a tough industry, I admire Bae's dedication to perfection. She has taken her time to ensure that she is ready for every opportunity she undertakes. With a lot of designers taking a short term view to business, Bae is clearly in it for the long haul. With her talent and determination, I have no doubt she will have a long and successful career in the fashion industry.

Information sourced from http://www.theage.com.au/small-business/managing/ahead-of-the-fashion-pack-20090619-cnip.html?page=2 and Grazia - 2 May 2011
Images from http://yeojinbae.com and http://www.facebook.com/yeojinbae