Who could forget the week that was Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival 2009? For everyone who attended a show, popped into one of our satellite events or just enjoyed watching the festivities from afar, it was one hell of a RSFF.

We saw all our favourite designers hit the runway for a rerun of their Rosemount Australian Fashion Week shows – who could forget the Jayson Brunsdon show which kicked things off for us on Monday night and the announcement of Dion Lee’s exquisite Rosemount O dress? The former took our breath away again while the latter reminded us that he’s definitely the one to watch. The loosely tailored designs by Karla Spetic and Magdelena Velveska shone through for the ease the clothes emanated, while the perennial favourites Camilla & Marc, Manning Cartell, Zimmermann and Kirrily Johnston who provided strong directional collections to back up successful seasons.

There were chic design addictions from Alex Perry, Seafolly, David Lawrence, City Chic, Summer Holiday presented by V Australia, Hot in the City, Ed Hardy, Christina Augdigier and Smet & Paco Chicano. The runway was full of top Australian models like Elyse Taylor, Rachel Rutt and Australia’s Next Top Model winner Tahnee Atkinson, but the women who really shone last week were the plus sized models who showed that big is beautiful on and off the runway.

Did you enjoy the In Conversation talks with your favourite designers? My personal favourite was chatting the designers before their in store talks, I love Tigerlily’s Amelia Stanley enthusiasm about the perfect bikini and Camilla Franks talk about a ‘mantan’.

And did you spy as many fabulous faces in the front row of RSFF? From sports women and men, television personalities and most importantly you the ticket holder – without your attendance and enthusiasm Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival wouldn’t exist. We’ll be back for another round with RSFF 2010, so stay tuned!

If you’re having trouble letting go, you can always watch the videos again and again.

All good things have to come to an end so when it came time to sit down and watch the final show – the RAFW review show 5 – it was like the missing links were finally found. Who could forget the stunning colours and that kite in the Ginger & Smart show, the tough-chic body-con styles from Camilla & Marc, the adorable swimwear from Anna & Boy and of course the drumming antics of Chaingang’s drummer Skarlett Scaramore coupled with Marnie Skillings‘ romantic designs? Not wanting to waft too lyrical, it was the perfect combination to finish off the fabulous puzzle that was the Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival 2009.

William Street in Paddington came alive over the weekend when it shut up shop to cars on Saturday for the Little Paddington Laneway Festival. Home to brands like Ginger & Smart, Leona Edmisdon and Ruby & Min it has always been the place to be for designers and the place to shop for fashion lovers. With Sydney-siders hitting the streets in numbers, they were entertained by street musicians, photography displays and free fairy floss as they wondered around the shops and enjoyed the sights.

Check out more photos below.

(more…)

It was the show that was eagerly anticipated by fashionistas all over town when tickets first went on sale, because as a showman Alex Perry can sure draw an enthusiastic crowd. The show started on a little bit of a somber note with Little Black Cocktail Dresses gracing the runway before his show stopper gowns – full length sequined numbers and frou frou pink gowns adorned with ruffles cascading down – wowed the crowd who all applauded loudly at the end. With the latest Australia’s Next Top Model winner Tahnee Atkinson modeling a little sequined number with a balloon skirt the crowd definitely got what they paid for, an entertaining show with some celebrity high jinx and glamourous gowns. And isn’t that just what a showman is suppose to do?

How much Redken hair product is required to do a week’s worth of shows at the Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival? While this is probably only one of many suitcases full of used Redken hair products from the week, the sheer volume of bottles in that suitcase is just astounding! Hairspray is obviously a must for any fashionshow and then I spy my personal favourite, Redken’s Iron Silk ultra straightening spray, for days when you want poker straight hair with no kinks appearing during the day.

With fans like Paris Hilton and Britney Spears it’s no surprise that last nights Ed Hardy, Christian Audigier and Smet & Paco Chicano show on the Rosemount Runway was packed to the rafters. Their tattoo inspired collection hit the runway with cheers from the crowd and was the rock n’ roll spectacle they promised with sexy swimwear and lifestyle pieces embellished to the nines with tattoo-style prints and rhinestone detail. The show was pulled together by a rocking soundtrack, models with attitude and funky dancers to finish things off.

Romance Was Born at Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival

It was the Rosemount Australian Fashion Week review show to watch out for, and with Romance Was Born, Antipodium, Konstantina Mittas and TV in the lineup, one definitely expected a show. We were whisked back to April when Romance Was Born took our breath away with an underworld inspired collection, this time the clothes were a little more commercial (after all a Iced Vovo get up may not go down too well at the bars and clubs around town) but just as stunning. There were chic little black dresses with scalloped detail around the décolletage with lace sleeves, cute little polka dot shorts paired with romantic white blouses, chic skirts and mix and match combinations with translucent piaettes sewn on for a mystical effect. There may not have been mermaids and mermen, but it was just as beautiful.

We felt those familiar twinges of lust when we spied the Make Believe jewellery in the Antipodium section, the pairing were the chicest duo in a show that combined beautiful craftsmanship with a fantastical imagination. Perhaps if we wish hard enough, a winning lottery ticket will land in out lap and it can be all ours.

(more…)

Paddington is set to come alive tomorrow and Diesel will be right there partying along with everyone. Their Oxford street store will be transformed into an urban lair of denim frenzy and rocking music as part of their Diesel : U : Music imitative to promote up and coming local music talents. And while you’re in store enjoying the atmosphere, bring along your old Diesel denim between 12pm – 2pm and get a new pair for half the retail price! With their new pricing structure in place, it means you’ll be paying even less for a pair of jeans you’ll never want to part with.

Word on the street is that William Street in Paddington is set to go under quite a transformation. Our lips are sealed on the particulars, but let’s just say this pretty picture will be looking a lot different from tomorrow for the Little Paddington Laneway Festival as part of Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival’s Paddington Alive initiative. With William street closed off for traffic from Saturday morning, the festival will bring you the best of fashion, music and the vibrant community have to offer. So pop down between 10am – 6pm and check it out for yourself!

See you there!

Whether you loved Jayson Bunsdon’s opening gala show or yesterday’s City Chic show, you can relived all the action from the Rosemount Runway through our videos here. Watch all the backstage antics and check out your favourite looks on the runway all over again!