VAMFF Wrap: National Graduate Showcase

Australia’s next crop of talented fashion designers showcased unusual and inspiring collections as Central Pier played host to the National Graduate Showcase last night.

Photo: Lucas Dawson

The National Graduate Showcase presented us with big ideas, innovative design and a whole lot of talent. From androgynous pieces to distinctly feminine collections, there was something to excite and surprise everyone in the crowd.

Molly Younger

Molly Younger’s collection kicked the show off with a statement – latex dresses and coats and gloves covered in cracked paint paired with leg warmers. Younger’s collection was eerie and sterile, sharing a strong resemblance to Maison Martin Margiela. Not for the faint-hearted.

In a word … Unusual

Lillian Chan

Intricate laser-cut leather paired with silk layers, textured fabrics and woven details. Chan’s collection brought together beautiful textures and materials, creating dreamy, soft, girly silhouettes.

In a word … Delicate

Photo: Lucas Dawson

Yan Wang

Yan Wang’s menswear collection was graphic and monochromatic, with boxy shapes and unusual details. Suits with structured, cubed collars, black-and-white check pants paired with zigzag shirts and 3D detailing were all very unexpected.

In a word… Bold

Edwina Sinclair

Drawing inspiration from emoticons and pop art, Edwina Sinclair presented a range strong in colour and texture. With knitted onesies and matching hats, dresses resembling hospital gowns, colour blocking and an amazing ankle-length pastel pink coat.

In a word … Colour

Roxane Chan

Pastel denim two-pieces, boxy shapes, raw edges, crop tops, overalls and tartan. Roxane Chan’s collection was fun in a ’90s-meets-today way, her standout number a cropped two-piece in mustard and denim check.

In a word ... ’90s

Photo: Lucas Dawson

Wing Chiang

A beautiful range of delicate floral dresses, shirts and jumpsuits. Chiang drew inspiration from daisies, using the flower consistently in her striking prints. Pastel greens, reds and blues were perfectly matched with silk layers and structured, yet feminine shapes.

In a word … Pretty

Photo: Laura Grogan

Juliette Booth

Juliette Booth’s striking designs were created to be worn by men and women – she removes the darts from her garments to create unisex pieces. The result is a really cool collection of oversized jumpers and hooded vests, in quilted, graphic fabrics, paired with baseball caps and tough, gold hardware.

In a word … Edgy

Chin Hau Tay

An unusual menswear collection of oversized, red-and-green tartan jumpers and jackets with fur detailing, plus a fitted, red-velvet suit. Parts of this collection resembled oversized teddy bears, a mixture of textures, fur and velvet, and one very large, fluffy, full-length red fur coat.

In a word … Bizarre

Gabrielle Brown

A mesmerising collection of intricate layers and 3D printing, delicate silks and structured neoprene, perfectly put together to create a striking and hypnotic range. The standout piece was a white, neoprene bodysuit, featuring a 3D printed collar and a beautiful woven skirt. Gabrielle Brown is one to watch.

In a word … Attention to detail

Photo: Laura Grogan

Anne Marie Gruber

Inspired by the film Vertigo, Anne-Marie Gruber’s range included geometric-shaped tops, knitted hotpants and shift dresses. Very space-age, Gruber’s pieces used bold lines, shapes and textures with a monochromatic colour palette of greys, blues and greens.

In a word … Original

Victoria Thaniotis

This range was full of bold colours and shapes with a focus on texture, such as needle-point felting and surface manipulation. The standout piece was a beautifully structured grey and orange backless dress, showcasing a strong eye for detail. Bold and innovative.

In a word … Fearless

Tan Thanh Trieu

Inspired by architecture and the green on his Vietnamese passport, Tan Thanh Trieu presented a stunning, well-thought-out collection. Models dressed head to toe in long, textured, green silhouettes, with beautiful shapes and detailing such as fringed hats and voluminous fabric panels.

In a word … Mesmerising 

Runway Takeaways

Expected? Show-stopping talent

Unexpected? Men’s jackets reminiscent of teddy bears

Highlight: Gabrielle Brown’s intricate detailing

Overheard … Onlooker: “It’s high fashunn, darlink.”

Spotted … A woman with a light-up tulle skirt and blue hair sitting front row

Photo: Laura Grogan

Source: Broadsheet