Contemporary and minimalist fashion were the buzzwords for Designer Runway 2, with the normcore trend of easy dressing here to stay for another season at least.
It was urban minimalism at its rawest at Carly Hunter, with a mostly monochromatic palette of crop camis, smock dresses and overalls, turtlenecks and asymmetrical skirts in a matte almost crinkled textural material. Wet slicked hair and socks and slides perfectly accessorized the simple and laid back look.
In sharp contrast and surely bringing the contemporary feel to the runway was YB J’aime. A vibrant red top and split skirt co-ord with cute chicken print caused clucks from the audience, while floral prints were paired with tailored pieces in rich indigos and soft blushes. Peter Pan colours were given a grown up makeover, and make the perfect racewear detailing on a v neck red lace dress.
Continuing the playful tone was national favourite Alice McCall with soft pastel playsuits, light trench coats and silk boxy jumpers. A mix of girly and tastefully sheer, the green frilly playsuit has a touch of jellyfish about it, while the lipstick smattered candy pink crop and flounced hem skirt will certainly be quickly snapped up by many.
Life with Bird have also embraced the minimalist aesthetic this season, but don’t let the simpler shapes mislead you – a closer look reveals interesting texture and details. Light khaki, fuschia pink and white pieces soon made way for the signature prints LWB do so well, with a perfect spring appropriate print on dresses and flouncy shorts.
Fashion was given an inky injection at Neo Dia, a streak of graphic paint on delicate sheer whites in fuschia and black. Pink prevailed throughout the rest of the collection, with sporty bodycon looks, but the standout was definitely the interwoven weaverbasket leather detailing – on the side of a skirt, the top of a pair of pants and in a stunning finale, the lust-have LBD.
There was a definite sporty feel to local label Kahlo’s collection with metallic culottes and bike shorts, polos and neutral coloured pieces in metallic and suede. Details were the most intriguing – zips on trousers and tops, as well as slanted button lines on a crisp short sleeved shirt.
Manning Cartell offered serious tangerine dreams with their offerings of must-have dresses and skirts for evening wear. From full-on orange dresses to vibrant accents on black cut out dresses, there were varying degrees of this season’s shade for anyone’s taste.
Lui Hon’s silver, black and white tailored collection was a contemporary and minimalist delight. Juxtaposing tailored masculine shapes with nothing underneath, Hon offered structured peplum tops and sharp form fitting pants in a graphic check print as a chic evening alternative.
Closing the runway was Willow, with a perfect sprint take on traditional oriental silks and hand-painted patterns. Loose kimono style dresses and flowing wide legged trousers appeared alongside tight leather pants and vibrant orange floaty dresses – the perfect mix of the past and the present.
Image Credits: Meagan Harding