Fashionistas from all over Australia and the world, came to Sydney to see what Rosemount Australian Fashion Week 2010 had to offer. The Australian fashion industry once again did us proud in showcasing fabulous and talented Australian designers – from avant-garde to modern chic, RAFW 2010 had it all. Let’s take a peek at the Zimmermann and Romance Was Born Spring/Summer collections.

Zimmermann SS2010/11
Nicky and Simone Zimmermann have done it again! From playful day wear to the perfectly fitted swimsuits, this collection had it all. Perfectly matched with deep cherry lips and free flowing hair with the use of high waisted pieces through out the collection became the prominent and memorable feature of Zimmermann’s SS2010/11. From the free flowing range of pants, to the 1950s style bikini bottom, the retro-look was perfectly harmonised with gorgeous floral prints, clean lines and monochromatic colours. Using a subtle colour palette of lilacs, deep mauves, and pastel blues the collections use of draping, pleating and ruching was seen through a range of ethereal like dresses, idyllic for the perfect holiday destination. Button up sleeveless shirts also trended matching the holiday ambiance. Of course Zimmermann’s swimwear range could not go wrong, featuring a fabulous range of bustiered, bandeau tops and off the shoulder cap sleeves perfect for a day in the sun!

This high fashion, retro-styled collection oozed sex appeal and playfulness. Overall the collection successfully took us from our winter mindset to a vision of tropical sun, cocktails and lounge chairs by the pool. Thank you Zimmermann Spring/Summer 2010-11 you’ve made my winter a whole lot warmer!

Renaissance Dinosaur: Romance Was Born SS2010/11
It has to be said, that this years Romance was Born runway at RAFW 2010 was nothing short of spectacular. From the creative minds of Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales, this quirky duo managed to put on one of the most memorable shows of Australian Fashion Week this year. Completely avant-garde, this futuristic, dramatic collection was extravagant, exuberant and above all inspiring.

Taking inspiration from the period style fashion of the renaissance, the collection fused this notion with the Jurassic era of the dinosaurs. Motivated by Galileo’s theory of the earth revolving around the sun and time travel, the collection is futuristic and ambitious presenting a definitive story behind the concept. Described as creating a direct portal between the two eras, the collection uses the idea of the return of the Jurassic creature as a metaphor for the rise of society’s underclass, expressing their beliefs through creative and free-thinking fashion.

The collection’s use of vibrant colour complimented the collections darker undertones representative of the underclass. Layered leather, free flowing silk, ruffles and fringes perfectly matched the presence of heavy and distinguished jewellery, fabulous head pieces, and outrageous Jurassic style masks. As if the collection couldn’t get more extravagant, a collaboration with the brilliant Kate Rohde to create nature-like dioramas as part of the collection highlighted the Jurassic renaissance style theme.

There are no perfect words to describe this year’s Romance was Born SS 2010/11 and unfortunately I have no images to share from the spectacular show – you just had to be there. One thing’s for sure, the collection will leave you inspired and proud of what Australian fashion can produce.

It is clear that this year’s RAFW 2010 was a brilliant display of Australian talent, and will no doubt be bigger and better in 2011. Class dismissed. //MissT

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Featured Contributor: Tiffany Newman

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