McLean & Page- Manly: MBFWA Buyer's Diary 2012

DAY ONE:

Staff Style File

Elin wears Willow Jacket, Acne Dress & Orbell Clutch with vintage Necklace.

Kendall wears Bassike tank dress, Aje Dress, Helmut Lang Jacket, Acne boots with Alexander Wang Bag

BLAM ! Well day one hit the ground running with Romance Was Born. Our team was coffee-d up, we'd found a park at our first location, we'd collected our passes from the PR gurus, and made it up the wooden wharf stairs with our heels still upright and our dignity still in tact. The set up was super cool with a triangle shaped runway and an open view of the water. The show started with a soundtrack of sirens and car chases that had guests headturning and toe tapping with excitement. POW ! First model hits the runway - with flame coloured hair and sky high heels, covered head to toe in RWB's signature crazy coloured prints but with a cartoon twist. Comic books were the flavour of the collection with every design featuring a bold comic art and the models styled like superheroes. The front row was filled with celebs, we spotted Lara Bingle, Pip Edwards, Miranda Otto, Sass & Bides Sarah Jane Clark, Kate Waterhouse, Kirstie Clements plus plenty more. We were literally BLOWN AWAY by the show and wished Manly's corso could rock a cartoon print bomber jacket as well as Montana Cox did - maybe we should give it a try ?!

Trying not to let our heels get stuck in the floorboards

Collecting our Fashion Week passes

RWB true to form with weird and wonderful decorations

Fashion blogger "4thandbleecker" rocking celine heels & celine jersey/dress

Pip Edwards front row

BLAM

Elin & Nicole, racing to our next show

Saying bye to RWB Location - beautiful morning

After a quick swing by Jackie's Cafe in Paddington to chow down some brekky after our 7am start, we jetted to the International Passengers Terminal on Sydney Harbour for the Gary Bigeni show. His collection featured similar shapes to what we've seen him produce before but in new, fun fabrics. Lots of spots and orange & blue hues. I spied Fashiontoast's Rumi Neely with Bryan Boy front row, opposite Style Me Romy. Not a bad guestlist for Gary if you ask me. He popped out to say thanks after the show featuring a fluro blue hairdo and a super wide grin.

Brekky at Jackie's Cafe in Paddington

Onsite for Gary Bigeni

Getting settled before the show

Style Me Romy in her green fur featuring Bryan Boy opposite

Lights, Camera, Action

Zig Zags & Spots

Time to hustle our way to Neild Ave for the Kirrily Johnston show. We knew we were in for a treat when we pulled up & parked to find a line of guests waiting to enter the venue. The fashion on the street was 'next level' and I was secretly snapping bags and heels and taking mental notes of outfits left right and centre. With a treat of champagne & a goodie bag full of fun, we settled into our seats on the edge of the runway which curved all the way through the restaurant. Hats off to the organisers of the show - it was perfectly produced. The models entered each section of seating and weaved around each other to show off the collection which, might I say, was BEAUTIFUL. The traditional blacks and whites and clean cut leathers were complimented by Kirrily's summer designs featuring pops of pink, sexy swimwear and black strappy wedge heels. Christine Centenera sat opposite with her note pad poised and her head to toe black ensemble, I was in heaven between Kirrily's collection and observing glimpes of Christine taking style notes. PR giants like Emma Van Haandel & Roxy Jacenko were among the guestlist also, the place was packed and Kirrily deserved and received a long round of applause for her talent this season and always.

Shoe heaven

Goodie Bags

Wall art at Neild Ave

Pops of pink

Leather

Christine Centenera

El Loco for a quick taco lunch

Taco time !

Just as we thought the day couldn't get any better, and (to be honest) feeling a little weary after three exciting, full on shows, we swung by El Loco in Surry Hills for a delicious & quick lunch before Manning Cartell. The Manning girls held their show in a church building in Darlinghurst and (for once) we actually arrived early..only to see a mass crowd of General Admission guests already lining up for the show. We snuck up the front and waited eagerly to be seated. Door opened and the set up was very church meets assembly school hall with a long runway down the centre and rows of wooden benches. After a bit of a wait (while watching the paparazzi snap Lara Bingle, Kate Waterhouse and Megan Washington in their front row seats) the lights dimmed. I have chills recollecting this moment because the moment the DJ hit play, we were dancing on the spot. The collection was AMAZING - white lace, bright graphics, structured jackets, embellished trousers, floral dresses. We were truly blown away. Azealia Banks and M.I.A headlined the playlist while the models tore up the runway and my eyes were honestly so glued to the action that I struggled to remind myself I had to take a photo or two. A winning collection and a perfect way to end our day one at MBFWA.