The sun shone throughout the day prompting many to ditch their blazers and soak up some rays. The weather was perfectly paired with the second day of Spring Summer 2012/13 collections dominated by soft colour palettes and prints. We started the day at Toni Maticevski who delivered a graceful ready-to-wear collection with textured fabrics, sculptural cuts and precise beading. Inspired in part by lunar landscapes, the designer nominated a pair of chartreuse pants paired with a golden lace-like peplum top as his key look from the show.

The new venue ‘The Box’ has proved the most frustrating yet intriguing presentation space at MBFWA. Small in size and ideally suited to static presentations, attendees have been required to jostle for elbow room and prime positions. Returning for their third Australian Fashion Week, flowers For a VagabOnd transformed the tiny space into a smoky woodland presenting an interesting tattoo sleeve print spliced with leather, holographic fringing and brights. Later in the day Melbourne menswear label Song for the Mute used stark strobing lighting and lightboxes as the backdrop to a moody and astute collection dominated by light-weight jackets, hoodies and draping.

Floral prints are emerging as a dominant (continuing) trend. Today Talulah showed various flora-inspired prints in watercolour shades of pinks and blues splashed over silk pants, pant-suits and mini-dresses. Project Runway alumni Johnny Schembri had the most original take at by johnny, layering a textured puffy blossom print in white and black over pastels with stiff streamlined shapes.

Highlight
With the sun dipping behind the city skyline, the stage was set at the Australian Maritime Museum for Magdalena Velevska. The softly aquatic theme was touched on in panelled cross-stitching, knobbly tweed and graphite accessorised with striking lace masks and bold zinc lips.

Fashion Moments
Blogger Nicole Warne from Gary Pepper Vintage not only made her runway debut at Talulah but was the opener in a breezy floral print pant-suit. Asked after the show how she felt: “Still excited!” Sydney label Toi et Moi brought the Frenchy-chic complete with velvet chokers and opening with a cute (abeit gimmicky) fille singing sweetly to a guitar serenade.

From the Front Row
Crowds thronged to get into the debut show for Song For The Mute with international bloggers Susie Bubble and Phil Oh sitting front row. Menswear is usually light on the ground at Australian Fashion Week and it’s rarely as good as this – sleeveless hoodies, technical paper-coated fabrics, mohair and enough androgyny for the girls to join in.

Trend Alert
Ladylike and softly sporty is emerging as a season trend with a pastel palette and peplum detailing. We noticed beaded embellished hips at Tony Maticevski and frills at by johnny. On the street, neon is still going strong from last season with acid yellow and sherbet orange a particular favourite.

Words by Lucinda Burtt Photos by Jessi White and Vanessa Low