Lover SS 11/12

First of all... I love the sleek hair and red lips, it's really elegant and classic.

I really loved the structure of all the pieces, which combined with flirty and delicate fabrics created really modern and feminine looks.

The whole collection was chic to a tee... Each look possessed a subtle sensuality, which ultimately ensures a woman feels and looks confident and fabulous, and each model oozed that on the catwalk.

One of my favourites was the oversize blazer, paired with lace bloomers... Lover really incorporated the masculine with the feminine to create a really fun and sexy look.

All in all, it was a really great collection for women... every piece was wearable and super chic.

Gail Sorronda SS 11/12

After seeing the first three looks all I could think of was - Amish. But then I saw the fourth look and the white mini with knot detail was just divine!

However, I think I got excited too soon.... Because after that I just got really confused. Most of the collection was totally unwearable and too overbearing with too much fabric. Even Samantha Harris who would look gorgeous in a potato sack looked a little off in a white poofy number.

I have to say, the pieces I liked from this collection, I really liked. They were crafted to perfection... I just really wish there was more of that and less of the rest.

I really appreciated the monochromatic nature of this collection, because black and white is just so effortlessly chic. But I just didn't get this collection... it really was Amish meets E.T.

Karla Spectic SS 11/12

This collection is very reminiscent of something you would see on the catwalk for Jil Sander or Dries Van Noten, with its noticeable use of colour blocking and tailored shirts and pants.

I really enjoyed the use of colour and some of the prints from this collection... But I felt they weren't really used all that well, and it all became a little repetitious and fell a little flat. Unfortunately it took me til the 30th look to get a really excited about the navy and white mini.

Flannel SS 11/12

Flannel's collection was without a doubt dedicated to the 70s. Tassels, crochet, leather, hot pants, statement necklines and collars all featured dominantly.

The introduction of colour in the middle of the show was fun and a nice change of pace. I really enjoyed how each look was totally different from the next, it kept things entertaining. Despite the variation in looks, they all followed the 70s theme, which made it work and cohesive. However some of the looks ended up looking like sleepwear, or slips, which I couldn't quite understand.

I did like this collection... But I question the existence of leather jackets and the use of velvet in a Spring/Summer collection, particularly in Australia... It's just not really appropriate.

Kirrily Johnston SS 11/12

Season after season Kirrily Johnston brings us her classic take on exaggerated cuts and fabrics.... yet somehow she masterfully creates something new and exciting every time, and this collection is no different.

Each piece appears to be so casually draped, yet upon closer inspection such intricate detail is revealed, and what seemed so effortless is actually so carefully constructed. What I love about Kirrily's collections are that you never know what to expect. I certainly did not expect to see a tan leather maxi dress in any of these Spring/Summer shows or a metallic gold dress with tan suede sleeves... did you?

What else is so great about her shows is the minimal styling, this show really exemplifies this, with all the emphasis on the clothing, with really major hair that creates a fabulously dramatic look.

She totally nailed the combinations of neutral tones and warm hues with the mixture of textures from various fabrics... It kept me on my toes and always wondering what was next? A truly intriguing collection.

Arnsdorf SS 11/12

Firstly, I just need to get it off my chest how much I love white! White in summer is just so chic, beautiful and fresh... and when I saw that the first half of the show was in white I nearly died - brilliant! But I wasn't terribly keen on the clothes themselves... Until I saw the all white shirt and short ensemble, that's when I got really excited... My favourite Spring/Summer piece has to be a perfectly tailored pair of shorts, and this pair ticked all the boxes!

.... But then I started to lose interest again. An oversized hot-pink jacket/dress, just really doesn't cut it for me in a Spring/Summer collection, or in any kind of collection, and I wasn't particularly fond of the styling. But then... a nude silk dress with a bright orange bag and things started to get exciting again. The draping and the detail in the rest of the collection cannot be faulted... It was fab!

Finally, the navy jumpsuit; nearly made me drool. My feelings towards navy mirror my feelings towards white - I love it!

Alex Perry SS 11/12

Geometric and structured cuts at it's finest. Alex Perry is the ultimate Australian couturier.

This collection flaunted big bows and exaggerated structured skirts... these elaborate additions are distinctive features in all of Perry's collections, and is keeps the label interesting and exciting, season after season.

This collection had a particularly oriental feel to it, with statement collars and kimono type fabrics. This along with a combination of fabrics and textures, as well as juxtaposing the structured with the unstructured really made for an interesting and unsuspecting collection. I particularly loved how the lace made a brief but bold appearance!

Bec & Bridge SS 11/12

I am so happy that Bec & Bridge have finally stepped away from their body-con dressed with cut out detailing and have decided to really stepped it up with a really fun and cute collection!

Like Zimmermann, Bec & Bridge has really experimented with the 70s trends, with low cut necklines, super high slits, hats and bright red, and orange hues evident throughout the collection.

Ofcourse their signature body-con dresses made a couple of appearances, but they were ultimately upstaged by fabulous wrap dresses, unstructured skirts and my personal favourites; the brightly coloured high-waisted shorts.

One look that really caught my attention was the gold pants with the knit top... totally unexpected and totally to die for!

This collection showcases a playful mix of colours and prints, combined with flirtatious cuts and simple yet bold accessories, truly makes it the perfect Spring/Summer collection.

Zimmermann SS 11/12

Unfortunately there isn't much to report on from the latest collection from Simone and Nicky Zimmermann. The Zimmermann sisters have created a Spring/Summer collection that is very reminiscent of their past collections, particularly AW 10/11 and SS 10/11.

Their signature cut out trimming from their SS 10/11 collection was again evident in yesterday's show... however this time is just accompanied different fabrics and prints.

The popular nude lace pants from AW 10/11 also appeared in white yesterday. Their collection was also well represented by Zimmermann's common use of muted colours and floral prints.

Although this collection didn't really excite us nor did it offer us anything new, it was a cohesive collection, with cuts, shapes and fabrics that followed the very on 70s trend which was prevalent in the overseas SS collections.... We just wished the Zimmermann sisters had added a surprise element to the collection - maybe a bright pop of colour or some playful cocktail dresses, just to keep us interested!

Australian Fashion Week

Monday May 2, 2011 marks the start of the Rosemount Australian Fashion Week at Sydney's Overseas Passenger Terminal in Circular Quay. This celebration of Australian fashion continues until Friday May 6.... And The Fashion Patriot will provide coverage of the shows, and reviews of each collection, so stay tuned.

We can't wait to see what the 55 shows have in store for us!

xoxo