LMFF: The Bloggers Verdict of L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival 2012

It is fair to say that these days a fashion show isn’t quite the same without bloggers. Or maybe it’s the gauntlet outside of a fashion show. You can’t seem to take more than a few steps at a fashion week these days without running into the style bloggers showing off their carefully planned outfits to the writers that write the prose that accompany beautiful runway photography.

For us L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival was a week of catching up with old fashion and blogging friends as well as making new ones as we enjoyed not jostling to try and take a decent photograph from the seats (thanks to our photographer for the week, Andrew, who dutifully scrambled for a spot in the media riser at most of the shows). It was fascinating to watch the scramble for street style shots before and after every show and then there was the people watching once the “VIPs” were seated. But what were the highlights?

We thought we’d ask some of our new and old fashion blogging friends what they’re thoughts on the week down at Melbourne’s Docklands was like. Here’s what they had to say:

Jess from What Would Karl Do What was your favourite show at LMFF? Fav show was the Mimco runway. For an accessories label they really made their collection shine on the runway with fabulous styling, models and a dramatic production. I loved the jewellery layering- it inspired me as a stylist. What is your favourite new trend for Autumn/Winter? Sheer! It’s all about showing your undies x The street style star at LMFF was? I loved Tash from Breakfast with Audrey, her elegant and fresh style x Your favourite accessory of the week? The blogger kit- camera, iPhone, bushiness cards and YSL Arty ring Who ‘made’ your week and why?  Hands down meeting the Sydney bloggers. In Melbourne we al know each other and catch up regularly but I always tweet my Sydney favs and I got to meet them all!	Sarah from Style Melbourne What was your favourite show at LMFF? The Dita Von Teese ‘Von Follies’ lingerie show as the crowd was enthusiastic to see women of all different shapes, sizes, colours as well as the star of the show. The hair, make up and accessorising was also immaculate (Louboutins and Dita lent her own vintage pieces). What is your favourite new trend for Autumn/Winter? Daytime sequins, particularly black ones. They were spotted everywhere and I’m partial to a bit of sparkle, though have a feeling I may tire of this one pretty fast. The street style star at LMFF was? Any non-industry, non-modelesque lady or gent who doesn’t have access to borrowed pieces/a stylist friend/daddy’s wallet and has to use their own wardrobe to create a unique look, and uses LMFF as an excuse to show off their true colours. Your favourite accessory of the week? I’m a bit mad for a good cape at the moment (and mineral water, as it helps with keeping deadlines far more than champagne!) Who ‘made’ your week and why? The security guard who let me onto the M.V. Mandalay (otherwise known as the L’Oreal VIP boat docked harbourside) for much-needed sustenance and to rest my tortured feet each night.
Tash from Breakfast With Audrey What was your favourite show at LMFF? I know lots of people will say it, but the National Grad Showcase Sponsored by Sportsgirl was definitely the highlight for me. One of my favourite designers Natalie Grybowski brought us some incredible pieces and I am very excited to see what she brings us next. What is your favourite new trend for Autumn/Winter? For me, I love that we have both androgyny and femininity to play with when it comes to dressing ourselves. For A/W I love the ladylike pieces- think midi length skirts, lace, peplum and sheer fabrics, which you can toughen up with ankle boots or a chic leather jacket. The street style star at LMFF was? Hands down Micah Gianeli of Rawwblog. I love her creative spirit that shines through with everything she does, from how she dresses to the work she produces. It’s definitely a girl crush! Your favourite accessory of the week? I don’t go anywhere without my iPad. Who ‘made’ your week and why? Aimee Mullins (if you dont know her, read up on her now). She was born without fibulae and as a result had her legs below the knees amputated. She has spoken at TED, is a L’Oreal ambassador, olympian, former government operative and has walked the runway for McQueen…need I say more?	Jamie from OhJamie What was your favourite show at LMFF? Thursdays Toni Maticevski show hands down. Show opened with a Lykke Li track and the clothing was beyond beautiful. Couldn’t ask for much more. What is your favourite new trend for Autumn/Winter? Not sure about trend but that part leather part wool coat – I think it was the 3rd or 4th piece that walked out for Toni Maticevski – I need it! The street style star at LMFF was? I don’t know who this was but she was definitely my LMFF highlight for street style. Your favourite accessory of the week?  My Sarah Frances Kuhn camera chain. Nothing worse than a Canon or Nikon branded camera chain to spoil an outfit. Who ‘made’ your week and why?  Everyone from Melbourne and beyond who I hung out with before and after the shows drinking cider.
Sam Sidney from Style Paws What was your favourite show at LMFF? The National Graduate Showcase presented by Sportsgirl – always the highlight for me, it’s filled with creativity, innovation, experimentation and passion. It’s the one runway where everything is NEW and FRESH. I love it! What is your favourite new trend for Autumn/Winter? Not a “new” trend but I loved seeing all the beautiful and moody florals and all the gorgeous feminine tailoring, especially in tonal palettes. The street style star at LMFF was? I couldn’t possibly pick one person, there was just too much good people-watching to be done! Your favourite accessory of the week? My new Lumia 800 mobile phone, courtesy of Nokia Australia. Who ‘made’ your week and why?  The amazing bloggers, many who I have only “spoken to” online before. Was so exciting to be able to finally hang out and spend some quality time together, bonding over fashion of course!	Pip Dalton from Breakfast With Audrey What was your favourite show at LMFF? National Graduate showcase presented by Sportsgirl was a highlight for me. It was great to see the natural talent of emerging Australian fashion students really showing off their incredible design skills on the runway. Where creative flare lacked in other shows this one really made up for that and made me excited and proud that Australia is producing such amazing talent. I’ll be keeping a close eye on many of the designers from the show. What is your favourite new trend for Autumn/Winter? On and off the runway I was seeing a lot of bold printed pants in all forms from printed jeans to tailored trousers, to palazzo pants. It’s a real printed pants part this season and I’m loving it. The street style star at LMFF was? Cheri from Ms Critique – she always looked so effortlessly glam. Your favourite accessory of the week? My camera became another part of my body for the week. Oh and still loving my vintage gold bar necklace I picked up from Shag. Who ‘made’ your week and why? There wasn’t a particular person but I loved finally meeting all the Melbourne bloggers at the LMFF Blogger Brunch. All of them were an absolute pleasure to meet and LMFF with for the week.
Connie from K is for Kani What was your favourite show at LMFF? sports girl grad showcase as I love how all the grads went all out with their creativity What is your favourite new trend for Autumn/Winter? Prints from Gary Bigeni’s collection The street style star at LMFF was? Maddy from The Iconic Your favourite accessory of the week? My mobile phone, i love tweeting during the shows and just being in touch with what’s going on online. Who ‘made’ your week and why? All the bloggers both local and interstate were a pleasure to meet! It was so exciting to finally meet and chat with them beyond the screen.	Lauren Kruger, contributing writer at SASSYBELLA.com What was your favourite show at LMFF? The Runway 7 show, as it included some of my favourite designers. I always love seeing what Collette Dinnigan has created, and she didn’t disappoint this year. I’m a big fan of girly motifs such as lace and embellishments, so it was no surprise that I fell in love with every look she sent down the runway. Rachel Gilbert was another designer who fed my appetite for girly, fun designs. What is your favourite new trend for Autumn/Winter? I’m loving the fact that mulberry looks like it’s going to be huge this winter- it’s such a nice change from the usual blacks and greys and is fun to play around with a bit. Scanlan and Theodore in particular showed the hue, and it was great to see. The street style star at LMFF was? I was a big fan of Paula Joye’s looks throughout the week- she had a very ‘Melbourne’ take on the latest trends. Your favourite accessory of the week? My Romance Was Born tote- it’s the perfect size for a laptop or iPad, as well as my phone and million other things I was carting around. Who ‘made’ your week and why? I met the lovely Sally Wood, the Cosmo U Ambassador, before the Sportsgirl National Graduate Showcase and had fun chatting to her about the festival and guessing what sort of creations the Graduates were about to show us.

And finally a note from the editor…

I have to say a huge thank you to my own ‘team’ who helped me juggle blogging and other commitments during the week. Lauren Kruger, you have been a blessing to know and have contribute, and Andrew Kaineder who not only put up with looking at models every night but also my 7am alarms going off.

A shout out also goes out to Nokia for their Lumia at LMFF opportunity which had me using their new Lumia 800 phone during the week and saw me attending the opening show in style in a corporate booth. The flights down to Melbourne were handy too!