Luxury: Braddon Tailors

It is no secret that from the first time that I heard about Braddon Tailors, I have been something of a fan.

It should be no surprise then that I jumped at a recent opportunity to visit the Braddon Tailor's studio in the heart of Canberra's CBD, to check out their new range of neckwear and accessories.

Announcement: Ink & Leathers Turns Six!

Six years ago today, I decided to start a Fashion Blog.

Six years of this on-again-off-again relationship with my Blog, of taking likely thousands of photos of myself and my clothes, of changing platforms and addresses and templates and learning how to use twitter and instagram and never quite getting the hang of html or my camera or even really how to dress myself...

It has been something of a roller coaster ride, to say the very least.

Daily Outfit: Collegiate

I’m looking very collegiate in today’s daily outfit, if I do say so myself.

One of the first things that I noticed when I got to University was that there isn’t really the same University culture here in Australia, as the one that I grew-up lusting after on American TV shows and movies. As such, I’ve found that I will jump at any opportunity to buy-in to that idyllic ‘college life’ and collegiate style ethos that I wanted to be a part of.

This University of Canberra jacket is one such example.

Fashfest 2014: Designer Review – Corr Blimey

Last but by no means least in both the Fashfest shows and my personal reviews of the menswear collections, we have Corr Blimey’s 2014 collection Berlin.

Hands down, this was my favourite collection of Fashfest 2014.

Fashfest 2014: Designer Review - SZN

I won’t lie-I had really, really high expectations for Susan Dlouhy’s collection for SZN. Being Fashfest alumni and something of a prodigy on the Canberra Fashion scene, it was hard not to build slightly unrealistic ideas in my head about what would come down the runway.

Nothing could have prepared me to have my expectations so thoroughly exceeded.

Fashfest 2014: Designer Review – Tuffys & Tuffetts

I'll be perfectly honest, I was not expecting to review Tuffys & Tuffetts at all for Fashfest 2014, because I had no idea that they did both men’s and women’s underwear. Tuffys & Tuffets were not on the list of menswear designers I received, so I just wrote them off as women’s wear I probably wouldn’t care about.

And, as it turns out, that was something of a mistake.

Fashfest 2014: Designer Review – Perpetually Five

If there is one thing Canberra has come to expect from Fashfest Allumni Mitch Thompson and his label Perpetually Five, it is a bit of spectacle, and that is certainly what was delivered for the finale of Fashfest2014 Night Two – The Scientist.

Fashfest 2014: Designer Review - Mont

Reviewing a line of Adventure Wear/Equipment, from the lens of a luxury and menswear blogger, was always going to be problematic.

To be honest, it has been really difficult for me to review the collection presented by Mont at Fashfest 2014 objectively. In fact, with all my reviews I'm really asking two questions: Is it wearable, and would I wear it? As I am not a remotely active person, and the idea of going and climbing a mountain, sleeping in a tent, and most of all having to invest in special clothes so that I wont get frostbite and loose toes or worse; well, it just doesn’t appeal to me in the slightest.

I will, however, do my best to keep the bias of my own sedentary lifestyle out of this review.

Fashfest 2014: Designer Review – Braddon Tailors

I am kicking off my in-depth reviews of the Fashfest 2014 menswear collections with Braddon Tailors, as this was the first Menswear collection shown.

The photos for this post were generously provided by the amazing Ash from Silque Photography and Design.

I really enjoyed meeting Pip and Tarun before Fashfest kicked off for the year, and learning about their business and what it offers Canberra was a highlight of the year so far for me. I was really excited to see what the boys had in store for their runway show.

Daily Outfit: Fashfest Day Five at East Hotel

I threw this daily outfit on in a matter of seconds as I was running around the house like a complete maniac trying to get my shit together and get to Kingston for Fashfest Day Five. I slept in after staying up late the night before editing photos for my re-cap (and having had several champagnes the night before), so I was a bit of a mess. 

I didn't even look at what I was wearing until I got to East Hotel.

Fashfest 2014: Day Five at East Hotel

Today I headed to East Hotel in Kingston for Day Five of Fashfest 2014.

Day five, presented by Hustle&Scout, was a unique opportunity for people to meet with the designers who showed their work at Fashfest 2014, to get up close and personal with the huge array of amazing garments, and of course to shop the runway for anything that you saw and fell in love with.

Fashfest 2014: Night Four - The Visionary

It is hard to believe that Fashfest 2014 has drawn to a close.

Tonight was Night Four - The Visionary - and I have to say I can see why every designer who appeared tonight fit under this moniker. The atmosphere was positively thrumming at 3 Molonglo Drive, Brindabella Business Park at Canberra International Airport, and it was such a pleasure to be present to see-out the final night of Canberras most dynamic and exciting fashion event.

Fashfest 2014 Daily Outfit: Eye on Canberra

The final night of Fashfest 2014 called for something flamboyant and a little over the top. Logic would dictate that I should have worn my sequined hoodie on closing night, but knowing that I had this puppy chilling in the back of my wardrobe, I decided to go this the bird for the final night.

I purchased this top back in 2010 when I attended the (then) L'Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival. I saw this jumper walk down the runway at the Alpha60 show and was instantly mesmerised, and I knew that I wouldn't be happy until I owned it.

I've worn it twice. It cost almost a quarter of what I was being paid a week back then, and I was so terrified that I would destroy it that it has sat in the back of my wardrobe, unworn. It seemed fitting to bring it out tonight.

Fashfest 2014: Night Three - The Philosopher

Night three of Fashfest 2014 - The Philosopher - was a real surprise for me. I went into the night thinking that there really wouldn't be much to interest me, and came away thoroughly surprised. Not only was there menswear that I wasn't expecting, but there was a huge diversity in the styles of the designers that made for a unique and engaging show.

Once again the Fashfest team went above and beyond, providing a world-class event that I know that they are proud of, and with good reason. Everything ran smoothly, everything looked amazing, and the atmosphere never dropped once. Thank you so much for all your amazing work.

Fashfest 2014: An open letter on Front Row Etiquette

Fashfest night three has drawn to a close, and instead of the exhilarating high and desire to relive the collections that nights one and two left me with; I find myself despondent, and frankly a little pissed.

Let me make this blatantly clear before I go on—this has nothing to do with the wonderful Fashfest team who have put their all into every night and element of the event and who have, for what it's worth, blown my mind.

No. The anger I am feeling tonight is directed firmly at my fellow audience members. Specifically, this is aimed at four men seated across the catwalk from me, who went ahead and ruined my perfect streak of meeting interesting, lovely people seated in the front row, with a catty and raucous attempt at living up to every 'bitchy-gay-fashion-guy' stereotype ever penned in the most basic of sitcoms.

Fashfest Daily Outfit: 50 Shades of Orange

Well, 5 shades of orange actually.

For the third night of Fashfest 2014, I decided to try out an all-orange outfit, just to see how it is received. I can't say that this is something that I would wear really, although recently I wore this outfit almost exactly, and received quite a bit of praise from my colleagues. I'm not convinced that this is a solid way to go for every-day wear, but it's fun to bust out on appropriate occasions. And if Fashfest isn't an appropriate occasion, then I don't know what is!

Fashfest 2014: Night Two – The Scientist

Night two of Fashfest 2014 is done and dusted, but what a fantastic night it was. The talent on display last night was mesmerizing, and the crowd could sense that they were in for a truly remarkable experience of what Canberra has to offer.

Once again the Fashfest team went above and beyond, providing a world-class event that I know that they are proud of, and with good reason. Everything ran smoothly, everything looked amazing, and the atmosphere never dropped once. Thank you so much for all your amazing work.

I was delighted to meet two local ladies, sitting beside me in the front row, who were there as a treat for themselves for the second year in a row. If you read this, thanks for your company and conversation, and it was lovely to meet you both.

Fashfest Daily Outfit: Tied up in silk

It is the second night of Fashfest 2014 tonight, and I am off to 3 Molonglo Drive, Brindabella Business Park in the Canberra International Airport precinct for another night of front-row coverage of Canberra's premier fashion event.

Fashfest 2014: Night One - The Artist

 The first night of Fashfest 2014 was a great night out, showcasing the talent that Canberra has to offer in an exciting venue, to a live music soundtrack, attended by those Canberrans with a love for fashion and design. The work on show was impressive, and the looks both on and off the catwalk were really inspiring.

The Fashfest team put on a really great evening, and I was so thrilled to attend amd see just what Canberra can do. I will admit that being a born and bred Canberra, I can be a little jaded about events that the ACT puts on. Any reservations I had about Fashfest were completely obliterated last night, and I had a fantastic time ctaching up with Bloggers, Designers and the Fashfest team.

Fashfest 2014: It's finally time

 

 

It’s finally time Canberra!

70 models

70 makeup artists, led by M:Artistry

30 hair artists from various salons, led by Form Hair

More than 40 individual designers (some participating in collaborations)

850 guests a night

More than 15 Fashfest photographers on deck for all four nights, each with their own assignments

Up to 60 media (including local bloggers: Closet Voyage, Heat Storm, Happy Schnapper, Men Style Manifest, Her Canberra and more) a night covering the event

An army of volunteers—front of house, back stage etc.

40 event partners, making this the biggest joint business venture in the Canberra fashion world

 

In case it isn’t immediadtely apparent – I am pretty excited for Fashfest!

 

I’m attending all four nights, and I’ll be blogging about them mere hours after the shows have finished.

I’ll also be posting my Fashfest outfits daily at 7:00 PM, the time that the doors open.

Finally, I’ll be doing in-depth reviews of each of the Menswear designers’ collections in the week after Fashfest.

 

A red-carpet fashion event like you’ve never experienced before, Welcome to FASHFEST 2014, promising to be the largest fashion event on the capital’s social calendar.

Hopefully I’ll see you there!