Grey days have inspired bright colours in Sydney at this year's Australian fashion week. Homemade and vintage garments are popular with some in the crowd, who say they want to feel 'powerful', 'whimsical' or 'like a princess'.
Street Style Highlights
Tara Chandra, 28, a content creator, said she wanted to feel 'whimsical' and was 'playing into the fun kind of Alice in Wonderland mushroom vibes'. She wore a cardigan and shoes from Lazy Oaf, a skirt by Nicola Louise, and a bag by an Indonesian designer.
Natasha Rose, 22, a musician, wore vintage pieces and a friend's wardrobe items. Her favourite part was her headphones, allowing her to listen to music when nothing exciting happens. She wanted to feel colourful and bright to counter overcast days.
Emmeline Morris, 26, an artist and ceramicist, wore pants from Nicola Louise, an op-shop shirt, a self-made ceramic bra, a friend's hat from SweetDreamsBitterReality, and Balenciaga sunglasses. She wanted to feel like a diva for her first runway show and to support her friends.
Phoebe Mason, 22, an ex-fashion student, wore a self-made dress from upcycled mohair with upcycled jeans and boots. She wanted to feel organic, fun, and free, while still comfortable.
Bernad Ngendakumana, 25, a model and content creator, wore a custom hat by Bam Bam Hats, a Salt Murphy coat, a full thrifted suit, Margiela shoes, and a Calvin Klein bag. He aimed for confidence and power, evident in the shoulders.
Soh Katoh, 42, and Ross Colebatch, 42, an executive producer, both wore Jordan Gogos. Soh added Rick Owens shoes, while Ross wore a collaboration with Akira and Darren Bischoff. Both wanted to feel fabulous.
Josh Obliga, 24, a fashion marketing and content creator, wore his mother's jacket, thrifted lace, jewellery from Vietnam and Swarovski, and a Louis Vuitton bag bought with his first wage. He wanted to feel tailored, structured, and effortless.
Morgan Waterhouse, 32, a content creator and model, wore an oversized vintage blazer with a striped shirt and tie, baggy women's jeans, Hunter gumboots, and a Yankees hat. She prioritized comfort with oversized baggy clothes.
Arnold Pomida, a fashion designer and drag artist, wore a thrifted Zara puff jacket, a Walter Van Beirendonck-like sling bag, Uniqlo shirt, Zara pants, Xheyday shoes, and a Dollskill necklace. He dressed for himself, adding whimsy and fun.
Gracie Evans, 23, a fashion stylist and model, wore a thrifted set from a friend's op shop. She wanted to feel cute, fun, and colourful.
Rosina (Rosie) Baumann, 25, a model and program producer, wore Iordanes Spyridon Gogos from the 2024 collection. She wanted to feel powerful and proud, with 'big auntie energy'.
Caroline (Ralph) Ralphsmith, 60, outgoing chief executive of Melbourne fashion festival, wore an AZ Factory outfit from Alber Elbaz. She wanted to feel wonderful, as clothes change her mood and attitude. She felt great in colour.
Nadine Kisimba, 27, a runway producer, wore Kis Simba Collection designs by her Congolese mother. She wanted to feel exceptional, like African royalty, and chose to wear her afro.
Thanks Hamisi, 23, a fashion designer, wore his own custom design using African print from Kenya. He wanted to feel bold and powerful.
Francine Dayrit, 25, an arts educator, wore a self-made suit set from her grandmother's dress, a beret from Frances Island, and a bag for trinkets. She wanted to feel like herself, not pretending to be an industry person.
Tom Gay, an actor, model, and business owner, wore a Rugrats jacket from Nickelodeon, a 10-year-old wardrobe find, and custom shoes made from flip-flops giving 12 inches of platform height. He wanted to feel vibrant and colourful to counter gloomy weather.
Helen Wong (60s), Margot Wong (18 months), and Zara Wong (30s), a fashion editor, wore family pieces: Zara in her mother's 80s Armani coat, Christopher Esber pants, Yaneth camisole, Liffner bag, and Essen shoes; Margot in a Burberry cape, Korean hat, and Kmart basics. Zara needed a quick outfit due to children.
Liana Rossi, 36, a creative consultant, wore an Alix Higgins dress (digitally printed fur on velvet), Stine Goya coat, Cowboys of Habit belt, Poppy Lissiman sunglasses, and Maison Margiela shoes. She opted for colour after wearing black all week, choosing the quickest, easiest outfit.
Dirk Fourie, 37, an online content creator and marketer of 1940s men's style, wore an American vintage grey three-piece pinstripe suit from the late 1940s. Visiting from Melbourne, he wanted to feel more businesslike in Sydney, the business capital.
Edwina Keelan, 50, an artist, writer, traveller, and activist, repurposed a friend's old dress by adding straps, wore Kmart jeans, a vintage Gucci bag, pink Crocs, and a Polynesian head piece from Rarotonga. She wanted to feel like a Polynesian princess.
Linda Connells, 71, a vintage clothing retailer, wore vintage 1960s early 70s Australian label Snazzy. She always dresses in vintage, feeling great and receiving compliments.
Tara Chandra, 28, a content creator, reiterated her whimsical desire, styling a borrowed skirt with Lazy Oaf cardigan and shoes, and an Indonesian bag, evoking Alice in Wonderland mushroom vibes.
