Will the Melbourne fashion scene, as fragile and disconnected as it is, survive without brick-and-mortar stores and the inability to throw events? The answer from many will be ‘Of course, it’s the way of the future!’ The chorus is almost deafening when one doubts the appeal of this brave new world. With lockdowns a perpetual monster over the horizon and once bustling retail districts now a patchwork of ‘For Lease’ signs, Melbourne made brands must brace for impact. To be clear, I am coming at this from the perspective of a small brand owner and designer who produces clothes as an avenue of self-expression, exploration and catharsis. To produce and sell clothes in Melbourne is very much an uphill battle...
With Victorian lockdown and travel restrictions finally receding last week the state took a collective sigh of relief. 10 months of isolation and prioritising only the most essential elements of life left little room for cultural expression and celebration, a void was developing. The ever-present challenges of the Melbourne fashion industry have been amplified with many stalwarts forced to re-evaluate their direction and indeed commitment to this passion that so grips us. But as the cold rains of a Melbourne night are forgotten with the sun of a Spring morning so has the recent Lastly Showcase dampened my fears of what is to come. Lastly is an online dealer of highly curated artisan darkwear mostly sourced from Japan, the...
A disastrous tightrope to walk no doubt but does a big name lend legitimacy to a creation? The dispersion of art for hype? If so then does the creation of art take a backseat to simply establishing a name? I’d say art has not taken a back seat, its bound and gagged in the boot.
Street culture is an alternative to the norm and re-invents itself almost by definition. What was once edgy becomes diluted and people with the individualist desire to self express look for alternatives and that's where I think the purist innovations are made especially in fashion. The best aspect of street culture is the freedom it allows.
