The Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival (VAMFF) has rolled into town for another year, launching magnificently last night at Government House in Melbourne’s delightful Botanical Gardens.
Federal Ministers rubbed shoulders with Australia’s most gifted fashion creatives in the grand ballroom, then spilled onto the lawn to sip champagne on a grand grassy fountain terrace as the sun set.
It was wonderful to see enfant terrible Nixi Killick chatting to venerable institutions like Linda Jackson and Jenny Kee, both of who are showing their oeuvres at the current NGV exhibition 200 Years of Australian Fashion as part of the festival program.
Witnessing this type of easy respect and resulting mentorship, it’s heartening to understand that Australian fashion’s authenticity and forward creative drive is in good hands.
I wore a dress from the estate of the late Mary Lipshut, who’s collection has recently been sold in a series of sales. I paired it with a pair of Michael Kors gold snakeskin heels from Shopbop.com, Gucci sunglasses and a Sambag clutch for a summery look that accidentally matched the decor of the ballroom. That’s a first for me!
