FASHFEST ‘changing it up’ for 2018

Posted on 24 September, 2018

We have the scoop on FASHFEST’s brand new look for 2018.

Kicking off on Friday 19 October, FASHFEST will roll out the first in a series of fashion shows to be held in iconic institutions across Canberra.

The launch show will be at the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) followed by shows in December and February to be held in other venues of cultural and historic significance. The NGA fashion show will celebrate cocktail glam and elegant gowns with the same show held twice the same evening to allow more patrons to attend.

FASHFEST 2017. Credit: Martin Ollman.

CEO of FASHFEST Clint Hutchinson says FASHFEST ‘changes it up’ every few years to stay fresh.

“We started in a raw, industrial space at the Canberra Airport, then moved to a massive space at the National Convention Centre,” he explains. “This year we’re hosting specialised shows in new venues that allow us to showcase beauty of architecture as well as beauty of fashion and other creative elements. It’s taken time to plan but it’s all come together.”

So who will be on show? So far, the three labels selected for Friday 19 October are Charly Thorn Designs, Megan Cannings Designs and Maison De Challie.

Charly Thorn

Charly presented her first collection at FASHFEST 2017 when she was just 17. She returns with a spring-summer collection of cocktail glam wear created with luxurious printed silks. Charly has gone to great heights since her FASHFEST debut. Her designs were spotted on social media by other major fashion events and she has since showcased internationally.

Megan Cannings

Fashion designer Megan Cannings will present elegant gowns and formal wear collection fresh from her New York Fashion Week show. Megan’s designs from FASHFEST were also spotted on social media and she has since shown in Milan and been accepted for Fashion Aid Sydney alongside a stellar line-up of Australian designers.

Maison De Challie

The principal designer behind Maison De Challie Couture, Hajar Gala, will present exquisitely detailed bridal and evening gowns, some of which were shown at Paris Fashion Week and have never been shown in Canberra. Hajar trained formally in the French couture method at the International Fashion Academy.

Andrea Hutchinson, Managing Director and Festival Director, says FASHFEST continues to focus on independent local and regional fashion labels, and labels connected to the capital.

“We’ll always be a platform for new, emerging and more established Canberra designers and creatives across many industries,” she says.

Tickets are on sale now via the FASHFEST website.