AAFW 22 TREND REPORT: WITH OUR FOUNDER, EMMA PETTERWOOD AND CELEBRITY STYLIST, CLARE ANSTEY
With the Afterpay Australian Fashion Week wrapping up for 2022, it was certainly a visual escapade of sexy-dressing, low-rise and cut outs dominating the runways for the upcoming Resort ‘23 collections, with a very strong 90’s aesthetic theme.
Emma and Clare teamed up for the week to share their experience and insights from the runways.
_____
Exquisite embellishments are having a major moment. In a move that will appeal to any Y2K sympathsier, metallic tones and elevated embellishments were featured heavily across the Afterpay Australian Fashion Week ‘22 runways.
The low-rise waist is having a moment and is not going anywhere; the trend is staying strong for these upcoming seasons. But not to fear, instead of the tight-fitting low-rise jeans in Y2K, we're seeing styles with wider, slouchier silhouettes like cargo pants and tailored trousers.
The Oceanic-inspired Auteur show featured pearlescent and lustre tones with a heavy emphasis on sequined and expertly crafted embroidery.
Michael Lo Sordo expanded his signature diamante-adorned designs by presenting a diamanté g-string and bralettes – a style that we think can style well over shirts or under boxy blazers… if you are feeling brave.
For Wynn Hamlyn’s first ever Australian show, there was a distinct vibe – before a single step was taken on the runway. The show was held in a tunnel deep beneath the city’s rail network – a raw, industrial underground setting laid the tone for the collection. We saw neon brights, beaded macramé, low rise pants, puffer jackets and sexy dresses.
And then there was tailoring - reimagined with asymmetrical elements, lots of layering - skirts and dresses over pants to reinvent the suiting trend. Between Aaizél’s mid-2000s approach to workwear dressing, and ESSE’s exploration of sustainable staples, we’ve never been more excited to return to work.
The highlight of the program was the Beare Park show (coming to After Eight this A/W) – a harmonious creation of 31 looks floating down the runway, crafted from indulgent fabrics and presented in luminescent colour palette, resort 23 was an astute nod to the long forgotten midnight hour. A return to celebration and euphoria met with a sense of relief – the feeling of star lit walks home from time spent with friends.
As for colour, well it was a sea of primary colours and their bright variations that reigned supreme across the runways and street style set. We are here for the dopamine dressing and can’t wait to bring it to After Eight later this year.
