Milk Bar’s Picks for L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival

Here is what we think is worth checking out at this year’s L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival. Of course there are the runway shows, but there’s plenty of other fashion related things to see and do.

L’OREAL PARIS RUNWAYS
Providing the main attraction during the weeklong festival are seven Paris runway shows. With each show including at least seven designers it’s hard picking which one to attend, although if we had to choose one we’d go to Runway Four, which includes work from Josh Goot, Dion Lee and exciting new designer Magdalena Velevska. This show is where Australian fashion is currently at.
WHERE: Peninsula, Central Pier, Docklands
WHEN: Shows take place from March 9-14
WEB: www.lmff.com.au/2010/index.php?nodeId=705

PENTHOUSE MOUSE
Penthouse Mouse is a unique retail space where Autumn/Winter collections from emerging local designers will be available for sale. On the space’s final night, March 9, there will be two Midmouse runway shows: show one will include Upper Left Arm and designs from fashion retailers Kings of Carnaby and Leonard Street, while show two will feature designers such as Di$count, Trimapee and Raggatt. Local synth duo Forces will be be playing too.
WHERE: 221 Kerr Street, Fitzroy
WHEN:Retail space is open from March 3-8 from 12-4pm. Midmouse runway show is on March 9 from 6pm
WEB: www.penthousemouse.com

THREAD DEN SEWING CLASSES
Thread Den is a sewing lounge and retail store in North Melbourne. The venue offers sewing classes for all skill levels with classes covering everything from the basics to more advanced stuff like patch working or even sewing your own dress!
WHERE: Thread Den, 422 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
WEB:www.threadden.com/_pages/sewing_classes.html

LMFF INDEPENDENT RUNWAY
For those who like their fashion slightly left-of-centre then the Independent Runway is the place to be. The show will see designs from Something Else, Ksubi and Lui Hon among others.
WHERE: Peninsula, Central Pier, Docklands
WHEN: March 11 @ 9pm
WEB: lmff.com.au/events/lmff-independant-runway

THESUPERCOOL
Described as a ‘mobile emporium’, TheSuperCool is full of everyday trinkets that have been carefully handpicked from around the world. Those behind the concept for the space, Noonie and Kate, drew inspiration from Vintage Peddlers to come up with the idea for this unique retail space where buying objects is made both fun and affordable. Judging from the name of this space, any bets that everything in here is super cool but you’ll just have to go and see for yourself.
WHERE: St. Ali Next Door, 12-18 Yarra Place, South Melbourne
WHEN: March 9 – 11, 9.30am to 5pm
WEB: lmff.com.au/events/2012-cultural-program?eventId=138

CRAFT HATCH
If you like to be the first to know about things then why not pay Craft Hatch a visit? It is an incubator market presented by Craft Victoria where the work of students and emerging local designers is showcased and made available for purchase. Expect to find clothing, jewellery, home wares and lots more.
WHERE: 1000 £ Bend, 361 Little Lonsdale Street. Melbourne
WHEN: March 17, 11am-4pm
WEB: lmff.com.au/events/2012-cultural-program?eventId=121

LMFF runs from March 8 – 15. For full event listings visit lmff.com.au.