Airport and Fashion - a perfect fit | HerCanberra
Source: HerCanberra
It may seem odd that an airport space and a fashion event would form a perfect and very stylish fit.
But when we’re talking about FASHFEST and a brand new, architecturally stunning space at Canberra Airport, things fly high.
The much-anticipated announcement of FASHFEST’slocation was made today by Canberra Airport Managing Director Stephen Byron. ‘After 100 years, we believe it is time for Canberra to step up and take its place on the global stage as a national capital of which Australians can be justifiably proud,’ Byron said. ‘Having a world-class airport and a world-class fashion show demonstrate how far this city has come and how much it has to offer.’
So where is the space? No. 3 Molonglo Drive, Brindabella Business Park, just 500 metres from the main entrance of the airport. It features a massive atrium in a modern industrial setting, in its raw form. ‘It will be a magnificent backdrop to showcase Canberra’s fashion talent in this inaugural event,’ said Byron.
FASHFEST will be the first event to be held at No 3. Molonglo Drive. After the four-day fashion spectacular, 1 to 4 May, the space will revert to its intended five-start office accommodation.
‘Canberra Airport has been an amazing event partner,’ said co-founder Clint Hutchinson. ‘It has supportedFASHFEST’s vision of taking people to places they could not ordinarily go, to see what they could not ordinarily see and to experience what they could not ordinarily experience.’
FASHFEST is first and foremost about Canberra’s design talent. Young designer Suzan Dlouhy, who creates garments under her emerging label SZN, spoke about the importance of having a platform for her work through such a major fashion event of the calibre of FASHFEST.
Suzan’s collections are created using remnants and scraps of fabric from other designers. She takes their ‘off cuts’ and magically transforms them into clothing destined to attract attention. Suzan, who recently graduated from the Canberra Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Design in Fashion, says her focus is on sustainability.
‘When designers give or sell their scraps to me they are being sustainable in their own way,’ says Suzan. ‘It becomes an industry-wide effort.’
The importance of FASHFEST to local designers is all important. ‘Fashion, like any design, requires interaction. Seeing is believing,’ says Suzan ‘The calibre of fashion coming out of Canberra is world class.’
The FASHFEST – Canberra Airport partnership is not just a one-off. FASHFEST will be at the airport again in 2014. Where? Wait and see …
FASHFEST tickets are on sale through www.fashfest.com.au It’s less than a month to go before Canberra truly is on show.
At yesterday’s launch, FASHFEST put on a pop-up fashion show – keep your eye out tomorrow for a story on the show and the designers, models and others involved.