Unless you’ve been living under a rock you’ll know that the past twelve months have been difficult for this event (perhaps not as difficult as for the small-medium businesses delayed payment last year). With significantly less funding and under new management I was intrigued to see what the PFF 2.0 would offer.
Located at Yagan Square the Fashion Paramount venue was less grand than last year at Optus Stadium, however on the plus side this meant a lot less walking. Last year the VIP drinks area was situated miles away from the room where the parades took place. Consequently many a young starlet was conflicted about whether the commit fashion suicide and remove their six inch stilettos. Most chose to numb the pain with bubbles instead. This time drinks were a mere sashay, twirl and pout away at Yagan Square.
The central location also helped raise the profile of the event. Many members of the general public stopped to ask what was going on, as they made their way home from work.
With the doors about to open, a small team of t-shirt clad workers scurried by with black cases and last minute adjustments. It is a credit to these folk that the first night event started without any hitches, at least not any that the guests could see. But lets get onto the more important subject the fashion.
The fashion show started on the tarmac-like area outside the Fashion Central marque, as the guests arrived. While most of the crowd donned the ubiquitous fashion black, there were a few stand outs and the odd brave soul wanting to be seen and raise their own profile no doubt.
Inside the marque the staging and music was reminiscent of years gone by, particularly the successful Perth Concert Hall incarnation.
See next post for the International Runway.
As I watched the crowd arrive I pondered :
- The move to a more central city location was a good one;
- The ability to show images on the big screen in Yagan Square was an added bonus. More could be made of this;
- Perhaps more signage on the marque would help the public know what was happening. This would also help raise the profile, particularly to international tourists;
- While lacking some of the grandeur of the previous years, let’s face it once inside the marque and the parades start, you could be anywhere;
- Congratulations and many thanks to all involved in keeping the Festival going this year. It is critical that local designers and artists have a means of showcasing their work.
For more information go to Perth Fashion Festival. Stay tuned for the next post from inside Fashion Central.
