WA’s leading fashion design students displayed their exciting and distinct designs on a windy and rainy Sunday night. Designers displayed collections in Ready to Wear Women’s, Ready to Wear Men’s, Eco Design, Contemporary Eveningwear, Costume Design and mystifying Hi-Vis Fashion. The thrill of the runway show accompanied an impending doom over at Fashion Paramount due to tumultuous weather conditions; many of us prepared for the worst. This high energy was encapsulated by some of the most amazing designs the festival has seen so far.

A variety of quirky lines and short hems in the costume collection were a highlight in terms of their imaginative and even challenging qualities. Increasing amounts of avant-garde floor length gowns seemed to dominate the runway accompanied with motif accessories. In the Eco category, ethically made garments with natural fibres shaped into box dresses has reflected trends that have recently populated several WA stores. The Hi Vis category was by far the most perplexing for me. Dabbling deep within our core psyche as Western ‘FIFO’ Australians and sponsored by Telstra nonetheless, some of the designs themselves were quite interesting despite the sickening hues. A+ for effort, D – for aesthetics.

Having been to quite a few Telstra Perth Fashion Festival shows this season, it was refreshing to see some of the WA designer and model talent in this runway show. It is inspiring and thrilling to see such an incredible forecast (weather and otherwise) in our very own city.