Behind the runway of Brisbane Fashion Festival

behind the RUNWAY

KIMBERLY GARDNER, LINDSAY BENNETT, BERNIE BAGLEY

Get your behind the scenes look at Brisbane Fashion Festival from the talented trio who bring it to life.

Festival Director Lindsay Bennett likens the running of Brisbane Fashion Festival’s premiere to a military operation. Timing, planning, and dedication (not to mention a dash of creative flair) bring this celebration of Australian fashion to life every year for Brisbanites to revel in. With his two talented generals at his side, Production Manager and Choreographer, Bernie Bagley, and Styling Director Kimberly Gardner, we discover what it’s like to be on the front lines of Brisbane Fashion Festival from the creators behind it.

ONE YEAR OUT

LB: Planning for the Festival is lengthy. Not long after we complete the reports and analytics of the previous festival, planning begins on how we build the event for the next year. COVID-19 has shown that the business model for everything needs a radical rethink. It’s a matter of quality. It must be meaningful for the industry and the public alike. This year it was about confirming the best CBD location for staging the event; about ensuring the program was exciting in terms of shows and expectations. And importantly, securing partners that shared our commitment for staging the best possible Fashion Festival for Brisbane.

BB: In my role as the Production Manager and Choreographer, it’s like being the conductor of an orchestra. This is the time when I start to shortlist music. It’s about sourcing a variety of music across different genres so that we have a library of tracks to work from. As anyone who’s attended a runway show will know, it’s so inspiring and immersive to watch a model strutting it out to an amazing beat.

KG: This is when we approach designers, both local and national, and invite them to take part. Communication during this time is critical and allows us to share our vision for the upcoming Festival with the industry.

ONE MONTH OUT

LB: Tickets went on sale and within hours there was an unprecedented demand. It’s now about focusing on the production elements that require real attention. Finalising set design, production schedules, run sheets, seating configurations, and pulling together all the associated elements are critical at this time.

BB: Now the real work begins for me. Alongside Lindsay and Kimberly, we hold a model casting for the festival. It’s about finding the right models that best suit the vibe of the shows. Finding the right mix of talent and embracing inclusivity is so important. This is also when we start to finalise the music with all the designers and to make sure that the entire show flows. If they all had the same beat or style of music, then the show would feel flat. It’s about taking the audience on a journey.

KG: Generally during this period, you start to feel the pressure just a little. We will have just completed our campaign shoot that will be carried across key collateral. We will have spent time determining the overall direction for hair and makeup for each show and workshopping this with Issada Cosmetics and Schwarzkopf Professional. Determining model orders for each show and making sure each model has as much time as possible to change for each look is crucial. Our models each year are wonderful and are key to helping the show run seamlessly and inspiring the audience to appreciate and love the outfits on the runway.

ONE WEEK OUT

LB: This is where you hope that all the planning, meetings, staging, and custom builds come together. It is now about making sure the attention to detail is carried across everything and that all partner deliverables are met. While the designers are putting the finishing touches to their pieces, we are finalising music selection, show orders, and dealing with the many calls from people looking for last-minute tickets, through to organising and scheduling the hundred or so volunteers all keen to experience what the Fashion Festival is about. It’s essentially a military operation across all areas. Nothing is left to chance.

BB: With models selected, music largely confirmed, and run sheets at the ready, it’s now all getting real and exciting. This is when you start to see everything come together. Model fittings are underway. The stage and set are being constructed and a real commitment to making this work kicks in.

KG: Just a few days before the first outfit appears on the runway, we will have conducted fittings with models for each look – which this year will be more than 500 across the three group shows.

Making sure the fit is just right and making subtle tweaks to how the outfit is to be worn is so important in making the look runway ready. With my core team of just three, managing some 30 models, 30 volunteer dressers and upwards of 12 designers backstage keeps the team on their toes. This is where the real action takes place and where we have been able to create a wellthought-out and planned approach.

Net-A-Porter Oscar De La Renta Crystal Clip Earring $581.32

Moda Operandi Christopher Esber Sculptured Pleated Rib Dress $1,075

Moda Operandi Aliétte Feather Trimmed Off-The-Shoulder Gown $4,595

Matches Fashion Aurélie Biderman Miki Tasselled Braided Mesh Necklace $840

BACK toblack

Harrolds Amina Muaddi PVC Slingback Heel $1,650 Dorsey Lee Pearl Drop Earring $200

Net-A-Porter Taller Marmo One Shoulder Feather Trimmed Dress $2,973.91

Giarité Brilly Bag $333

RACHEL GILBERT

It’s the official return of black-tie season where luxurious gowns in opulent fabrics float along the floor, presenting the opportunity to indulge your most extravagant fashion fantasies. Now is not the time to rest on your laurels – go big, or go home.

Spring is in the air, the sun is shining, and it’s officially time to break out those shopping shoes because the season of new beginnings is upon us – making for the perfect time to rediscover retail galore on your next trip to the coast.

Gone are the days of dull malls, instead opt for a day at Sunshine Plaza, where you can choose the way you shop. Simply press pause, wine and dine your heart out, and rest easy knowing the kids have plenty of room for play.

Perched in the hustle and bustle of Maroochydore sits this not-so-humble centre, with over 320 stores and services to make you feel on top of the world. Start your shopping spree with a cup of espresso, a stroll across the riverwalk, followed by an irresistible new outfit (or two).

The centre is home to an array of stores gathering up all the spring fashion trends that are making us swoon. After all, there’s no need to be a fashion casualty when you can be a trendsetter – think bright bold colours and pops of floral. These trends will make you go from zero to hero in minutes.

Discover a fresh new crop of high-end spring garments at many of the stores throughout the centre – David Jones, Myer, Polo Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Gorman, Mimco, Country Road, Dissh, Seed, and Nude Lucy – to name a few.

Next stop, beauty shop – Mecca and Sephora will have you feeling like a kid in a candy store. You’ll be shocked at the vast variety of boutiques found under the roof of Sunshine Plaza.

Once you’re all shopped out, why not take a break, and let the good times roll at one of the eateries. Alternatively, enjoy a movie at the cinemas or perhaps get your watercraft on at the Plaza Pontoon. There’s something for everyone!

Time to channel your inner shopaholic with a side of sunshine, fresh air, and good vibes at Sunshine Plaza.

EASY, BREEZY SHOPPING

Let the sunshine in at the best retail destination on the coast.

SUNSHINE PLAZA 154-164 HORTON PARADE, MAROOCHYDORE P 5443 4133 SUNSHINEPLAZA.COM

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Conformity is out and togetherness is in as street wear turns even more androgynous.

By BETHAN WARRIOR

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1. Double Rainbouu Lava Logo Crew Knit $220 2. Montblanc 1858 Iced Sea Automatic Date Watch $4,800 3. The Attico Dark Grey Pant POA 4. Offcut Twin Verdi Candleholder $120 5. PFEIFFER Enzo Jersey Dress $340 6. Poppy Lissiman Ren Sunglasses $145 7. SSAINT Smokeshow Perfume $109 8. Double Double Converse Comme Des Garçons 1970 High Sneaker $240 9. Matches Fashion Bottega Veneta Two-Tone Curb-Chain Bracelet $750 10. FAZEEK Two Wave Flute Set $119 11. Camargue GANNI Basic Jersey Hotel T-Shirt $145 12. Mytheresa Frankie Shop Val Down Puffer Jacket $435 1.

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