Meet

above

109 Victoria St, Fitzroy
above-label.com.au
12-3pm

Go behind the seams and see where the magic happens and creativity takes flight in the studio of above.

Alexi Freeman

66B Johnston Street, Collingwood

10am - 5pm

Alexi Freeman opens the door to his design studio for a behind the scenes look at where he designs his seasonal collections. This is an oppertunity to view current and previous collections, try things on, and speak to the designer about his work.

Image Credit: spring/summer 09/10 Photograph: Nicole Reed

 BLACKLISTED  presents FASHIONING THE MAGIC

The Fashion Workroom

22- 24 Easey St

Collingwood

11am - 3pm
Running until March 21

One of Melbourne's unique fashion designers Debra Mar has collaborate with Archibald Portrait finalist Anna Minardo to fuse art and fashion in a dramatic display of ‘art in motion'.

An art installation will be created by Anna Minardo where people will be invited to assist or even participate in this magic moment of colliding colours of paint on garments designed under the blacklisted fashion label or you can bring your own garment. These creations can be taken home as an original and unique blend of art and fashion.

Join us together with TOTTIE GOLDSMITH at 12 noon on 21 March who will also participate in fusing art and fashion on a blacklisted garment. This garment will be auctioned on the day to raise funds for the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre Appeal.

Cailin Alainn

Shop 7, The Hardwick Building, 459 Sydney Rd, Brunswick

10am - 5pm

Step behind the scenes into a milliner's madness. Tucked away in the heritage listed Hardwick Building discover the treasures, feathers and myriad of pleasures to be found in the studio of Leanne Bonello, the designer behind the bespoke label Cailin Alainn. Step into the studio to view the latest in innovative bridal, event and carnival headwear and accessories.

Each piece is a sculptural work of art, using an array of unusual materials and never seen before unique designs straight from the atelier to showroom. Open the pages to the designer's folio where you will see her inspirations, concepts, sketches and impeccable eye for detail. 

Image Credit: Image Courtesy of Cailin Alainn. Photograph: Michael Green

CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY present THE SWAN SONG

2 Somerset Place, Melbourne

The phrase ‘swan song’ is a reference to an ancient belief that the swan is completely mute during its lifetime until the moment just before it dies, when it sings one beautiful song. The magic of fashion has many parallels, the craft and inspiration behind it is often mute and the beauty of the finished work is a prelude to its own demise. The Swan Song exhibition will be an exploration into the fashion of mourning.

One March 21 join Captains of Industry in their cafe to meet the makers and have a coffee. 

Image Credit: Image courtesy of Captains of Industry.

 GRAHAM GREEN

8/61 Darling Street (in the iconic Beverly Hills building), South Yarra

2pm - 7pm.

Graham Green invites the public to immerse themselves in the inspiring space that is both his salon and home. Set within the iconic Beverly Hills building designed by Howard Lawson, the afternoon will offer a pre-launch glimpse of the first menswear collection through the various stages of the sartorial life-cycle.

Graham Green, the collection, is a manifestation of Graham's visions as an artist, being influenced by early pioneers such as Jacques Fath and Pierre Balmain. The collection draws heavily on the classical technique of French couturiers. The pursuit of quality being a central tenet of the collection, design varies from avant-guarde to classic with a twist.

The Graham Green man is a gentleman, firstly. He is also a maverick. An informed traditionalist, and yet resolutely an innovator. His wardrobe is built on the values of tradition, function, elegance and artifice.

KUWAII

Leiela

126 Union Road

Ascot Vale
Leiela.com.au
(03) 9326 1285

As part of the open studios Leiela will conduct tours of the studio and describe ‘a day in the life of Leiela’ from designing, fabric sourcing, cutting and creating, plus anything in between. The tour will start from the shop front showcase, to the main studio where the majority of the Leiela business and production will be discussed, with potentially a demonstration involved sketching or sewing, culminating upstairs featuring the final finished gowns. At the same time, Leiela will be holding a sample sale for visitors with up to %75 off retail for gowns.

MATERIALbyPRODUCT

337 Gore Street, Fitzroy

Step inside one of Melbourne's cutting edge working showrooms. Nestled in a little house MATERIALbyPRODUCT welcomes you into their small 'fashion house' to experience garments being handmade. Every garment produce by MATERIALbyPRODUCT is produced inhouse so this is your chance to see the magic happen.

Mopoke

Studio 10, Level 1, 95 Victoria St, Fitzroy
Mopoke.net.au
10am-6pm

MOPOKE will open her otherwise private studio space for visitor to see where the garments are created! Suspended mannequins and customized timber fittings lined with MOPOKE garments will be on display and sale. Light tunes and tea will be on offer, as well as some desert inspired wearable arts.

Nevada Duffy

Shop 165 Gore St, Fitzroy
Nevanaduffy.com
10am-6pm

Nevada Duffy shop/studio will be stocked with the new Autumn/Winter 2010 collection. Calico toiles from the current collection along with new work in progress will be displayed on mannequins and racks in the studio where visitors will be encouraged to view, try on and ask questions.

There will be sketches, fabric swatches, research materials and mood boards on display which will give visitors a look into the creative process and manufacturing of a small, locally produced fashion label. During the day Nevada will be in the studio making patterns, sewing, cutting and being available to discuss the creative process from initial concept to finished garments.

Preston Zly

Rear 219 Smith Street, Fitzroy

prestonzlydesign.com

On Sunday March 21st enter the studio of Preston Zly to see where the magic happens!

Shirt and Skirt Market

Abbotsford Convent, 1 St. Heliers Street, Abbotsford
Shirtandskirtmarkets.com.au
10am-4pm

The home of Melbourne’s emerging designer community will conduct an open studio within their market stalls on Sunday March 21. Visitors are welcome to browse through the sixty plus designer stalls and ask each designer how they make their range of products. The designers can give you advice on styling, fit, colour and fabric choice to suit your individual look.

The Social Studio

128 Smith St, Collingwood
thesocialstudio.org
11am-3pm, 2pm Floor Talk

The Social Studio is a dynamic space where young designers from the refugee community create original clothing. It is a non-profit social enterprise, which aims to create employment and educational opportunities. Our open studio offers a chance to find out more about the inspiration behind the studio, our views on social responsibility and our vision for the future.

Studio 47

47 Malop St, Geelong
10am – 5pm

Our artists work in a variety of media including fashion design and creation, visual art in both 2D and 3D forms, textile and fibre wearable art from recycled materials and jewellery. They will be at work in the studio and available to welcome visitors, discuss concepts, techniques, materials and projects, and to answer any queries. Work will be available for viewing and purchase.

VICTORIAN TAPESTRY WORKSHOP

Who am Eye

109 Victoria St, Fitzroy
whoameye.com.au
12-3pm

Go behind the seams and see where the magic happens and creativity takes flight in the studio of above.