Spending is in the air

By Nicola St John

It’s time to strip off your coat, banish the black and don something floral.

Spring is here. Finally. And with it comes the MSFW which, to those unaccustomed to fashion acronyms, is Melbourne’s Spring Fashion Week.

If the previews are anything to go by, expect a lot of wearable clothes. Think bright, think colour, and think increased retail sales. The fashion week’s sole purpose it seems, is to get people shopping again, to reverse the downward spiral retailers have been facing.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said this year’s event would cement Melbourne’s place as the fashion capital.

“We are proud to have 80 per cent of Melbourne Spring Fashion Week made up of Melbourne designers, more than we have had in any other year,” he said.

The program launch featured a sea of iridescent colour, matched with bold tailoring, striking cuts and the classic whimsical ethereal dress.

Neo Dia sent down the runway an origami-inspired creation with detailed tailoring in lemon yellow – sure to be the new colour of summer 2012.

Dhini followed with sorbet orange and Jessica Hendrick with a fluoro-green neoprene bodycon mini, perfect for a chic scuba dive, but not for the faint-hearted.

So if you are going to miss the parade of fabulous fashions running from September 5 to 11, worry not. Just as important as debuting future fashion, is to convince consumers to buy these collections.

They are sure to be in a store near you.