On September 1 we were welcomed to the Brisbane Ravishing Fashionistas Fashion Show for 2024. On our way down to the Treasury Casino, excitement was high for an evening of glitz, glamour and fashion!
It was an opportunity to experience the excitement of the fashion world up close. Students were invited backstage through hair and makeup departments to see where all the magic happened, before heading into the dressing rooms. Here students were lucky enough to meet the models and designers of that evening’s show. While slightly shy to begin with, students slowly began to weave between the dressing racks of colourful, innovative garments and ask questions. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to engage in personal conversations with fashion designers and runway models; to ask about their beginnings and inspirations, their success, and if you were lucky, receive some words of advice.
After taking our seats in the courtyard we were introduced to the women behind it all, Umpa Kite, Mrs. Australia Universal 2019. She is breaking through stereotypes in the fashion industry and setting a new standard where any woman can be a model in their own right, irrespective of body type, cultural background and beliefs. The Ravishing Fashionistas team curates events showcasing the latest innovations and fashion concepts from highly talented established designers while presenting incredible emerging designers to the fashion world.
And then it was showtime! The first collection, consisting of garments made from recycled and reused materials began to flood the isles. Imagine a colourful dress made from pharmaceutical blister packs, a skirt woven from dried palm fronds, or a beautiful flowing gown made from plastic Hello Fresh packaging. It was inspiring to see what incredible garments can be crafted from items that would otherwise be considered waste. The following collections ranged from ball gowns to swimwear to patchwork vintage tea towel jackets, with models aging from little girls to grandmas.
What a wonderful, inspiring, conversation-provoking evening. Thank you Ravishing Fashionistas!
Primrose Kombanie, Secondary Teacher