Fashion Week's Fabulous Nobodies

RAFW 2009

And once again, fashion week is upon us. Designers are using the global financial crisis to excuse their absence from this year's extravaganza, to be held in Sydney next week. It's really not due to fewer dress sales but rather the hemorrhaging of prospective sponsors. C'mon, you didn't honestly think designers paid for their own shows? The biggest hole in the schedule is left by Akira, although most of last year's hero shows are missing. Michelle Jank, Easton Pearson, Mad Cortes. Must-see shows this year will be Kirrily Johnston, Zambesi, Fernando Frisoni and Willow but the schedule is largely a mix of fabulous nobodies who will need to do something remarkable to attract the media attention they so desire. Still, we welcome new talent. Indeed we crave it. It will be interesting to see if new kid Dion Lee will live up to the hype for his first solo show. Also of interest will be Magdalena Velevska, one time designer and PR gal for Nicola Finetti. For the mainstream there will be the obligatory Lisa Ho, Wayne Cooper and Zimmerman shows. The more creatively-minded might be left wanting more...