Sisters represent at FASHFEST

Posted on 24 September, 2016

By day they work as nannies, in a family-run restaurant, study at Master’s level or are project managers and recruitment consultants. By night they DJ or sing their hearts out.

We’re talkin’ the female music line-up for FASHFEST 2016. More female artists will perform than ever before, kickin’ out tunes sure to please. And for the first time, three sisters will join forces to present ‘Soul Sisters.’ DJ Dimple, DJ Lipgloss and Fresh Princess—Canberra’s Singh sisters—will ramp it up on closing night, the last show, spinning the hottest tracks ever.

DJ Dimple.

Ashley Feraude, Director of Music for FASHFEST, says Fresh Princess has flown back early from a trip to the United States just to play at the event. “It’s going to be an amazing and truly memorable set,” says Ashley.

Music and fashion go hand-in-hand. Live music—instead of the piped-in variety guests hear at so many fashion shows—is a FASHFEST priority. “Live music takes fashion to another level,” says Ashley. “It heightens the senses. It brings its own sense of style to designer collections, helping with the movement of the models and the clothing.”

Who is on deck for 2016?

Neon Honey. Image: Art Atelier.

The ‘Soul Sisters’ for sure, with DJ Dimple blending funk, soul and more. She’s enjoyed an international career, playing in bars and clubs in New York City. DJ Lipgloss is about hip-hop and R&B beats. Her diversity even shows in her many shades of lipgloss. Fresh Princess spent most of this year DJing on world-famous Bourbon Street in New Orleans. She specialises in a 90s, hip-hop, party vibe.

Ashlee McKenzie, one of Canberra’s favourite party providers, incorporates everything from old-school throwbacks to new-school vibes. She’s played to demanding crowds across Australia and is uber cool. “She’s probably one of the hottest female DJs to operate in a club circuit in the capital,’ says Ashley. “She has broken the mould. She didn’t become one of the boys to DJ but can be pretty aggressive with her music.”

Ave Nocturna.

At the total opposite end of the music spectrum is Ave Nocturna, which means night owl in Spanish. This DJ is all about mood and a deep hypnotic groove. She’s tailored a smashing set for FASHFEST.

Chantelle Milin, a Canberra-based singer songwriter and solo acoustic performer who has been composing original music for many years, goes by the name NeonHoney. Chantelle sings from the heart and takes her audiences on an emotional journey to the nerve centre. At FASHFEST, she’ll collaborate with Ashley in a special set. These two musicians have released three singles that have climbed the ARIA Club Chart.

So if fashion ain’t your thing, but music is, FASHFEST is a must-see event. All up, 25 live musicians and DJS will entertain guests. It’s the largest number yet.

When can you see these fab artists?

Soul Sisters (DJ Dimple, DJ Lipgloss and Fresh Princess)—closing night, 8.30

Ave Nocturna—opening night, 6.30

NeonHoney—Friday night, 8.30

Ashlee McKenzie—opening night, 8.30

the essentials

What: FASHFEST
When: 29 September – 1 October (three nights, two shows a night)
Where: National Convention Centre Canberra
Tickets: fashfest.com.au