What goes round comes round. And that includes the Peppermint Twist (for those of you under the age of 40, that’s the name of a bestselling song from the 60s…but that’s not all it is).

Although she wouldn’t have known it modelling on a runway at the Canberra Airport under a grey and somewhat threatening sky, Belinda Riding, The Face of FASHFEST, was wearing a dress made of material originally bought for tights in 2009. And she didn’t know the fabric was called Peppermint Twist.

Corr Blimey’s Peppermint Twist dress, worn by Belinda Riding, Face of Fashfes. Shot by Leighton Hutchinson on location at Canberra Airport. Hair by Form Hair and Makeup by M:Artistry.

What Belinda did know was that the slinky jersey the dress was made out of felt wonderful on the skin. And she loved the design.

‘We like our fabrics to feel nice,’ says designer Louisa de Smet, who owns local label Corr Blimey with her partner in life and business Steve Wright. ‘And we love to create garments that command attention.’

FASHFEST designers were given a brief for the promo shoot, and when Louisa read it she instinctively knew she needed to design a garment that would maximise the positive aspects of whatever space was chosen at the unique Canberra Airport location.

‘If shot on the tarmac, the conditions would probably be windy and the background quite harsh,’ said Louisa. ‘If shot inside, there would likely be lots of shiny reflective surfaces. That was the design challenge.’

Then Louisa remembered the Peppermint Twist fabric she had tucked away, with its diagonal pinstripe and semi-mat finish, which she and Steve initially bought years ago for a collection they called Freedom Isn’t Free. ‘I knew it would be an amazing fabric that would stand out,’ said Louisa.

The original Peppermint Twist dress from the “Freedom Isn’t Free’ collection.

The contrast of the dress changing from a second skin to pooling on the floor is intentional. ‘The extra weight of the hemline exaggerates the natural drape of the fabric and allows for versatility in creating striking poses,’ says Louisa. ‘I felt it would fall like liquid through Belinda’s fingers if she just stood and clutched the fabric in her hands. And I was secretly hoping for a big gust of wind to catch the dress and blow it about.’

Then it happened. The gust of wind. And FASHFEST’s Director of Photography, Leighton Hutchinson, was in full flight capturing the moment.

Corr Blimey’s Peppermint Twist treat was created for the photo shoot but also as a sneak peek to what Louisa and Steve will be showcasing off the tarmac and on the FASHFEST runway on closing night, Saturday 3 May.

‘The neckline links to the designs we’re launching as part of our new collection, which we’ve called Berlin,’ says Louisa. ‘The dress was intended as a promotional garment only but we’ve had such a good response to the photographs we’ve decided to incorporate a version of it into our new collection. It will be made from a different fabric and more accessible for everyday wear.’

Corr Blimey’s Peppermint Twist dress, worn by Belinda Riding, Face of Fashfest. Shot by Leighton Hutchinson on location at Canberra Airport. Hair by Form Hair and Makeup by M:Artistry.

Corr Blimey has found their niche in the marketplace. It’s the sculptural approach to streetwear that makes the label such a hit with its devoted fans and Louisa and Steve can’t help but get a real buzz when they see their designs being worn.

‘We’re not interested in massive runs of garments,’ says Louisa. ‘We’re more about bespoke pieces and work often with limited runs of fabric, so when we run out we run out. It just means those who own a Corr Blimey piece own something special. There’s plenty of mass produced clothing saturating the market. It’s just not where we’re going with our label.’

This is Corr Blimey’s second appearance at FASHFEST.

After their inaugural appearance, the designers were approached by retailer Susan Taylor who runs the cutting-edge boutique, the Department of the Exterior, in the heart of Manuka. Susan now sells Corr Blimey’s women’s wear and is taking orders for the Peppermint Twist dress, but with its own twist. The dress will be made in black and silver—block colours—with orders being filled after the four-day fashion event is over.

FASHFEST runs from 30 April to 3 May. Tickets are on sale now and are already about half sold. They are available exclusively through www.fashfest.com.au

Photo with Belinda Riding, Face of Fashfest by Leighton Hutchinson on location at Canberra Airport. Hair by Form Hair and Makeup by M:Artistry.