Ori Building: fashion hot spot

Posted on 27 August, 2016

It’s a hot spot for fashion. Braddon’s Ori building is a fashion mecca.

Thirteen labels found in three retailers in the Ori Building are showcasing collections on the catwalk at FASHFEST this year. It’s a super stylish effort and means in one visit to Braddon you can get a feel for the amazing diversity of aesthetics.

Assemblage Project is home to no fewer than eight of those labels. Owned by Karen Lee, it’s a cool shop with a curated collection of mostly independent Australian labels that complement one another beautifully. Many are sustainably produced; others celebrate slow fashion.

EDITION. Photographer: Eric Piris

Karen, who is the designer behind the label ‘Karen Lee’, is creating a dominant, strong and bold collection for FASHFEST 2016, concentrating on shape and form. One of Canberra’s longest-standing and most popular independent labels, Karen’s new collection is in tune with the signature restrained colour palette she’s so well known for. Her designs aren’t trendy fads. Rather Karen’s clothing is designed to be worn for years to come, including by women who want to feel comfortable and confident.

Karen Lee

In addition to her own label, Karen is putting on an ‘Assemblage Project’ show for the first time, featuring High Tea with Mrs Woo (a collaboration of three sisters from Newcastle), Eva Cassis (a premium lifestyle brand from Marrickville, NSW), Kowtow (a 100% sustainable brand from New Zealand) and Wendy Voon (a contemporary, luxurious handcrafted knitwear label from Melbourne).

Outside of the Assemblage Project show will be individual collections launched by three other well-known and respected fashion designers who retail with Karen—Edition, Pure Pod and SZN. They’re all on closing night (6.30 pm) and it’s going to be a smashing show.

SZN

Rebel Muse is participating in FASHFEST for the first time, and will appear on opening night (both the 6.30pm and the 8.30pm show). Owner Alicia Xyrakis is presenting four labels she stocks, including Alice McCall who is known for holding one of the biggest shows at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week every year. Asilio, one of the ‘it brands’ of the moment, with a huge cult following, will also be showing. So too with sought after Hansen & Gretel and MLM.

Alice McCall, available from Rebel Muse

Braddon Tailors returns for the third year, to launch its Spring/Summer ’16 Collection of men’s and women’s fashion (closing night, 8.30 pm show). Braddon Tailors uses fabric from the finest mill in the world, French fabric house Dormeuil Cloth and will be showcasing its exclusive DPhilosophy fabric range. Expect shades of blue and navy and Braddon Tailors’ classic ‘Acton Cut’ which incorporates a soft silhouette, half floating canvas and bespoke detailing.

Assemblage Project – Kowtow

FASHFEST 2016 is being held at the National Convention Centre Canberra, 29 September to 1 October. Tickets available: www.fashfest.com.au