Phew, made it…
Phew, made it! a fantastic night had by all I’m sure. The Styleaid team really out did themselves yet again (have no idea how as each one is always so amazing).
When I walked in I was gobsmacked to how beautiful and dramatic it all looked, the stage was all black with these wicked leafless trees in white lining the back (heard was another Aly May creation painted by the extraordinaire herself!).
All the lights were dimmed so the long white lily table centrepieces just stood out and looked magnificent.
Alcohol aplenty the show started with a performance by Hayden Tee the host who I was asked to dress. As it was a last minute arrangement, I didn’t realise he was singing whilst high up in a cherry picker!! but thank goodness Hayden looked fabulous and it all seemed to fit him perfectly! He was a fantastic singer.
After this whilst the hosts were talking, was a quick trip backstage to make sure the models were dressed right, as we had these boxing wraps that the dressers would have had no idea how to put on.
A quick check and a few wraps later they were all good to go. It all looked so cool seeing ALL the models lined up in their outfits for each designer, waiting to go on stage. There were lots of different style and stories happening but couldn’t gaze for long as had to get back to watch it all, wouldn’t want to miss it!
And it all came out, looking marvellous. I love it, just seeing all the different styles and personalities of each designer come out visually. Each one so different, the music, the presentation. I liked the way Aly had each of the emerging designer’s models come out kind of all at once in a line, it was really cool. I thought the designers were all so talented and really professional.I also loved Material Boys giant caps, so cool, I want one!! The parade was kind of like watching Fashion TV on Foxtel where you just get an entourage of fashion coming at you, love it. Could watch it 24hours. When my stuff came out it was really cool as I wasn’t so nervous this time round so could actually enjoy it! plus it was nice to be able to actually watch it from the audience because usually I am always backstage dressing.
StyleAID is really nice like that, as we don’t have to dress as they get dressers for you so we can actually enjoy ourselves too and see it all.
Then when I thought it was all over, after a break the WA Ballet came on and it was sooo cool, I wish I could be a dancer like that! was so vibrant and energetic, funky. And then at 10.30pm when you really thought the entertainment was all over, they had the Burlesque dancers come on and they were REALLY cool too! It was just fabulous to have entertainment all through the night (and I think it saved me from getting way too drunk).
There were so many people there, I think the whole of Perth was there, kept bumping into people you knew. Got to meet Hayden too which was nice, he was very amusing, great fun. So it was so sad when it was time to go BUT there was the StyleAID bag to collect and that’s always fun seeing what’s in there (I especially love the MAC stuff).
Oh and got to check out the silent bidding on all our Finale dresses donated by all the designers as we walked out. I think this was a great idea as people got to see up close the frocks and could put a bid on there and then (plus a few drinks always helps!) I was pleased to see that my frock was up to about $250 but later heard it ended up around $300 which I was really pleased for as it all goes to raising money for the AIDS Council.
I just can’t wait til next year’s StyleAID now…I have no idea how they will top this one, it was fantastic! but somehow they always do. I’ve heard the StyleAID crew have already started planning for next year and have picked out their theme!!! I think it’s gonna be a big one, as I think it’s an anniversary year so don’t miss out!! xxx
From Alvin and the ae’lkemi crew…
Not long now…
Only a week away….not long now….new shoes to break in…lol…so many things to get done. Fortunately preparing for style aid this year like previous ones has been a breeze, wish everything else went this easy. You guys ROCK !!!!
Two Weeks to go…
Two weeeks to go!!! where does all the time go, hard to believe it’s so soon and that’s just me, can’t think how much stress everyone else must be feeling.
Fittings went underway last Sunday and the Styleaid team as usual were ultra organised with models and designers inundating Aly’s place all day.
It’s full on, and all hands were on deck…Mark was up and about organising all the models shots (btw great casting Mark on my Preacher boys!! luv your work), Satya had to do all the run sheets - info for each model (and there about 80 of them I think, basically alot) whilst Aly in between organising the chaos was busy typing in all the final info, music track, shoes, styling everything to the last detail so important when dealing with such a huge group show I don’t know how she manages not to go mental!
Georgia was our floor manager organising all the models for the designers…phew!.. so just a few quick trips to our shoe sponsors Zomp and Vuk to select shoes then can submit my final details, with a few models not able to make the fitting and will come in during the week/s.
Now that I have seen the guys am having new outfits tailor made for each one, the girls were pretty easy to fit and are already done. Yay nearly there, wonder how everyone else is going?
Briefly saw Alvin (ae’lkemi) and Ali (joveeba) at the fitting but didn’t get a chance to catch up, as everyone was too busy running after models and sorting out stuff. And that was just the beginning of the day!
Pat from Preacher
Pat’s update…
Wow only 3 weeks to go before the big event and am starting to stress a little as this is a busy time of the year, with spring summer preps and production plus designing a new autumn winter range for next year plus the big event!! plus I also have the store to look after as well (lucky I have the best staff in the world who are always so helpful!!) wow my head is starting to go a bit crazy just trying to keep track of dates and deadlines!
Fitting’s are this weekend, and some of my garments are over east on product call for magazines and unfortunately only had the one sample and have had poor Georgia running around trying to ring it all in!! (I know Georgia next time, next time must have more than two!!).
Though having done the MAFW show think should be ok, as have seen it altogether on the models..plus experience of last Styleaid and other shows in Perth is always great, as am now familiar with most of the models (sizes, hair colour etc)
Will just be checking how things look on the models and will probably have to do new garments to fit them (the guys). The girls are usually pretty similar sizing though, all skinny and gorgeous!! so two weeks or so to get it all done.
Plus also have the pleasure to dress Mark Reid again and am currently sorting his outfit out as well..which is a total breeze as he’s so easy to please and looks fabulous in anything!!! (just in case you’re reading this Mark!!) but it is true….! I must say he did look rather dashing last year, let’s hope can make him so again this year!!
Also next week I think we will be starting to put up the Styleaid garments up for auction in the store window so make sure you all check it out and bid for them on…. [Mark you might need to fill this bit in as I’m not sure on the correct details…].
The garments will be on display at Saints in Subiaco, Preacher in Mt Lawley…..[did you want me to add this info in at the end for extra reminders? Even though you have it in the website?] so will see what sort of “heavenly” window display I can come up with!!)
4 weeks to go…
4 weeks to go !!!!!! Fitting times are scheduled models casted ……what am I going to wear ??? which shoes??? things starting to get serious….
Just realised it is only 6 weeks til StyleAid “Heaven”!!
Second time round though it’s not too bad as know what to expect and also have the advantage of having just done the RTW Show at Mercedes Australian Fashion Week earlier in the year so everything’s kind of done… music, hair and make-up, props, styling..plus the StyleAid team are ultra organised and helpful, they make it a breeze (compared to last minute preps for Mercedes!!) as they’ve been organising and planning for months ahead.
All we designer’s need to do is turn up with our frocks and do the fittings!! fabulous! should get Mercedes to hire the StyleAid team, at least we’d all be a little less stressed out.
Have a few finishing touches to do for the guys outfits though… most of the girls are done and ready to go. The only thing a little different though from the Fashion Week show is incorporating the guys in with the girls as did the women’s show instead of the combined show.
Thought at that stage was too tricky to organise given the time frames back then and too much pressure…but we get to have more fun at the StyleAid show which makes everything easier, so doing guys and girls will be cool.
I’ve got some ideas as to how it’s all going to look, will run it by Aly though or will wait for fittings to find out what the run-order will be.
StyleAid is quite a unique group show in that we have LOTS of wonderful models (all generously donating their time), rather than just a few models which makes the outfit changes a bit easier for everyone (models, dressers, organisers) as they get more time… it’s quite amazing backstage when everyone’s about to start.
So many people back there organising everything, plus dressers, hair and make-up people and a sea of models in amazing outfits, all different styles, looks….and everyone’s buzzing with excitement.
Can’t wait!!!!
Pat from Preacher
Alvin speaks…
Dear Diary………..Ha!!! The fun of pre production , patterns, fabrics going missing , stroking egos and datelines….such a dirty word!!!!!!!!!!!
Designers in a new light
Can you beleive it the amazing Aly May, the stunning stylist for StyleAID has once again come up with a new concept for the event this year.
For the past couple of years a number of top designers have been donating garments that match the theme of the event and they have then been auctioned off…to cut a long story short…this year we have again had 20 garments donated but in a new twist they have been handed over to 20 top WA photographers for them to put their own artistic spin on them and the results are amazing.
Some of these shots can be seen exclusivley in 2 publications before the big night - STM magazine in the Sunday Times this Sunday 18 June and also in the upcoming BOX Magazine which is just about to hit the newstands.
In them you will see just a few of the amazing images that have been created…these will then be showcased for the first time at our exclusive sponsor night that is being held on Tuesday 27 June at the Parmelia Hilton.
Each of the prints is a one off and will be on sale. They will then resurface in a range of retail outlets for veiwing in the lead up to the event…more details on where and when in coming weeks…
Designers head towards Heaven
It is so difficult to chose who will and will not get to show their ranges at StyleAID each year…
There is so much top design talent in Western Australia that it comes down to working on a rotation of designers so that we can be fair and give those interested in being part of the event a chance to participate.
As this is a group show that is not based on retail selling we are lucky that we have the ability to showcase ranges from the designers in a unique way.
With the emerging talent section growing each year and interest rising in all things great about WA fashion we are so lucky to be able to showcase the best that the west has to offer.
This section of the StyleAID blog will hopefully give you a bit of an insight into the process that some of the designers involved with StyleAID go through in getting their looks and ranges ready to be a part of this event and just to have a general rave about fashion…
Watch this space as Pat from Preacher and Alvin from ae’lkemi begin their journey with us to the catwalk for this years event…
