From encouraging self-expression, body inclusivity and breaking stereotypes, the inaugural Cairns Fashion Week is not to be missed.
Designers will put their best frocks forward in daring, classic and altogether stylish categories at the inaugural Cairns Fashion Week from June 20 to June 24.
Cairns Fashion Week founder Jade Turnbull said the event would bring together local, national and international designers, with a strong focus on emerging creatives and showcasing the diversity and creativity the region has to offer.
“We really want to put Cairns on the map for fashion globally and empower the community,” Ms Turnbull said.
“We want to make fashion accessible and inclusive so we’re using models of all sizes.”
While Cairns may have a laid back attitude with fashion compared to cities such as Melbourne or Sydney, Ms Turnbull said she wanted to use fashion week to inspire people to wear what they want without fear of judgment.
The very first Cairns Fashion week will run from June 20 to 24, with runway events being held at the Tanks Art Centre and Crystalbrook Riley, running alongside workshops and symposiums. Model Brandon Acevendo wears a St Ballentine Jacket which will be shown at the Podium Showcase runway event at the Tanks Art Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke
“We want squash the stereotype that Cairns isn’t a ‘good’ place for fashion,” she said.
“I want to see people being able to express themselves so they can feel comfortable and confident walking out an outfit that’s an expression on their personality.”
No stranger to using fashion to express himself, particularly in high school, was Cairns fashion designer and founder of label St Ballentine, Ben Ballantine.
“Fashion was the first thing that allowed me to be myself as a teenager,” Mr Ballentine said.
He said the height of the emo and goth scene helped him express himself creatively.
“I felt like a slightly overweight loser and then I started wearing black nail polish and eyeliner and got more creative in how I dressed. I made friends because fashion became a conversation opener,” he said.
The very first Cairns Fashion week will run from June 20 to 24, with runway events being held at the Tanks Art Centre and Crystalbrook Riley, running alongside workshops and symposiums. Models Marjorie Dorante-Wymarra and Brandon Acevendo wear local designs by Dada’s Step and St Ballentine respectively, which will be shown at the Podium Showcase runway event at the Tanks Art Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke
That freedom set Mr Ballentine on a course to study fashion at TAFE and ultimately meet the love of his life on a family trip to Bali.
“I went in to get a shirt made and look at some fabric when I met this incredible woman, who also works in the fashion industry, and fell in love,” he said.
His first collection, a labour of love inspired by King Louis XIV’s court in Versailles, will debut in the haute couture category.
Despite the lofty heights of classical fashion, that has been stereotyped with haute couture, Mr Ballentine rejected the elitism that is often associated with the style.
“There are only so many places you can wear outfits with rags all over your body or things hanging off of you,” he said.
“This collection is very pretty stuff you can actually wear to an event that’s not the tired old black tuxedo but also not so outrageous.”
For more information on Cairns Fashion Week or to buy tickets, visit the Cairns Fashion Week website.
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