MBFWA 2019 saw a mix of the Australian laid-back aesthetic as well as MAJOR throwbacks to the 70s, 80s and 90s on the runway and on the streets. Bec + Bridge and Alice McCall both served up retro 70s looks, Jonathan Simkhai channelled some serious 80s vibes and fashion showgoers rocked the 90s in vinyl, hair clips and bum bags.
With MBFWA wrapping up, we’ve been keeping tabs on our favourite designers and what we’re seeing we’re loving! The Esther & Co. team have gathered our top favourites so you have the low down.
AJE
Aje kicked off the week by the water near Wendy Whitely’s garden in a beautiful celebration of Australia. “We feel really proud to be an Australian brand, and we feel really proud of our Australian heritage,” said designer Edwina Forest after the show. Drawing inspiration from a dreamy palette of earthy tones accented with eucalyptus green, wattle yellow and salt pan pink, we feel the collection was the perfect homage to Australia.
MATTEAU
From the girls who brought us stripped down bikinis comes their biggest collection to date, proving that more often than not, simple is beautiful. It was all in the structural details, not to mention we were blown away by the beautiful Phoebe Tonkin in an elegant floor-sweeping two piece.
BEC + BRIDGE
Surf’s up in 1974 as models walked down the Bec + Bridge shag carpet runway to the Beach Boys. The collection has got us seriously nostalgic for summer, and ready to book a vacation with palm tree wallpaper prints, tight shiny flare pants, and big, bold and beautiful silhouettes.
ALICE MCCALL
Pretty little numbers in flirty cuts have been Alice McCall’s calling card. She killed it once again with the 60s style deep side parts, pastel barrettes and black eyeliner while the fringe, feathers and fabulous mini dresses screamed the 70s.
JONATHAN SIMKHAI
US designer Jonathan Simkhai made his Australian runway debut at magic hour against a setting sun on Sydney’s Bondi Beach. He described his dresses as encapsulating the moment “when you’re with someone you love and it’s 5 o’clock and the sun’s setting and the person you’re with, their face is glowing and you have a drink in hand and you’re having the best time,” Not gonna lie, we’re into it!