Last Saturday was the day for the alternative fashion event of the year. Circa Nocturna is a yearly catwalk show held as part of LMFF that showcases goth, retro, rave, victoriana and all manner of alternative fashion. It is a smorgasbord of black, lace, ruffles and plaid. It has become one of my favorite LMFF events as it never fails to surprise with new talent as well as still having that raw, independent quality. Unlike almost everything else you’ll see as a part of fashion week, Circa Nocturna is far less trend driven, less seasonal and much more about fashion as a defining statement
This years line up included some old favorites as well as the launch of new ones, in particular my favorite Darling James by fellow Melbourne blogger HarbourMaster. Full of retro goodness but spiced up with shorter, flirty lengths and glimpses of neon tulle. Trashglam was another surprise that had old skool raver meets Harajuku Girl written all over it.
My perinial favorite Dolly Q did not disappoint with rococo looks, high fashion styling and delightful separates. Vanyanis showed an eclectic grouping of pieces than ran from the retro to the baroque with particularly dapper menswear so as not to be out done by blushing debutantes. Emilie Gray showed just what can be achieved with an update on simple vintage lines and produced a cohesive collection of highly wearable and affordable day wear. Beserk Clothing with their dark anime influences, lit up the catwalk with hot reds and electric blues, blinged out “Love &Hate” knuckle dusters, and the most awesome ‘maned’ legwarmers I’ve ever seen!
The evening was a showcase of paradox, defining what alternative fashion should be, what it should have left behind long before now and where it is headed. It seems that Circa Nocturna gets better with age, attracting more diverse designers, more polished collections and yet more things for me to covet.
If you’d like to find out more about any of the designs or designers seen in the gallery, check out the Official Circa Nocturna site.
All the highlights of the evening are here for your viewing pleasure and inspiration. Just click on an image to see it enlarge and navigate from there. There are arrows at the bottom of the photos, but you need to change proof sheets from the main page.
Should you wish to use any of these images, please just email me for permission.
I was...
It’s all so amazing! I am definitely going next year. Would be the best event of the LMFF by far I’m sure
Thanks for posting the photos, such a wide variety of looks! Very fun!
I looooooove Dolly Q – I used to work with Dani at Dracula’s! She’s AMAZING
OMFG, I love it all! You are so lucky to have such talented designers in your area.
Lovely! Thank you for posting this.
Smashing review SKM, and yours are the best catwalk photos I’ve seen from the night! It is such an exciting and worthwhile event to be part of, I’d encourage everyone to get in quickly for tickets next year!
How random – I have just noticed a very dear friend of mine who I havent spoken to in awhile was one of the models in your photos!
Good prompt to contact her again
Beautiful photos and some impressive designs there.
Yes yes yes, your blog is just soooo wonderful and gives me a lot of energy!
A footprint from Sweden by Agneta
Agneta:
That is so lovely, thank you
HI, I’ve followed your older blog for a while and always come back around to see what s new – I love this new site and enjoyed checking out all the awesome pics of these fashions that are so much cooler than the mundane!! I also thought since you like all things kawaii that you might be interested in knowing about a Big-pretty-girlie-kawaii-Hello Kitty-esque GIVEAWAY that I’m doing on my blog – Check it out I really think you’ll dig it and the clothes that the little doll in the giveaway is wearing!
http://www.amarettogirl.com
Love the new look SKM especially the logo! Alsoo congrats on your own fashion line, can’t wait to see yours on the catwalk.
Planning Queen: Thank you – It is so very exciting.
Wow it all looks so awesome! I wish I could get ahold of clothes like thosemore easily where I lived…
[...] Super Kawaii Mama – Circa Nocturna 2010 [...]
Wow, this post brings back memories of my raver days. Making outfits and dressing up was such a huge part of the fun. The amount of time that went into planning everything from jewelry, to matching fluro fur accents, to matching bags, nails, make up. It was SO much fun. I look at this post and it reminds me of things I used to make 10 years ago. Fun, fun, fun fashion times indeed. Thank you so much for posting these pics, they have really put a smile on my face.
♥