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Fashion steps into the spotlight Libby Hill reports
CANBERRA may not be known for its fashion scene but there’s no lack of talent. Local stylist, designer and model, Hannah St James, is so confident in the depth of creativity here that she’s developed the capital’s first fashion festival. Avant Garden: Canberra Fashion Festival 2012 is to be held on November 23-25 and will promote the best of Canberra style. “We’re showcasing all local designers and a lot of the collections are exclusive so not only have they not been seen on the runway before, but they’ve never been seen at all,” Hannah says. The 24-year-old former public servant is now focusing full time on her business, House of St James, and has big plans to make Canberra’s fashion festival an annual event. She has aspirations to make it a week-long festival in the image of L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival. “I’m passionate about promoting Canberra as the creative hub that I really think it is,” she says. “I’d really like to promote a more healthy body image... And I think Canberrans in general have a more conservative dress style and I’d like to see a
Hannah St James. Image by Dell, with make-up and hair by Jolina O’Hair. little bit more avant garde style or even just a little bit more colour on people. “I’d also like to get into helping environmental and charitable causes. I think that fashion and charity are a very logical match because they bring the people with money to the people who need money.” Avant Garden kicks off with VIP night on Friday, November 23, at Kremlin Bar, but the main event will be held on the afternoon of Sunday, November 25 at Hotel Realm and will feature catwalk displays of local de-
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signer collections, guest speakers and pop-up events. There will be an afterparty on Sunday night at Ostani Bar & Restaurant, on the ground floor of Hotel Realm. As well as a runway show, the festival will feature live music, dance, guest speakers with designers including Rockstars and Royalty, Zoe Brown, Caitleen Moloney, Alice Sutton, Hannah Knight, Stephanie Cooper, Janette Lenk, Pure Pod Sustainable Clothing, Sofia Polak, and millinery by Bronwen Stead and Cynthia Bryson.
Information at avantgarden2012. blogspot.com.au. Tickets at canberrafashionfestival.ticketbud.com/avantgarden-2012
Judy gets a gong RETIREE Judy Ingle has received the Fred Hollows Foundation’s 20th Anniversary Helping Hand Award for her “legendary” efforts in fundraising for the foundation. Judy recently relinquished her 18-year volunteer role as chairperson of the Canberra branch of the Foundation, during which time she was responsible for raising many hundreds of thousands of dollars. The award was presented to Judy by Fred Hollows’ widow, Gabi Hollows, in Sydney. In the last five years alone, the foundation and its partners have carried out nearly one million sight-restoring operations and treatments. To find out how to support the Fred Hollows Foundation, visit www.hollows.org.au
Credits
Photographer: Eric Piris of Red Photography Stylist: Hannah St James Hair stylist: Sara Jayne Burke Make-up artist: Claire Warmenhoven Model: Molly Folkard Molly wears: Corset, by Zoe Brown
Judy Ingle gets her award from Gabi Hollows, left.
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