Recently I was able to attend Aron’s Katona’s Runway In The Forest, held during the Melbourne Fringe Festival. Uniquely the venue chosen for the event was Sea Life Melbourne Aqaurium, which gave it a unique look to what typically is a runway venue.
The event was curated by Melbourne fashion designer Aron Katona, Aron has put on multiple runways over the last few years with this being his second held at the aquarium. It featured couture designs from Aron’s label as well as other emerging designers both from Melbourne and country Victoria.
Other designers featured on the night where. Sépideh Couture, Chameleon Art Werx, Natalie, Hamblin Couture, XO by Kali, Tatyana Design, Art in Situ, A Romantic Soul, Vanshika Bhatnagar and Suzy Syme Art Couture.
Once I arrived, I immediately walked into the Aquarium to see if I could find either backstage or the runway, which to my surprise was a very hard thing to find. Even one of the models who got caught up in MUAH didn’t know where the runway was. It was only after going through a few floors at sea life did I find the runway area. But most importantly backstage!
Backstage
Now I knew going into this event that flash was a no-no for the lovely animals and sea creatures that call the aquarium home, so I made sure to pack a RGB panel into my pocket to get a few shots and I have to say I’m glad I did as most of the shots backstage ended up being my favourites from the night.
My main objective photographing this event was to showcase the local designers but also the amazing men and women that gave up there time and effort to be apart of the runway. All too often the magnitude of a runway show, subtracts the human elements from the show. Designs are looked at as a lineup and models seem like players of a football field. Passing through so quickly you very rarely have time to really take it all in.
That’s one of the reasons why I like very intimate runways, it gives the viewers a more up close and personal view of the designers and the people that are wearing them, I have to give it to Aron and the team, I don’t think anyone didn’t get a good view at the show.
This is also why as a fashion photographer, I enjoy back stage so much, Its a chance for me to get up close and personal with what’s being worn and highlight it in my own style. Don’t get me wrong though, I still love big runways!
Some of the shots you see here are pieces from Melbourne designer Sépideh Couture. Sepideh Rahimi started her fashion label a number of years ago now and likes to incorporate more of sculptural aspect to her designs, I don’t think there was one of her pieces that fitted the normal shape a particular article of clothing should be. As you can see from the photos, majority of them where beautiful. This was her first runway event and I do hope we get to see more of Sépideh’s work in the years to come
Also another great designer with great style was Vanshika Bhatnagar. Vanshika had a great assortment of styles and designs. One of the recurring patterns I see with what I do is a label sorting a runway lineup to cater to anyone who may be in the audience, This is good in some aspect as it shows the skills of the dressmaker as well as the creativity of such designer. Vanshika has some stunning pieces on the night and it was a joy to photograph them.
Another beautiful piece was work by Natalie Hamblin Couture, Worn by Margie Pty. I unfortunately didn’t get more photos of her work back stage as a majority of it was being presented mid show so very few models had any of her pieces on.
The Runway
First off, really liked how the runway snaked around in one large circle to accommodate the crowd. There would have to have been 300 or more seats and I would not be surprised if I got that figure completely wrong. The show was hosted by signer and performer Issi, who also closed the runway with her performance.
Now moving onto the runway shot. Two florescent lights where setup at the end of the runway with a hair light in the background, It would have been the understatement of the century to say the venue was a little dark, Prime lenses stayed on my camera all night and for runways that I’ve attended it was a little surprising.
In all fairness the ceiling height really dent cater to larger lights or booms and with the aquarium being a home to live animals they did the best they could with the limitations. An improvement in lighting next year should definitely benefit the event.
Now, usually in my previous posts I’ll go through each label showcasing each individual work, but this time I’m going to take a different approach. And if its popular I’ll most likely take this format into some aspects of my Melbourne Fashion Week coverage coming up in a week.
I’m going to separate all of the designs into categories, stating which designer has done which piece. This gives you get a rough idea of the styles that were at the event.
Most of the couture items show on the night were not part of a singular collection and didn’t follow one particular theme all the way through, as you see In other collections. So from a practical standpoint it makes more sense of me to show you the design in this format.
But of course let me know what you think in the comments, Id love to know!
Corsets and Avant-garde
Designs By: Sépideh Couture and Suzy Syme Art Couture
Embellishment and Embroidery
Designs By: Vanshika Bhatnagar, Art in Situ and Aron Katona
Dresses & Two-Piece
Designs By: Suzy Syme Art Couture, Tatyana Design, and Aron Katona
Jackets and Suits
Designs By: Aron Katona, Chameleon Art Werx and Art in Situ
Floral/Nature
Designs By: Hamblin Couture
Outerwear/Party
Designs By: A Romantic Soul, Tatyana Design and XO by Kali
In Closing
Back of house, event management and runway choreography was organised by Vicoola Fashion Agency. Vicoola did a great job structuring some great models to walk on the night. The whole team did a good job sourcing great designers, with makeup and hair being well presented as well.
Models
@lilyrose.official
@lijalaceym
@aselorym
@lily.anne.wouters
@taylah_ss
@margiepty
@emily.ryanking
@millie.christiann
@adhieu_thonmayencham_
@mihosalvemini
@april.eeles
nicole_balbarais | ms.jordyn_michelle | anmol_moudgil | kevin_devender | ktavlas_ and kiid_koda
Photography and words by Aidan McCorry | Shot on Canon R5C and R6
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