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

@kiarne__

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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無我夢中 | Mugamuchu Collection 2025

Recently I had the chance to work with Melbourne fashion designer Misato Yukimoto on photographing two pieces from her current collection. We where shooting these pieces at Spectrum Haus Studios located in Moorabin, working with Melbourne based fashion model: Kristen Bianca Brand.

I met Misato at the recent Melbourne Fashion Hub designer pop-up event back in March 2025, where she had her collection on display for the two-day event. Misato is the founder and creative director of the label that bears her name.

During our conversation, I engaged in a discussion with her regarding her approach to the industry and how she integrates this approach into the designs and couture that she creates. 

Thoughtfulness is at the forefront of her label. Everything has either a purpose or a story behind it. Fabrics have more than just the task of looking good, but to feel good and, as ethically as possible, approach the fashion industry with a slower, more meaningful approach. 

“無我夢中” or (mugamuchu) Loosely translate to ‘Selfless Immersion’ or entering a state of focus without the distractions of life or oneself. Engaging fully with the event or exercise in front of you, either in a physical or mental, thoughtful state of mind and body. Lost in the moment is a simple terminology that comes to my mind. 

“an unforgettable exploration of a dream state, an introspective journey toward a single destination. Each piece represents a moment on this path, where one becomes absorbed in an internal world, defined by stillness and a quiet yet powerful focus” Misato Yukimoto 

Misato incorporates Japanese influences and blends them into western culture, creating a clean design that can be built upon by the person that wears it. Helping with the individual’s personal expression rather than being its own bold fashion statement. Allowing each piece to be styled and worn for many years to come.

Sustainability 

Both designs titled “Origami Jacket and Shorts” and “Trench Coat Dress” are crafted entirely from sustainably sourced fabrics. The brown fabric used for the pockets and collar, have been dyed with used coffee beans sourced from her home country of Japan. 

Every piece has been created and made by Misato’s hand herself, its a process that requires a tremendous amount of work but something she wants to show through her storytelling and garments she makes.

She believes that in a small way we all can revitalise the fashion industry for the better, creating a better practice that can sustain itself long term. But by no means is her approach a departure from the joys of the industry, her first experience in fashion was backstage at a Tokyo fashion runway in 2013 and it was a event that had a huge impact on her life and sparking her passion and journey into the industry. 

Her approach is preserving the enchantment and excitement of fashion while simultaneously enabling expression to be conveyed in a more grounded light. 

You can follow her Instagram account to gain further insights into her sustainable approach. Her stories provide a valuable way to stay updated on her weekly process, including the time and effort invested in each piece. 

The Photoshoot 

Working with Kristen and Misato on this collection of images was defiantly one of the highlight shoots of this year. I really wanted to incorporate a soft warm and inviting look to coincide with the vibe of the designs worn by Kristen. 

To our advantage, the studio we used was already fitted out with the look and vibe I was after, and after discovering the location online, I knew it was exactly what I was looking for! I have to give a shoutout to the owner, Lauren Schulz. Her styling and layout of the space made it the perfect studio. 

Also, Kristen’s performance as the model for the day was exceptional! Her participation and contributions to the shoot and ideas significantly helped to the overall success of the project. 

Closing 

After 2-3 hours of clicking away photographs, we then came to the end of our time slot at the studio. Its bittersweet a lot of the time due to hours going so quickly and there still be so much more you want to explore.

I really could not be happier with how the images turned out. Working with a good team is paramount for a successful fashion shoot and there is no more proof needed than the images themselves. Id like to give a big thank you to everyone involved for there input 

I also hope you enjoyed reading this article. It takes a bit of time to write these blogs and condense down my ideas and thoughts into a few paragraphs. Especially if I’m pairing it with photos (which I always do anyway :))

But only photographing fashion and not at least saying a few words about it defeats the whole purpose of fashion photography. There meant to be talking points and I hope saying a few words online starts those conversations.  

Thank you.

– Words & Photography by Aidan McCorry 

– Fashion by Misato Yukimoto

– Modelling by Kristen Bianca Brand 

– Spectrum Haus Studio

– Canon Cameras 

– Godox Lighting 

The post Fashion Insights: Studio Shoot with Designer Misato Yukimoto appeared first on CHROMATIC TIMES | Photography By Aidan McCorry.

Before we start, I must acknowledge the amazing carpet and lighting design that graced this runway event. The vibrant colours and boldness of the design elevated the show to a remarkable level, setting it apart from others.

Colour and design are integral to First Nations culture, and this was evident at the Melbourne Fashion Festival. I was fortunate enough to attend and witness this firsthand. The diverse range of styles showcased and the inclusivity of the event made it a truly remarkable experience.

The runway started off with a vocal performance from Jada Weazel kicking off the beginning of the show. Different from most performances in the past, Jada entered the runway from the media pit side, adding to the atmosphere as she slowly made her way to the middle rows of the runway.

The lighting was a mixture of beautiful red tones and hues, with an amazing performance from Jada Weasel. Im a little disappointed I didn’t capture a video to give the full representation. But there is always next time!

Corin Corcoran

First onto the runway was designer:

Corin Corcoran 

With a collection of works incorporating leather textiles, fabrics and metals. Corin’s designs where a modern take on more traditional techniques of cloth making, with large hand stitched seems, open tears, excess fabric and unique patterns, different from the neatly stitched and clean looks from other designers. 

I particularly like the two designs worn by both models: Hana Schlesinger (Left) and Ina Anackov. (Right)

With the feathers being quite a nice contrast with the white ripped pants. Giving almost a futuristic nomadic vibe.

Corin specifically uses recycled and scrap materials in all her design showcased on the night, every piece of fabric and textile shown has either been up-cycled or recycled showcasing the sustainability of her designs. 

Take Pride Movement

Next on the purple carpet was:

Take Pride Movement

A label created by Benjamin Thomson. The showcase had a upfront, loud and bold presence with the designs and colour choice. This runway show speaks not only for the person behind the designs but also the message his trying to send. To be proud of who you are and let nothing stand in your way

I quite liked the styling and the collection as a whole. The throwback vibes of turn of the century fashion mixed with new and unique first nation design, gave it a fresh street style look. 

Yapa Mali

Yapa Mali was the third designer to exhibit at the MFF runway.

Greens, browns and yellows were the colour themes on the night, mixing traditional Ngiyampaa patterns on fabrics and giving them a casual look. Something for everyday wearing.

This collection included a lot of light fabrics and airy designs, more so for warmer climates or for the spring or summer seasons. All designs are made with 100% linen giving them a soft but durable shimmer. I quite liked the look of male shirts and they would make a great look for evening outdoor events. 

Miimi & Jiinda 

Fourth Designer:

Miimi and Jiinda 

Model: Portia Jade Talib lead the start of the showcase in a very summery girl dress. The actual design of the skirt was nice, I liked the use of the uneven cut at the bottom which made the front a little shorter than the back. Plus a ruffle at the bottom of a dress is always a good idea to add movement, which is also a lot better to photograph. 

The daughter and mom designer duo certainly had some great looks for the showing. Melissa being the fashion designer with her mom Lauren designing the hand woven aspects of the outfits. 

As a whole the collection had pretty much every aspect of fashion design, from swimwear, evening wear and a beautiful puffy sleeve dress, which was the final outfit of the collection, the long train at the back made the outfit my favourite from the label. 

Gali Swimwear 

Now not to be critical, In fact to be absolutely honest. There is not a great deal to talk about with this collection due to the fact that the amount of fabric used for this collection would’ve amounted to one dress from a previous designer :).

I thought the patterns were nice, they are at the end of the day colourful male swim briefs. Well done to the models for keeping themselves looking very sharp. The ladies of the audience quite enjoyed the event! 

Banbu 

Now as I said in my last post, this years fashion festival included me capturing some videos. Banbu’s colourful and vibrant collection included loosely hanging fabrics for evening dresses, ruffled bottoms and tops, all in a very two tone and shinny presentation, lets not forget the unique doily styled dress at the opening of the showcase too. 

Josh Dean

Josh Dean

showed his latest collection the mixture of pop culture and street art with his bold use of colours and print. 

From a fashion standpoint, you’d be hard-pressed to miss one of these outfits on the street and they definitely make an impression.

One of the outfits included a artistic drawn fire design like something you would see from an old school 50s hot rod. If you look closely enough you will see cockatoos and barbwire included too.

Delvene Cockatoo-Collins

Delvene Cockatoo-Collins Queensland based designs made it way onto the runway with very deep, dark tones. (Model: Ben Hebbard)

Giving a very moody vibe for the second last designer at the Melbourne Fashion Festival’s Back in Blak Premium Runway Event.

One of the unique things about this collection was the use of Duster like jackets. The one worn by Model: Ben Hebbard, a black-and-white bird print outfit looked great, the contrast between the black coat and the cream one piece romper suit look awesome. Now I’m no Bird expert but from what I can see it’s either a Darter or a Black necked Stork. Correct me if im wrong! 

Another unique item was a one off black tutu dress, combined with a brown gold printed top and fibrous natural earrings

Lychee Alkira 

Last but certainly not least we have NSW designer Renee Henderson with her label Lychee Alkira.

Last but certainly not least we have NSW designer Renee Henderson with her label Lychee Alkira.

A recent graduate, Renee showcased her latest collection ‘Pathways’ with bright colours and prints. All her work is natural fibres and dye, with her prints being environmentally conscious in its process.

The first piece featured a vibrant red and white floral print party dress, subsequently transitioning to a bathing suit adorned with an oversized pocket vest, both looking to be crafted from the same material.

Bathing suits seemed to have had a theme at this runway event with more than three designers showing there latest swimwear designs.

One of the pieces I found I liked the most from the collection, was a grey and white skirt worn by Model: Ina Anackov.

The pattern and print work of the skirt was beautiful and you could see it suiting a lot of different styles, from formal gatherings to street style

Good vibes were definitely the theme for this runway finishing her collection off with another party dress. 

To Wrap Things Up:

Without a doubt, Melbourne fashion festivals Back In Blak premium runway was an absolute blast to photograph, the crowds enjoyed it. The musical performance was exceptional, and the atmosphere was electric as the event commenced. Having missed last year’s event, I approached the runway with an open mind, eager to witness the offerings. I must express a round of applause for the designers, as I was thoroughly impressed. This year’s event undoubtedly helps create Back In Blak to become a highly anticipated fixture in the Melbourne fashion festival calendar.

Shot on Canon R5C 

Lens: Canon RF 70-200mm F/4

Location: Royal Exhibition Building Melbourne

Words and Photographs by: Aidan McCorry

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The post Black In Blak: Melbourne Fashion Festival 2025 appeared first on CHROMATIC TIMES | Photography By Aidan McCorry.

(enter readers view for full screen images*)

Few fashion events in Melbourne come to the scale of Melbourne Fashion Festival. Although the year boasts several prestigious events, it somewhat lacks the remarkable diversity and size of the Melbourne Fashion Festival.

This year in particular had 15 consecutive days of fashion events ranging from student showcases to talks and meeting on the fashion industry of Australia. But today we are going to be discussing the first day of the Premium Runways held at the grandest of venues,The Royal Exhibition Building. 

These runways generally hallmark the final week of the festival and will usually create the largest buzz, Building the hype and excitement throughout the final 6 days, towards the closing of the festival on the Saturday. 

Being the opening event, the vibe in the main hall of the exhibition building was electric, it really felt like the whole city had turned out for the show. Myself, standing in the photographers pit, I had the unique opportunity and perspective to soak in the whole atmosphere. Nothing compares to the adrenaline rush you get pre-runway, its a feeling like no other and one of the reasons why I will always enjoy covering these events! 

GAIL SORRONDA

We started the night with the first designer Gail Sorronda kickstarting the runway. With Signer (Sarah Blasko) performing with the opening collection.

The collection featured pieces such as the Night Garden Cap and fairy bird dress.

A conservative, bold and dynamic collection of outfits that complimented the opening of the event. By this stage you could feel the energy in both the runway models and the onlookers with the first designer pieces gracing the timber floors of the catwalk.

BIANA SPENDERS

Next, was Bianca Spenders Autumn 25 collection. With whites and blues as the colours of choice for the runway, in harmony with the designs shown.

I will admit the muted green tones from the wool collection were very nice and a nod to a more classic era of design and materials. The wool also caught the light in a different way compared to anything else on the night, something about the thickness of the material and the slight sheen you get from it gave it a beautiful look under the runway light.  

NGALI AUSTRALIA

The third designer was a bright and stylish collection by Ngali Australia.

This show was a particular favourite of mine on the night. The use of colours and lighting just married perfectly for some great images. The vintage tones and colour palette made for some striking looks too.

I liked the use of browns, greens, yellows and blues, all tying in together. I do think its great for a designer to embrace bold colours. It’s designs like this that make for a brighter and more colourful, unique world.  

AJE.

Fourth onto the runway was Aje. A Melbourne-based label known for its edgy and diverse styling.

The collection showcased a remarkable variety of styles. Everything from fitted one piece dresses to denim. There was even a large floral pattern designed dress! Definitely one of the more broader based showings on the night. Which in a lot of cases is a good thing, especially for attracting people who may not be familiar with your label or designs. 

MACGRAW

The Macgraw sisters (Macgraw) with there prep school 2024 collection was next on the wood paneling.

The sleek and stylish designs where quite striking, something that would catch peoples attention if worn in a street style manner. Macgraw’s collection featured an array of shiny, in-house-produced fabrics, adding a sleek and eye-catching element to the designs. The label has been going since 2012 which marks there 13th year. The last outfit (black and crystal dress) looked amazing, flowed really nicely and great to photograph too.  

All in all it was shiny, moody, some aspects of gospel inspiration in there as well,

and above all else, very cool. BTW I thought the last dress was just stunning :0

Now for this years Melbourne Fashion Festival. I wanted to try some new ways of capturing the events and runways. One of them was to start doing videos to post alongside my usually fashion photography. It’s been on my mind for a while not to incorporate some videos to my coverage at fashion events. Mainly because I find video to be a important factor in capturing a deeper understanding of a larger runway event, such as the MFF. 

VIKTORIA AND WOODS

My first shot was Viktoria and Woods Runway

My favourite outfit from the collection was definitely the deep red trench coat, spectacular colour! 

MANNING CARTELL

Manning Cartell was the next. Celebrating 20 years of design with there: Love. Flowers. Dance. collection. The flowing silk and satin evening dresses were the highlight of the collection.

The floral dress had a nice balance of colour, although the pattern not lining up was interesting, whether or not the look was intentional or not I don’t know, but interesting to see a bold look. We also had a Netflix star on the runway. Kylah Day from the streaming tv show: Territory. Making a grand appearance (and doing an excellent job of it, too) on the runway as well. 

ROMANCE WAS BORN

Last on the runway was the amazing collection by Romance Was Born.

The colour and beauty of this show was simply breathtaking. As a fashion photographer, having a runway show with big colourful outfits gives so much movement and life to the images.

The large white and heart shaped polkadot dress looked stunning and was my favourite on the night. The event was a fitting way to end the first runway of the Melbourne Fashion Festival and kickstart the week of premium runways. 

Models

TBC

Shot on Canon R5C 

Lens: Canon RF 70-200mm F/4

Location: Royal Exhibition Building Melbourne

Words and Photographs by: Aidan McCorry

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