L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival

This year I was lucky enough to be chosen to be a volunteer at LMFF. This year around 900 applicants applied and only 400 were selected. This year LMFF was during the 18-24th of March. We were given  a volunteer briefing and then given shifts for fittings, collections, front of house or back of house. I was given four shifts at back of house however uni interfered with two of the shifts so unfortunately I could only do two days. But having said that I learnt so much in two days, I worked Saturday and Sunday back of house which was 10AM to 11PM.
We first rehearse for the second show and then the first show because then we don't have to move racks around too much and makes it much more efficient. Rehearsal consisted of doing a run run through of the show and dressing all models in looks. Before and after rehearsals we got to be consulted one-on-one with the head dresser if we had any queries or problems with the looks. We got at least three breaks   which were more than 30 minute breaks, this allowed us to get to know other volunteers and make new friends.

On Saturday I dressed for the Sportsgirl National Graduate Showcase which presents 12 fashion graduates in celebration of emerging Australian design talent. It was amazing to see how talented these graduates are, my favourite was Natasha Fagg and Kathleen Cho. Many of the outfits were very complicated and sophisticated but once on it was amazing. I was lucky enough to dress Gabby who is the face of LMFF, who is a rising model with new campaigns for Zimmerman and has been featured in Harper's Bazaar magazine.

Here are some pictures that I took backstage:

Here are some of my favourite pieces from the show by Natasha Fagg:

The second show was the Red Carpet Runway presented by Harper's Bazaar Brides. Featured designers were Amira Isogwa, Aurelio Costarellq, Collette Dinnigan, Gwendolynne, Rachel Gilbert and Toni Maticevski. All the bridal gowns were very elegant and unique. I dressed a beautiful model called Alice who was super nice! Unfortunately we weren't allowed to take phones out or pictures for the bridal show, so I don't have personal pictures.
I will post Sunday's shows on a separate post as it will be too long if i were to include it with this post.
This was Alice's looks (the model I dressed):

Rachel Gilbert 

Collette Dinnigan

My favourite gowns:

Rachel Gilbert

Collette Dinnigan

Collette Dinnigan

Maticevski

Maticevski

Rachel Gilbert

Rachel Gilbert

Rachel Gilbert

Finally, the highlight of the show was the final gown by Maticevski which apparently has the longest train in the world. During rehearsals all volunteers had to help roll the train up because it was so long, during the finale the male models carried it out. The finale was perfect I loved the music, set up and of course the gown teamed with very expensive jewellery.

STAY TUNED FOR POST ABOUT SUNDAY'S SHOWS
xx Connie