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Fashion Week Review: The Innovators

The Innovators
Leroy Nguyen, Elissa McGowan, Paul Scott, Ying Yuan, Vinh Nguyen, Inder Dhillon
April 11 at Carriageworks 

This particular runway celebrates some of the best upcoming talent in fashion by drawing out six young designers and giving them a debut collective runway experience at MBFWA. This show has seen the likes of Emma Mulholland grace the runway with her stunning ‘90s Mambo inspired collection in 2011 (who appears in her own solo show this year, and has had her threads worn by the likes of Kanye West), and in 2012 a great show from Kayleen Milner (who subsequently was snapped up by Diane Von Furstenburg for a once-in-a-lifetime internship). 

This year was no different, with six unique designers each delivering a personal perspective on the upcoming 2013/14 season - however I did find a couple of collections a little lacklustre compared to other years. Even Susie Bubble, sitting right across from me, yawned a couple of times as her camera snapped less frequently through some of the more monotonous middle sections.

One stand out however was Leroy Nguyen, who opened this year's show with a sophisticated take on sheer with acid colour blocking layers and several stunning custom prints - aptly titled 'The Candy Shop'. The combination of blue, pink and sheer white was positively delicious.

Next up was Elissa McGowan who took a painterly approach to layering colours on sheer white that resembled an artist's pallet of subtle blues and greys. For me, the sheer was too sheer (read: hello buttcheeks), and the draw-on painting as inspiration was a little literal.

A very cool menswear collection followed from Paul Scott. He took inspiration from 'Gangs of New York' and perfectly delivered super-cool street cred and with a 'derelict' lean - it made more sense when Scott himself came out at the end, heavily bearded and exuding tattoo parlour cool.

Ying Yuan and Vinh Nguyen's collections glided by in a flurry of sequin pink beanies (better than they sound) and some previously seen fashion architecture. A unique take on ethnic exoticism came from closer Inder Dhillon, but needed to be explored further.

All in all, I just want to know: Where do I buy Leroy Nguyen's collection? I just can't get it out of my head.

Bianca O'Neill blogs over at alphabetpony.com.au

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