Local designers on show

Designer Kate Sylvester and designer/model Lazarus Gordon. (Ivan Kemp) 454936_05

Geelong will get its first look at the new works of its up and coming fashion designers this month when fashion show Creative Coast II comes to Novotel Geelong.

The event will feature over 10 Geelong, Bellarine and Surf Coast fashion brands and designers, supported by a small army of volunteer models, photographers and hair and makeup artists.

Revival Runway creative director Niki Bruce said the non-profit organisation focused on creating opportunities for small, emerging independent fashion brands and designers.

“Back in 2019 Revival Runway founder Sofie Carfi, who has a background in business, had a lot of friends in the fashion industry, women running small businesses,” she said.

“She saw they were having a hard time economically, even before COVID. Sofie’s idea was to put something on that would help all of these brands, that would just be fun to do and would support locals, support women’s businesses, support small businesses.

“The second component of Revival is about helping young fashion creatives. We try to give them a real-life experience, working with money, working with people, where they’re given the responsibility.”

Kate Sylvester is a local conceptual fashion designer with a background in fine arts and textiles.

Ms Sylvester said Revival Runway had been “so supportive” in the lead-up to Creative Coast, her first fashion show.

“Revival have been amazing; everything is catered for, the marketing is all being done. All I’ve had to do is focus on the creating,” she said.

“I think it’s such an awesome, awesome program.”

Creative Coast II is at Novotel Geelong on Sunday, February 23. Visit trybooking.com/events/landing/1336952 for tickets and more information.

Matt Hewson