RAFW 2011: Lisa Ho S/S 11

Rosemount Australian Fashion Week (RAFW) is the largest fashion event in Australia, putting the spotlight on both established and upcoming Australian and international designers. I have been keeping a keen eye on the catwalk, and have put together a collection of my favourite shows, designers and the trends soon to hit the streets.

Firstly, the lovely Lisa Ho. Lisa is an iconic Australian designer, renowned for her drapery and detail. Her pieces are a modern concept of past eras, with an emphasis on the feminine silhouette and girly touches.

Her RAFW S/S 11 collection, titled "Mediterranean Romance" is the perfect blend of resort-style and structured tailoring. The colour palette for this collection is clearly inspired by the colours of the Mediterranean: bougainvilleas and wisterias are epitomised through the pinks and lilacs; blues and creams are reminiscent of the white-sand beaches; and the prints evoke imagery of the sun glistening on the ocean. The collection is also influenced by the 70s era, with wide-leg pants and flowing blouses being prominent, and of course the iconic beehive hairstyle, paired with natural make up.

This coral and peach suit combined sharp, tailored lines with colours that scream summer holiday.
 

I love how these similar shades are paired together here, but a contrasted with colourful statement necklace, which takes the corporate vibe and adds a relaxation vibe.
 

The models have been styled with this textured, slightly messy beehive, while the make up is minimalistic, consisting of luminescent skin, glossy nude lips, barely there eyes, illuminated cheeks and bold, natural brows.

These pattern on these pants reminds me of the speckled effect of water reflecting onto the site of a boat. They are modern and bright, but paired with this structured beige and camel jacket, it adds a bit of dressiness to the look.

The draping on this beautiful pink dress literally took my breath away. It evokes imagery of a Greek goddess wandering the old streets of Santorini, with a bougainvillea in her hair. Divine.

I adore this gorgeous patterned skirt, paired with a structured blouse and a bright statement necklace. So chic. So summery.
 

The colour. The drapery. The Mediterranean Sea.

I adore this all-white-but-not-quite combination, where the structured but still summery ivory shorts and jacket are punctuated with a crisp white shirt.

Resort-style 70s, with a statement necklace that looks like sea shells picked off the shore.

Again, such beautiful drapery. So comfortable, feminine and chic -- what every woman wants in a summer gown.

* All images from Fashionising.com.