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L'oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival

The L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival kicked off on an unseasonally warm autumn afternoon on the lawn at Government House. While guests were decked out in their autumn/winter finery, it was a matter of chasing the shade (and the champagne waiters) to escape the fierce sun. Outgoing festival director Karen Webster had the right idea with a huge sun umbrella - to accessorise her uber-ruffled Aurelio Costarella dress. If you're making an exit, it's best to do it in impeccable style. When proceedings moved indoors for the official presentation - complete with pipers and trumpets and everything - the heat stayed high but at least there were lots of pretty things to look at. Harper's Bazaar presented their version of Wonderland, a "live action" version of their Disney-inspired fashion shoot in the current April issue. And while there were no dugongs or dalmatians (best to check out the mag on those ones) there were one-off gowns from the likes of Willow, Collette Dinnigan, Tina Kalivas and young man of the moment, Dion Lee. What was also missing were any Melbourne designers. Oops. Melbourne media was over that one like a rash.

Dion had the honour of winning the LMFF Designer Award which is presented by Woolmark and sponsored by Vogue. At 24 with only 4 collections in his stable he won against a strong field of finalists including Therese Rawsthorne, Lui Hon and Gail Sorronda. His designs frequently demonstrate how new wool is the perfect fibre for his precision tailoring. His prize which includes a trip to either the Pitti Filati or Premiere Vision can only strengthen his vision.