SUIT UP RUNWAY WRAP UP
12 March 2024 | Words by Hannah Schmidt-Rees
The Suit Up Runway is never a disappointment. Showcasing both classic and innovative designers, the runway shows where the suit has come from, where it is and where it’s going. Whether you're looking to add one-of-a-kind pieces or reinvent your current wardrobe with a versatile addition, this is the best place to look. This is the forefront of Australia's suiting.
REIGNER
Reigner brings a striking edge to the runway. With brightly coloured suits, ranging from muted pastels to bright primaries, each piece is designed to be dressed up, dressed down, integrated with a current wardrobe or left to shine on its own.
Emboldened with intricate embroidery and crystal details, Reigner's suits are for the pursuit of pleasure, creating comfort outside of your comfort zone. Visual inspirations are limitless; baroque and rococo motifs mix pastel pinks and rich golds, contrast stitching imbues western styles with a minimalist twist and bold colours intertwine to reflect the natural landscape of the Californian desert. The breadth of designer James Noble's inspirations creates a collection that can easily be tailored to each individual's personal style, keeping its bright brand identity while creating pieces that are mean to be worn by anyone, at any time, anywhere.
Oversized collars and high waisted trousers with a subtle flare evoke an understated 70s feeling, structured shoulders and slim waists referencing the mixing between masculine and feminine features. Using fabric from Australian mills or dead stock from luxury brands, each Reigner piece ensures longevity and quality, supporting local industries and preventing the unnecessary waste of unused fabrics.
SILK LAUNDRY
Silk Laundry brings an intimate connection between the garment and the wearer. Charmeuse silk in striking colours; muted lime and rich navy; use their oversized silhouettes to effortlessly drape off the wearer and create art in motion. Combining silk's natural shine with bold tones creates a garment that speaks for itself, each inch lavishing in light and movement. Silk pieces can be styled together, layered together or worn separately, worn in rotation and designed for all seasons and to last.
Designer Katie Kolodinski reinvents the suiting norm, blending relaxed silhouettes with innovative takes on shirting. Worn backwards or off the shoulder, each piece can be tailored to each occasion, complimenting established wardrobes or inspiring innovation. For the times to be bold, subtle, classic, experimental and everything in between.
For a more structured look, crisp cotton is softened with a black and white daisy print, adding texture and intrigue to a classic matching waistcoat and trouser set.
TOMBA
Tomba has the classic style covered. Taking inspiration from traditional Italian style, Tomba has a light hearted perspective on suiting. Combining casual and black tie, soft knitwear wraps around bow-tied shirting, layering textures and providing adaptability for any occasion.
Nautical inspired t-shirt provide the foundation, hiding underneath relaxed blazers and matching trench coats for an added utilitarian feel. Navy velvet blazer paired with a subtle plaid trouser creates a rich yet subtle take on the monochromatic trend, creating ways to add versatility to your wardrobe, without compromising on visual intrigue.
Tomba's suit are versatile, to be loved, enjoyed and worn to death. Features that typically belong to formal looks are integrated with casual features, perfect for a capsule wardrobe. Each piece is made to measure and tailored excellently, designed to adapt to you and whatever you do.
CHRIS RAN LIN
Chris Ran Lin provides a highly experimental take on knitwear. Reinventing wool and traditional techniques, Chris Ran Lin pushes the possible to the impossible, renewing traditional techniques and pushing them to their limits.
Honeycomb motifs emboldened in black and bright colour schemes bring a streetwear edge to traditional menswear. Utilising both subtle and bright colour palettes, ranging from grey, blue and black to a clash of black and neon green.
In other looks, precise details are exaggerated. Contrast stitching is blown up, turning into a statement rather than an unseen characteristic. Used to connect pieces of the garment, the untied strings invoke movement, deconstructing the outfit and putting a focus on the technique and construction. Plush knitwear is paired with sleek yet striking puffer garments and accessories, adding visual intrigue and technical expertise, further adding to the streetwear influence.
Dressed up or down, Chris Ran Lin's garments are highly experimental and versatile, bringing a focus on texture and technique to your wardrobe.
PAR MOI
Designed and created in Melbourne by designer Ashiya Omundsen, Par Moi encapsulates sleek yet playful womenswear. Made to order from dead stock and surplus fabrics, no fabric is needlessly wasted and each garment is produced in limited quantities to create truly one of a kind pieces.
Traditional suiting fabrics are combined with playful feminine touches. A sleek a-line mini skirt is paired with a singlet adorned in 250 pink satin bows, all hand sewn to cover every inch of the garment. Not to forget the matching bag, with 150 bows of its own. Velvet polka dot viscose fabric are turned into flowing singlet dresses and matching sets, combining a sleek and minimalist feeling with whimsy, as the fabric sways with every step.
Dressed down with sleek accessories and minimal makeup, each garment holds it own weight, using either fabrication, silhouette, texture or colour to garner attention. It's understated yet clear, feminine yet powerful.
DOM BAGNATO
Celebrating 40 years at the Suit Up Runway, Dom Bagnato exudes distinction and sophistication. Dom Bagnato takes classic silhouettes and reinvents them with on-trend yet nostalgic materials.
Based on retrospection, each major suiting trend from the past four decades is featured in this collection. Keeping the traditional masculine silhouette, focused on structured shoulders and clean lines, muted velvets and marled knitwear add a soft and vintage influence. Malleable leather revitalises the typical structure of suiting, without compromising on visual strength. Crisp cotton is mixed with the warmth of pin wale corduroy, the perfect blend of classic and contemporary tailoring.
Layering the three piece suit with accessories and outwear, Dom Bagnato creates a cohesive story with every outfit, full of pieces that can be styled on their own or worn together, integrating into a sustainable and capsule wardrobe.
MJ BALE
As Australia's first carbon-neutral menswear brand, MJ Bale prides itself on it sustainability without compromising on quality and style. Utilising mills, tailoring expertise and wool farms from Italy, Japan and Australia, local expertise is supported throughout generations and traditional techniques are kept alive.
Light denim chambre suiting is perfect for the warm Australian climate, ensuring comfort without settling on design. Linen blazers are paired with wool blend trousers, creating adaptability and versatility in a capsule wardrobe. Bright sweaters and t-shirts are layered underneath muted blazers, providing opportunity to dress your suit towards your personal style.
Styled with Converse, each look is casual yet refined, perfect for those occasions that still require an edge of formality. MJ Bale creates garments with integrity, a simple integration into your current wardrobe with no compromises.
GODWIN CHARLI
Made to measure and created in Melbourne, Godwin Charli prides itself on only the best fabric and fit. Presenting both menswear and womenswear, each silhouette perfectly fits different physiques, eventuating and flattering from every angle.
Designed to be versatile from the 9 to 5 to the 5 to 9, each piece can be embellished with accessories or left to speak for itself. Double breasted suit dresses with sleek peak lapels brings a strong edginess to the collection, showcasing powerful feminine suiting. Light cotton blend sets are enveloped in plush wool blend trench coats, worn on the shoulders to give a subtle drape.
Slight pinstripe and plaid patterns, as well as textured linens attract the eye to look closer. Whilst Godwin Charli's designs are classic, their fabrications from high quality materials provide a contemporary twist. Wear it out, wear it to work and feel perfectly tailored anywhere, anytime.
So what are you waiting for? Suit up in the way that makes you feel most distinct. Shop the runway here.
