Adelaide Fashion Festival

Insider Tips To Surviving Adelaide Fashion Festival

So isn’t it just for fashion bloggers and local ‘it’ people? Not at all! Adelaide Fashion Festival really is for everyone. You don’t have to have a professionally styled Instagram account to come and enjoy.

So you’ve heard the word about Adelaide Fashion Festival. You’ve read about the fashionistas and heard all the hot websites (wink wink, nudge nudge) talking about their favourite events. But what does AFF17 mean for you?

After a shift from Norwood into the city centre a few years ago, the Adelaide Fashion Festival is on the move again and this year’s event will take place at the Torrens Parade Ground.  This new hub will be the focal point of the Festival action from Thursday to Sunday, with bars, food and plenty going on. Even if you’re not a fashion die-hard, this is a destination to visit and soak up the atmosphere of our beautiful city.

Isn’t it just for fashion bloggers and local ‘it’ people? Not at all! Adelaide Fashion Festival really is for everyone. You don’t have to have a professionally styled Instagram account to come and enjoy. If you’ve never been to a runway show before, this is your perfect opportunity. Even if you’re just on the lookout for the upcoming season’s trends, forget buying Cosmo and get in on the real action instead.

To make the process even easier for you, here at Glam we’ve come up with the insider tips that will help you effortlessly enjoy all things AFF. Check the lowdown on what’s on each day, make sure you get the best seats in the house, take the best pictures and maybe even see your face in all the social pages…

Image by: Meaghan Coles

Image by: Meaghan Coles

Front Row Seating – Those in the know sit front row. Or at least always try to. Sitting front row obviously gives you the best vantage point to see all the models strutting down the runway, but it also means great photos! Want to be there, then rush to the Adelaide Fashion Festival website. Although there are VIP/media allocated spots, there are still seats at this year’s AFF shows in the front row or damned close to. Don’t just roll in two minutes before the lights drop and expect to get good seats. Be prepared and plan ahead, plus then you’ve got time to visit the bar too! Win win really.

Snaparazzi – Getting to an event early on time is a must. The media and bloggers arrive ahead of time to get their perfect picture snapped on the media wall. Rock up late and you will miss out on all the media wall action and your chance to get spotted in the social pages.

Wear Local Designers – This is what AFF is all about. Showing our love for the local talent. It doesn’t matter if it’s not current season. What is important is that you’re supporting the industry. You are way more likely to make friends and get noticed by wearing an outfit made locally. Plus those behind the camera know the designs too, and your support makes you more likely to make the ‘best dressed’ lists, fashion pages and blogs. Check out our article on designers that manufacture locally here to get some ideas of where to start.

Hashtag Away – You might think showering your pics in hashtags is a little lame, but trust us, people are watching them. Event hashtags are usually carefully created to ensure those in the know can keep their eyes on what EVERYONE is posting. Use the hashtags that are going to get your photos found and shared by the AFF itself, the designers and fashion bloggers and media. Tag the official Adelaide Fashion Festival Account @adlfashionfest and use the official hashtag #AFF17. Don’t forget to tag @glamadelaide too if you’re looking for Glam to share your photos – #glamadelaide.

Kel AFF resize
Charge It Up –
It might seem like an obvious point to make, but it can happen so easily. You are in a rush, you leave the house and get to an event, only to realise that your phone has all of 2% charge. The worst. So, here is us telling you that before you head to any AFF events, make sure you go in with a fully charged phone. When you’re doing a combination of taking selfies, standing at the media wall, snapping runway pictures and uploading to every social media account imaginable it sucks up that battery percentage at a ridiculous rate. You might think 63% will last you, but with some of the fabulous styles on show you’ll be running low before the finale! Sometimes we even take back up battery chargers. One can never be too prepared.

Lights, Camera, Action – If you’re keen to get some great shots of new season looks, don’t sit where the large spotlights are pointing towards you. You might be illuminated but your photos won’t be. It will cast a shadow over the front of the approaching models and you’ll never be able to see the looks. Hot tip: Check where the photographers are sitting and try to snag a seat nearby, they always have the best seats in the house.

Lift Your Camera Game – If you’re truly into getting the perfect shot then consider getting yourself a good camera that wifi’s to your phone. Sometimes the old iPhone just can’t quite capture the moment. From general event pics to the first peek at runway looks, everything can be transferred straight to your phone. Which helps save on that phone battery we were talking about too!

Simmone Standing The Label at New York Fashion Week 2015

Plan Your Itinerary – They say failing to prepare is preparing to fail. And we don’t want any fails this AFF. Plan your days appropriately as there are a few clashes in the program. Make sure you’ve come to a solid decision before the day arrives. We also recommend planning your time out with friends, so no one misses out on their favourite event.

As if we couldn’t make it any easier for you, here’s a highlight reel of the AFF. We’ve stopped short of creating a printable check list for you. Come on guys, you can put pen to paper yourselves for that!

Wednesday

Masterclass with David Shah and Glynis Traill-Nash
Futurist, lecturer, designer, consultant and collaborator David Shah joins The Australian’s fashion editor Glynis Traill-Nash for an enthusiastic discussion on global fashion trends and style influences across all aspects of life.
Wednesday 11 October, 11am $50 at Art Gallery of South Australia

Colour Immersion Runway 
Tiff Manuell brings her magical world of colour to life on opening night in a celebration showcasing the artistic process and the power of collaboration.
Wednesday 11 October, 8:30pm From $50 at AFF Runway, Torrens Parade Ground

Adelaide Fashion Festival Official Launch
Excited for the Festival to kick off? Follow us on Instagram to be kept in the loop @glamadelaide. 

Thursday

BV X AFF: a morning talking fashion
Unfortunately, this event is sold out, but if you managed to snag tickets you’ll enjoy a casual morning in Burnside Village, talking fashion with leading Australian designer, Peter Alexander; Adelaide Fashion Festival’s Creative Director, Chris Kontos; and Monique Santos, brand manager for Scanlan and Theodore.
Thursday 12 October, 10am, Burnside Village

AFF Runway 2 – Couture Culture
Contemporary glamour takes over the runway in a display of delicate South Australian designs. The latest looks from Jaimie Sortino, Couture+Love+Madness, Eliza French, Greta Kate, Sylvy Earl, Varacalli Couture, Caleche and Studio Botanic. Accessories by Ashlee Lauren. Styled by Adelaide creative Mia Gambranis.
Thursday 12 October, 8pm $65 at AFF Runway, Torrens Parade Ground

Friday

The Mercedes-Benz Unley Long Lunch
See retail meet runway and explore the flair and flavour of Adelaide’s iconic fashion strip, King William Road. A fresh new look and exciting fashion moments feature throughout the day as you support Variety SA and enjoy the luxury of Adelaide’s favourite long lunch.
Friday 13 October, 12pm from $750 on King William Road, Unley

Friday Night Out at AFF: Runway 3 – BNKR & Runway 4 – David Jones Showcase
See on-trend looks from BNKR brands C/MEO Collective, Keepsake the Label, Finders, The Fifth Label and JAGGAR Footwear that capture their influence over the past decade. Then enjoy David Jones’ premium brands including Aje, By Johnny, Alice McCall, Rebecca Vallance, Bec + Bridge and more.
Friday 13 October, 7pm $100 at AFF Runway, Torrens Parade Ground

Saturday

Rural Runway
This event will take place at Seppeltsfield and includes two runways: the first showcasing new-season trends from Barossa boutiques, and the second highlights from AFF’s South Australian designer line-up. Guests will also enjoy a five-course degustation lunch and Seppeltsfield wines.
Saturday 14 October, 12pm $120 at Seppeltsfield Estate Winery, Vintage Cellar

Sunday

Fashion on Parade Presented by Norwood Place
While this event is sold out, those who nabbed tickets will discover locally made products in the market, enjoy the free runway show featuring local retailers or treat yourself to a VIP runway experience. Runway Affair begins from 12 Noon and includes runway-side seating, food, beverages and an exclusive gift.
Sunday 15 October, 11am – 4pm at The Parade, Norwood

AFF New Release Runway: Paolo Sebastian S/S 18 Couture
Be transported into an unparalleled realm of beauty as iconic label Paolo Sebastian launches its latest collection.
Sunday 15 October, 4pm From $85 AFF Runway at Torrens Parade Ground.

And after all that we imagine your wardrobes will be full and you’ll be all fashion-ed out for a while! We’ll be watching those hashtags guys! For more information head to the full Adelaide Fashion Festival 2017 website.

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