Toowoomba Fashion Festival takes to the runway this weekend
Mark your calendars for March 16th as the Toowoomba Fashion Festival (TFF) makes its debut, with three big runways of emerging and established designers and boutiques.
Updated on 15 March 2024
Photography: Ben Scott
There’s a small person that lives in my head who communicates almost exclusively in The Devil Wears Prada quotes (meant harmlessly enough, I promise, but usually popping up at the most intrusive and sarcastic of times).
That iconic mid-2000’s, sharp and witty portrayal of the cutthroat fashion industry, full of stinging one liners, offering a peak behind the curtain/runway into a world of designers, couture, and the dazzling allure of the fashion world. It was a movie that taught us the word cerulean, that Paris Fashion week is the ‘be all and end all of fashion’ (sorry Milan), fashion’s ubiquitiousness, and more poingantly, reminding us of fashions rightful place as an artform and source of inspiration.
As Donatella Versace once said, "Fashion is about dreaming and making other people dream."
It’s perhaps why (for those who remember) there was a genuine sadness when in the late 2010’s the City Heart Fashion events came to a close, and why now, with the re-emergence of the city’s own fashion festival, such genuine excitment and buzz! Once again, Fashion is front and centre this Autumn as the Toowoomba Fashion Festival (TFF) takes the stage.
The inspiration of Christel Ryley (TFF Managing Director, and owner of Ryley Jewellery Creations) and Julz McBain (Creative director), The Toowoomba Fashion Festival is a celebration of local and national designers, creativity, and the spirit of community that defines Toowoomba.
For Ryley and McBain, their vision for TFF is clear: to shine a light on local talent and encourage a more community-focused approach to fashion.
Speaking with McBain, she explains: “We are both love fashion, community and creating a space for people to have a platform.”
“Prior to moving to Toowoomba in 2023, I was working in various roles within the fashion industry for over a decade, and was excited about bringing some of those same events and experiences to Toowoomba - Christel is exactly the same.”
“I’ve always been incredibly passionate about fashion, but also about supporting emerging artists and small business and the fashion scene more broadly”, Christel continues.
“We wanted to create a platform for the Toowoomba fashion scene and local designers and artists to develop and grow and be seen”, she affirms.
“On the day, there are three big runway shows, featuring emerging designers, the latest in ready-to-wear fashion trends and sophisticated "After 5" pieces, designed to wow”, they explain.
“TFF aims to offer a platform for both local and national designers to showcase their bold and unique creations across a day of captivating runway shows”.
As the first Toowoomba Fashion Festival prepares to open its doors, it holds the potential to be significant event for the region, with both Ryley and McBain excited by the prospect of supporting the local fashion industry and fostering a sense of pride in Toowoomba's creative talents.
The Toowoomba Fashion Festival may not claim to be the next Paris (yet), but it certainly stands as a heartfelt celebration of regional fashion and community spirit, and a step towards a more inclusive and community-oriented fashion landscape.
The Toowoomba Fashion Festival is on March 16 at The Empire Theatre: Armitage Centre. To find out more or to buy tickets, click here.
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