‘Fashion Week’ is perhaps the most powerful phrase in the industry. It has the ability to reduce even the most poised of us into jitters of excitement. It’s essentially five to seven days of continuous fashion orgasms for those involved. Show after show, after-party after after-party, photo after… oh you get the idea: a lot of important shit goes down in a few days. At this year’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, which takes place in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, there was much to lead fashionistas to jitters of excitement. For me, it was Oroton’s, first ever ready-to-wear collection. Oroton is an Australia heritage accessory label that’s been around since 1938. At first hearing of this launch I was apprehensive. I couldn’t help but draw parallels to TV stars launching singing careers because of their breathtaking array of talent. Could such a well-established leather good and accessory brand really make the leap from accoutrement to apparel? Most importantly, could they do it without destroying their stellar reputation?
