The world of fashion parades in Bunbury

The highly-anticipated South West Fashion Festival will kick off tonight, unleashing the region’s wealth of talent onto the catwalk.

Back for a third year, the launch at the World Kitchen will give 12 South West designers, two head wear designers, the Bunbury Felters Group and Perth’s Betty Tran the chance to showcase their latest creations.

Festival program director Jo Clark said this year’s theme for the three-day event was “Australian Deconstructed Wasteland, with Starshine”, chosen to complement the amazing array of fashion.

Ms Clark said the variety of fashion on show would make for a colourful, chic and entertaining weekend.

“The parades will be shown alongside pieces of amazing rusted sculpture by local artist, Greg Gelmi and fashion illustrations by Judi McGuigan,” she said.

Designers this year include Assirak, Unsunk Funk, Xanthe, Glytch, Gabrielle Maree, Shelley Barton Designs, Femme, just to name a few.

The Bunbury Felters Group’s dramatic Art to Wear collection is based on natural dyes, rust and deconstruction.

Students from the South West Institute of Technology will also be showing en masse for the first time.

There will be vintage couture parades and talks, with Charlotte Smith of the Darnell Collection, who will bring some of her prized garments including Chanel, Vivienne Westwood and Christian Dior.

For tickets go to www.swfashionfestival.com.