By all accounts this year's Carnivale Nocturna was a great success. The designers presented an array of quality and creative designs that were immediately acknowledged and admired by the audience. The models were exquisite. The visually erotic and intoxicating sensuality present in so many outfits was driven by innovative and challenging design. The Carnivale clearly stamped this city's ability to provide and promote an alternative fashion scene.

The Sunday follow up event was   a great opportunity to meet the designers and mix with some of the other stall operators. As part of the AroundMe TV activities i was fortunate to talk with a couple  of extremely creative Couturier. Carly Van Groeningen  (Lyris ) and Lowana O'Shea (Vanyani's)

Carly a custom couturier of fine clothing and corsetry displayed some of her stunning designs at the event. Cleverly ensuring  her garments'  quality and detail were well represented she chose a group of stylish and attractive young models to convey her achievements. (http://www.lyrisdesign.com/)

Lowana was there to impress and she certainty made her mark. Her magnificent designs highlight the creative possibilities  achievable when you couple skill with artistic intent. (http://www.vanyanis.net/)

 A great addition to the carnivale was the Russian designer Kate Musina. Her designs were a standout.Recently moving to Melbourne from Russia this designer is certainly worth pursing. Her label PURPUR already established in Moscow, is destined to attract interest locally. ( http://www.purpurfashion.com/)

The tailoring and precision of her garments, evoked  images of calculated military restraint whilst exuding style and modernity.

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It seemed logical  at an alternative fashion event , the  notion of what is, or makes a fashion model be considered. Talking with Samantha Shields Director of The Alternative Modelling Agency,  attitudes and perceptions are changing. Whilst there will always be a need for the stereotype snapshot, the community is realising there is much more to its human fabric than what is being represented. Samantha's agency provides an alternative. Fresh, genuine and attractive models that challenge conventional  description.

It seems that her approach has merit, I recent Nandos  campaign features two models from the Alternative Modelling  Agency.

http://www.alternativemodellingagency.com/

 Speaking to one of the organisers  Danielle Carson, from Dolly Q  (http://www.dollyq.com) she considers the event  a great  success. "We have been able to showcase the work of some incredibly  talented people and also enable those how would normally not attend such an event the opportunity to experience a fashion alternative first hand."