Face Fashion makes Melbourne runway debut
Young, ambitious and uninhibited: Be captivated by the next generation of Australian designers when Sydney’s Face Fashion debuts their cutting-edge runway shows in Melbourne for the first time, allowing budding fashionistas the opportunity to share their designs with the city’s fashion forward.
Kicking off with a series of jaw-dropping fashion shows being held on Thursday 25 and Friday 26 May at the heritage-listed ‘Meat Market’, Face Fashion will showcase designs from 20 up-and-coming designers from across Australia. On Saturday 27, dazzled fashion enthusiasts will then have the chance to purchase their favourite bespoke pieces at the inaugural ‘Face Fashion Market’.
Recognising the need to provide emerging fashion designers with a platform to break into the increasingly competitive industry, fashion and events aficionado Marvin Osifo, in 2006, established Face Fashion.
With the event’s footings now well-established in Sydney, event director Osifo says that a move to Melbourne was a natural progression.
“Melbourne is heralded as Australia’s fashion capital and we know there is a proliferation of local and national talent just waiting to be unearthed”, says Osifo. “For Melbourne fashion lovers, Face Fashion presents a rare and exciting opportunity to discover arcane trends and styling inspiration, and most importantly, incorporate that into their own wardrobes.”
The event aims to provide young designers with the exposure, connections and experience needed to turn their passion into a fruitful career.
“As a young fashion designer, it’s so hard to get a foot-in-the-door”, says Face Fashion participant, Kimberley Elle. “Face Fashion will not only provide a platform to share my designs with consumers, but the opportunity to network with brands, fellow designers and industry leaders.”
Osifo’s background in fashion and events holds him in good stead to support, encourage and coordinate participants through their Face Fashion journey. Born and raised in Nigeria, among family in fashion design, his upbringing cultivated a great appreciation of pattern, colour, and style. With an affinity for fashion deeply engrained, Osifo migrated to Australia in 1992 where he commenced a career in fashion retail, working for esteemed brands including BALLY, Emporio Armani, and David Jones. After establishing himself in fashion retail he went on to study business management, marketing and event management at university.
Marvin Osifo
Involved in the events and fashion spaces simultaneously, Osifo quickly observed a lack of opportunities for young designers. A fashion enthusiast and now events management professional, Osifo was inspired to bridge the gap, incepting his own event for emerging designers, Face Fashion.
A decade on, Face Fashion has steadily become a prominent event of the fashion calendar, with up-and-coming designers, labels, buyers, models and industry leaders benefiting from the unique nature of the event, which celebrates all that is great about Australian fashion.
Working closely with participants, Osifo is constantly inspired by the creative ingenuity, commitment and astonishing talents of the young designers he encounters. A natural leader and passionate advocate for emerging talent, Osifo has seen dozens pass through Face Fashion, going on to forge lucrative careers in the industry.
An industry insider for over twelve years, Osifo has an acute understanding of what it takes to ‘make it’ in the fast-paced world of fashion.
“Helping young people pave their way in what is a notoriously tough industry, is incredibly rewarding”, says Osifo. “Face Fashion is my passion; I’ve seen first-hand how it can act as a launching pad for young designers, catapulting them into the career of their dreams”.