Circa Nocturna is a fashion parade with a unique difference to mainstream fashion shows, it is a showcase of Alternative and Gothic fashion is a part of the Loreal Fashion week.

I spoke to Stephy Waller from Z~ENT!TY about the complex world of alternative fashions; who will be showcasing her edgy, inspired designs in the show.

Three weeks until the fashion show, and she admits to a little nervousness, because the preparation involved is so meticulous and thorough.

Her choreography for the show will take on a more subdued approach; she agrees that while this is a brave move compared to the more extravagant, over the top shows expected from her fellow designers, her choreography will tie in to give a street conscious element.

Her Z~ENTITY (Z~ENT!TY) designs cater to the realistic and diversified body shapes among the Gothic, Rock, Punk and Romantic subcultures, which was an important decision in the model selection process, because that’s an honest reflection of the world beyond the catwalk. Stephy is confident alternative fashions can dispel sickening images of stick-thin models- an all too familiar sight in mainstream fashion shows. “Younger people are (unfortunately) influenced by opinions on how a female ‘should’ look”, she says.

“I myself am not a supermodel nore are many of the people that grace our streets, why must people be stained by the perception that beauty is a size 8, beauty comes with character and without that we are all empty vessels”

With several sleepless nights; she has learnt it can take months of preparation for five or so minutes of exposure that a fashion show affords.

Helping Steph, in the journey toward her first major fashion show, are as many as twenty people including models, hairdressers, makeup artists, photographers, seamstresses, assistants and a choreographer “it’s a huge task and daunting, but luckily the organizers are helping everyone along with training sessions” she says.

She is not the only one experiencing a first (although her designs have been shown in nightclub based fashion shows which attract around 100 people, this year Circa Nocturna is expected to attract 400 people to The Northcote Town Hall). It will be the third successive running of Circa Nocturna, but the change of backdrop from club to town hall is a giant step for organisers.

Z-ENT!TY designs, has spiced up clothes racks with the culmination of hard work, careful consideration when selecting materials and a creative imagination.

While still an up-and-coming designer, she has learnt to listen to any advice and to give it consideration, especially from those established in the industry.

Maintaining positive relations, with the stores that stock your designs is an important factor.

The fact that good relations are maintained with stockists, including regular contact as well as pushing the virtues of your product, is no fluke. There are only a handful of Gothic/ Alternative boutiques in Melbourne, designers and stockists generally share common interests within the subculture.

The big night has arrived… REVIEW OF CIRCA NOCTURNA…

Z~ENT!TY DESIGNS
www.zentity.net available @

ROMANY WOMAN- 149 Nelson place Williamstown & 186 Sydney rd Brunswick

GOWN OF THORNS- 400 Brunswick st North Fitzroy