Exposed! The Story of Swimwear
Queensland University of Technology's second year fashion design students have the opportunity to reinterpret the one-piece bathing suit for the 21st century using a technologically advanced wool/lycra textile in classic black. Looking to the past and designing for the future, the swimsuit embodies a contemporary aesthetic and glamour inspired by the original mermaid, Annette Kellerman, a key figure from the story of swimwear which is being showcased as “Exposed!” a travelling exhibition.

Opens Thursday 2 July 2009
Australian National Maritime Museum
2 Murray Street Darling Harbour, NSW
www.anmm.gov.au

State of Design 2009
A diverse program of over 80 interactive events, exhibitions, workshops and talks. Some fashion related events include Designboom Mart providing an unprecedented opportunity to meet 40 international design professionals personally, The unique Looking to the Past a exhibition of garments and accessories made from recycled clothing and This is Not a Design Market which showcases Australian designers, makers and artists, creating furniture, fashion, lighting, jewellery, homewares.

Wednesday 15 to Saturday 25 July 2009
Various venues Melbourne, VIC
www.stateofdesign.com.au

The World of Small Things
From outside Australia, from places we sometimes fear, come ingenious and finely crafted objects. And from inside Australia, objects are being designed and made for the growing markets in India and China. Underneath the complex web of international relations is a free flow of precious things; objects from Palestinian refugee camps in Southern Lebanon, the Kashmir, Iran, India, Mexico, Philippines, East Timor, Rwanda and Papua New Guinea. Swamp (papyrus) grass jewellery pictured.

On now until Saturday 25 July 2009
Craft Victoria
31 Flinders Lane Melbourne, VIC
www.craftvic.asn.au

Fashioning Now
Investigating the way in which clothing is produced, used and discarded, Fashioning Now is an exhibition and accompanying symposium featuring innovative research projects from Australian and international practitioners. Through a dynamic array of fashion garments, textile objects, photography, illustration and time-based media, Fashioning Now seeks to highlight the diversity of sustainable solutions currently being explored by designers, researchers and manufacturers, while predicting possible scenarios for a future fashion industry.

Opens Tuesday 28 July 2009
University of Technology Gallery
702 Harris Street Ultimo Sydney, NSW
www.utsgallery.uts.edu.au

Current: Contemporary Art
Edited by Art & Australia (Australia's premier art magazine since 1963, Current is the first comprehensive survey of all that is cutting edge in Australian and New Zealand contemporary art practice. Eighty artists have been carefully chosen to reflect the vibrancy of art today, with familiar names Tracey Moffatt, Shaun Gladwell and Del Kathryn Barton to fresh talents such as Benjamin Armstrong, Rohan Wealleans and Francis Upritchard. With over 240 pages of images, 6 essays and 80 artist profiles, Current will delight newcomers and connoisseurs alike. Order your copy online for $105 incl. postage.

www.artandaustralia.com.au

Fashion in the Age of Jane Austen
Persuasion: Fashion in the Age of Jane Austen looks at the changes in fashion that occurred over Jane Austen’s lifetime. The focus is on English women’s fashion during the first two decades of the nineteenth century, which was one of the most dynamic periods in fashion. Drawing on work from the National Gallery of Victoria’s holdings of eighteenth and nineteenth century fashion, prints and drawings, decorative arts and paintings and complemented by key works from other Australian institutions and private collections.

On now until Sunday 8 November 2009
National Gallery of Victoria
180 St Kilda Road Melbourne, VIC
www.ngv.vic.gov.au

Style With Vision
A fashion project between World Vision, Instyle Magazine and Romance Was Born that endeavours to inspire 500 fashion conscious people to sponsor a child with World Vision Australia. This promotion is valid until 30 September 2009 or until the first 500 sponsors come on board so call 1300 320 092 to become a child sponsor now and receive one of these exclusive designer t-shirts.

www.worldvision.com.au
www.instyle-australia.com

Rosemount Australian Fashion Week
Five days of frenzied fashion showcasing some (and some not so) original and inspiring collections. Anticipated to be a highly commercial offering from designers, there were some stand-outs who pushed the boundaries. The good was Dion Lee for everything he sent down the car-park runway and Ant!podium for using real people as models including transvestites. The bad was blatant copying (they will say referencing) of French fashion house Balmain in so many collections. The ugly was the black-out, goodie bag stealers and front row celebs wearing head to toe international labels.... it was after all AUSTRALIAN Fashion Week. Click below to continue reading. Image courtesy of 2threads.

www.thewhitebook.com.au/rafw2009.html

The Marley Markets
The Marly Markets is a showcase of new up and coming designers from across Sydney and a selection of vintage collectors and artists. A wide array of clothes, jewellery and accessories are available each week with stalls changing weekly to give customers new retail experiences at each market. Designers include; Ampersander, Hallican Boodie, Andru Chrisst, Loformea, Piparela and many more.

On the first Saturday of each month from 11am to 4pm
Marlborough Hotel
145 King St Newtown, NSW