I’ve always been a big fan of Nicola Finetti’s clothes so was excited to be going to the runway showing of his new collection at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week (RAFW), which started yesterday in Sydney.

However I have to say I was left somewhat disappointed by this new collection - there was really nothing that stood out to me in the show, with the exception of the large orange clutch pictured here (there was also an oversized black version).

The hemlines were mainly short - a little too short for my liking (although this was a spring/summer collection so short hemlines were to be expected) - and the colours were a little uninspired (mainly sea blues and greens, silvers and blacks and whites). Finetti also sent a number of little black dresses down the runway, which usually get me excited, but there was nothing in this bunch that really caught my eye. Ditto on the sea of of little white dresses he presented us with.

However this orange clutch was a definite standout and is on my must-have list…

Celebrity sightings (for those who are into that kind of thing)…

One of The Veronicas (don’t ask me which one) looking painfully thin

Megan Gale flanked by security guards

Dannii Minogue basking in the attention of photographers (you can tell she loves being photographed)

Actress Miranda Otto in the front row at Nicola Finetti

Model Miranda Kerr looking gorgeous front row at Kirrily Johnston. Yep, she is just as beautiful in real life.

One general observation…

Some young fashion types turned up in the shortest of short skirts and sky high heels. Yes, I know it’s a fashion event, but how uncomfortable must they have been? Sydney barely reach 18 degrees on the day and there’s an awful lot of standing and walking around involved. I nearly died in my (only moderately) high heels, nevermind the cold. It will be flat shoes for the rest of the week for me.

By Caroline Warnes

One of the more interesting designers I have come across so far at RAFW is Sara Phillips, a local designer showing only her second collection at the event.

Phillips, who used to design for Jayson Brunsdon, makes clothes that are both wearable and affordable.

I am in love with the black maxi dress - pictured below - which is comfortable enough to wear casually for day (with sandals or thongs) or dressed up for night (with killer heels and a skinny belt).

She also makes some really exceptional t-shirts in comfy cotton that are cut slightly longer than your average tee with a slight flare below the hips, to help disguise the problem area at the top of the thighs that so many of us suffer from.

Best of all, the range is extremely affordable, especially when compared to other local designers. The black Alice dress pictured below is the most expensive piece in the range, at $280, with prices starting from as little as $80.

The Sara Phillips range is currently stocked at two Sydney stores, The Graduate in the Strand Arcade and Euphoria in Kogorah.

Some more looks from Sara Phillips…

By Caroline Warnes

As local designers go, Wayne Cooper is up there amongst my favourites - having been on the Australian fashion scene for over 20 years, it’s fair to say he’s well and truly stood the test of time.

His various labels throughout the years - including Brave, Wayne Cooper and Wayne by Wayne Cooper - have all been a bit rock-and-roll, a bit ladylike and always fun and colourful.

It’s been a busy few weeks for the Wayne Cooper label. The latest Spring/Summer collection will be shown next Monday on the first day of Rosemount Australian Fashion Week in Sydney. The new collection is based around the theme “Ultraviolet” and pops with colours such as fuschia, violet and emerald, with pieces finished in zips, buckles and studs.

What’s more, the label has just opened its second Sydney standalone boutique on Sydney’s Oxford Street, which will stock pieces from the new collection (you can also find it in Myer stores nationally as well as boutiques in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth).

And last but definitely not least is the launch of Wayne Junior, the first childrenswear range for Wayne Cooper. I welcome the addition of kids’ clothing ranges from style-forward designers with open arms, given the lack of options for kids and tweens currently on the market (there are way too many underage Britney, Lindsay and Paris wannabes running around the streets for my liking).

The Wayne Junior label features the likes of sleeveless dresses, coats, tops, skirts and pants for girls, and jackets, jeans and t-shirts for boys. Pieces in the collection have the Wayne Cooper rock-and-roll edge without being provocative or inappropriate. Prices start from as little as $29.95.

By Caroline Warnes