Samantha Harris Launches Australian Indigenous Fashion Week 2013

Another front row to enjoy? RESCU's excited already.

Australian Indigenous Fashion Week (AIFW) has just launched, giving it plenty of time before its first big shows a year from now, in September 2013.

The week will be a chance for indigenous designers and models from all over the country to flaunt their designs, network and look for media coverage.

Fashion weeks are vital for buyers and press, and AIFW is already attracting major international interest, with spreads on Fashionista.com, Marie Claire online and even the fashion bible Women's Wear Daily.

The girl of the moment? Aboriginal model Samantha Harris, who'll front the Fashion Week and whom international magazines are just discovering as a bright new modelling talent.

Harris even gave an interview about her thoughts on Rodarte's use of Aboriginal art as dress-prints recently.

It's going to be big - and RESCU will bring you all the gossip from the launch, the after-parties and the emerging talent on show.

Are you excited for Australian Indigenous Fashion Week?

Image: Samantha Harris.

Burberry Director To Marry His Partner

It's the year for fashionable weddings.

Burberry creative director Christopher Bailey, who turned the ailing British fashion house from an old-school stuffy trenchcoat seller to one of the chicest, youngest labels on the planet, will crown his success by marrying his partner Simon Woods in London.

The two are a power couple in fashion and art - Simon Woods is a British actor who specialises in smouldering period dramas like Pride & Prejudice with Keira Knightley.

However, fashion spectators hoping for a gigantic Kate Moss-like do will be disappointed.

Apparently the civil ceremony will be very small, and the guest list intensely restricted - though we imagine many Vogue editors and fellow designers will be angling for an invite.

In other fashionable civil ceremony news, Rufus Wainwright married his partner last week wearing a white Viktor & Rolf suit covered in small mirrors - and was the centre of attention.

The secret of Bailey and his groom's suits is a tightly guarded one, but we imagine they'll be Burberry through and through - perhaps with Burberry studded shoes as accents.

Whatever they wear, you can guarantee that fashion-conscious grooms will be watching intently.

Image: Christopher Bailey in GQ.

How To: Take Care Of Gowns And Party Dresses

It's always tough if you enjoy long, floor-sweeping gowns but haven't the faintest idea how to care for them.

Fear not: here are RESCU'S top tips for caring for expensive gowns.

1. Store the gown carefully. The number one mistake made in caring for gowns is storing them badly and wrecking the structure.

The most common problem? Storing them full-length on a hanger. The weight of the gown will drag, putting pressure on the seams and altering the shape.

Instead, fold it in half over a hanger - if there are long sleeves, drape them over the hanger too rather than letting them hang free, to keep their shape.

If you have space, store them folded in boxes with moth protection and tissue paper. It's also a good idea to cover all gowns on hangers with dry-cleaning bags or other dust protection.

2. Take care of stains immediately. Getting stains out of silk and chiffon is notoriously difficult and will likely need to be done by a professional.

No matter how hungover you are, the morning after the party where the spill or stain happened, if not sooner, it needs to be cleaned.

Moisten with a warm cloth under the arms to clean deodorant stains, then take to a garment cleaner. There are various cleaners in Sydney and Melbourne who specialise in silk and delicate fabrics - look for them in the Yellow Pages.

Be prepared for bad news, and accept that alterations may need to be made to the dress to cover them.

3. If it isn't stained, leave it alone. Dry-cleaning in particular can do damage to delicate fabrics.

If the dress is perfectly fine but smells of smoke or other party scents, just leave it out to air until the smell dissipates. Some designers think a day or so is enough - and that a mixture of water and fabric softener, misted gently over the material, will help. Only put it back into storage once it's completely dry.

Gowns don't need to be aggressively cleaned unless there's a problem. Doing it too often will strain the material and make paler ones yellow.

4. Plan wearing it beforehand. This isn't a put-on-and-go sort of situation.

Most delicate gowns need to be brought out of storage at least a day before wear, to fully drop and unwrinkle. Steaming the dress in a bathroom is a common way to give it shape and new life.

If you don't have time for a shower, just use the water-fabric softener mix.

Ironing is rare - but if it just can't be helped, be as gentle as possible and put many protective layers between the petticoats and segments of the dress.

Now get somebody to zip you up - and you're ready to go!

Image: Ballgowns from the Dior By Demarchelier photographical project.

Spring Trend Guide: Shirts

It's the new spring trend, and we're wearing it with everything from trousers to printed skirts to overalls.

Crisp, high-collared shirts with scattered prints are everywhere this season.

What to look for? Collars and cuffs, first of all. Contrast colours are very in - look for brights, and details like studding or leather.

Secondly, pick your fit. Many women find a more fitted shirt flattering, but if you'd rather an androgynous silhouette, pick one without any shape.

Thirdly, go wild with prints. This is the season for whimsy, cuteness and don't-notice-till-you're-up-close detail.

Currently on our must-buy lists? Stella McCartney's black silk version, covered in prints of old brooch designs, the gorgeous retro dog-print blouse at Topshop Unique, and the Ancient-Egypt print on white silk by Nahm for ASOS online.

Don't be afraid to stand out - pair with black to look sophisticated, or clash with other prints if you're all about summer colour.

Image: Ancient Egypt shirt by Nahm.