Models don crash helmets at Australian Fashion Week

By Belinda Goldsmith

SYDNEY (Reuters Life!) - Models wearing crash helmets and pod-shaped skirts gave Australian Fashion Week a futuristic twist on Tuesday, contrasting with catwalks featuring teensy bikinis, short summer dresses and flowing evening wear.

Over 100 buyers from 15 countries have descended on Sydney for the 13th Australian Fashion Week where over 100 new and established Australian designers are on show, ranging from the well-known Alex Perry to newcomers like Daniel Avakian.

Avakian, a former tow truck driver, chose to base his second collection on Stanley Kubrick's "A Clockwork Orange" with models in black, white, and silver fabrics tailored into pod, diamond and geometric shapes.

"I've always been into sci-fi, Orson Welles, George Lucas, so it was only a matter of time before I based a collection on this," Avakian told Reuters backstage after his show which ended with two models in floor length coats and crash helmets.

"The helmets were representative of the rebels and disorder in "A Clockwork Orange" while I used metallic sheens as these can make women look beautiful."

Avakian, who studied fashion in Italy and London, admitted his shift from tow truck driver to designer might seem rather odd but he put it down to one half of his Armenian family being panelbeaters and the other half dressmakers.

Feminine tailored shorts, silky satin tops and colorful flowing gowns appeared on the catwalk courtesy of Lisa Ho, who is worn by the likes of Jennifer Lopez while fashion house Zimmermann offered short summer dresses in floral patterns with folds and pleats.

Paris-based Michelle Jank presented a collection inspired by her work in India while Nicole Finetti's thigh-high dresses vied for attention with front-row celebrities such as actresses Mischa Barton and Miranda Otto and singer Danni Minogue.