Janette Wojtaszak of The Statement Life is partnering with Maria Wolters of Honeysuckle & Lace to bring a vibrant spring fashion show to Leyla Bar. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Spring, glorious spring, has poked its head out of hibernation, and it’s got two Canberra fashion creatives pretty excited.
Janette Wojtaszak of The Statement Life and Maria Wolters of Honeysuckle & Lace have collaborated on a fashion show unlike any other.
To be held on the rooftop bar of chic Barton club lounge Leyla Bar, The Statement by Janette X Honeysuckle & Lace Spring Fashion Show will, for one night, banish dreary winter vibes in favour of a fresh, fun and glamorous showcase.
The Statement Life, a fashion, beauty and lifestyle brand, and Honeysuckle & Lace, a Kingston fashion boutique, are a match made in heaven, according to Janette.
“Maria and I share a love of fashion and have the same dreamy sort of whimsical aesthetic approach, so we thought it would be a great idea to join forces for spring,” she says.
“We both love bright colours and can appreciate the finer details in fabrics and designs. She has these beautiful designers she stocks in the boutique, and I’ll be showing my new earring and headwear collection to complement that, as well as a couple of clothing pieces.”
It’s a preview of the spring collections from both labels in a fashion show, but there’s no elevated catwalk here. Guests can expect a European-style runway, with the models at floor level so attendees get an up-close look at the designs and details.
“The preview is really intimate and unlike your standard runway shows, which can be over in a flash, we’ve asked the models to really take their time so people can really take in the intricacies of the pieces.”
Without giving too much away, Janette says the aesthetic is vibrant and lush. Her designs were inspired by time spent on the South Coast.
“I was drawn to all the beautiful shells, starfish and pearls down there, so you’ll see a lot of that in the jewellery,” she says.
“We also love to empower women to wear what they want and to inspire them to wear colour and prints and to make a statement.”
Expect a show of colour and statement pieces heavily influenced by coastal life. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Janette says the event was designed in response to feedback from their followers.
“We’ve been listening to people about events and fashion and they have echoed our own sentiments – that it feels like there haven’t been any events in this space for a while. This is overdue,” she says.
“We want it to feel like a celebration of fashion, and we want to make this more of an ‘experience’. We want to transport people somewhere else. That’s why we landed on hosting it at such a lovely venue.”
Low and slow as the fashion show is, the event will kick on after the runway turns back into regular floor space. The models will emerge wearing some of the looks to mingle with the crowd at Leyla Bar, as will Janette and Maria, giving guests a closer look and the chance to ask questions.
A curated selection of exclusive items seen on the runway will also be available for purchase – another way the event is ditching the status quo.
“Typically, with regular fashion shows, people don’t get the opportunity to see things up close, let alone purchase them,” Janette says.
“Usually, when it comes to the runway, you see all these beautiful clothes and accessories, and then you have to wait.”
The event is billed as the perfect excuse to get together with your favourite people, a glass of bubbles in hand, looking at fashion and thinking about the spring and summer ahead. It’s also going to be family-friendly.
“I’ll be bringing my two girls along. I want them to get exposure to these sorts of exciting events,” Janette says.
“When it comes down to it, it’s really a lovely opportunity for parents, children and grandparents to enjoy time together with beautiful things to look at and interesting people to talk to.”
Tickets include a glass of bubbles on arrival, a seat, a gift bag and a chance to win the lucky door prize – a $300 voucher from the Skyn Lounge and a $100 voucher from Capital Lashes.
The Statement by Janette X Honeysuckle & Lace Spring Fashion Show takes place on Sunday, 10 September, from 11 am at Leyla Bar, 1 Burbury Close, Barton. Admission is $54.26 for adults and kids are free.
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