Canberra's Fashfest steps up its profile with few growing pains

Fashfest co-founder Andrea Hutchinson said while the 1200 seat venue had not hit capacity, Saturday's closing night would bring in the biggest crowds of the four-day festival.

"Tonight is going to be the biggest," she said. "At the very end we have the big finale where all designers [from] across the four nights will be showing one or two pieces from their collection again."

Corr Blimey released its ewest collection Propaganda Z on the 45 metre Fashfest catwalk.

Designer Louisa de Smet said the cleverly contoured felt and sculptural street wear she created paid homage to furniture designer Walter Knoll's use of line.

"The way the felt is folded in is reminiscent of the way the fabric covers the furniture," she said.

"They use a lot of tapes and webbings in the construction so I have tried to bring a version of that through the pattern making."

Models wearing Corr Blimey made a bold impression with black painted lips and dripping technicolour eye makeup.

Fashfest producer Steve Wright said while it was a undertaking to coordinate, what was unique about Fashfest was that rather than slicked hair and basic makeup, models wore a distinct hair and makeup look for each designer's collection.

"Everything has been taken to a higher level and that means the public get a far better experience," he said.

"Any kind of ramp up of an event has growing pains. To give a platform for the creatives to do their utmost is really hard.

"Detail has been really important to us and really that's what good design is about - creating something that is seamless that people can enjoy without noticing the mechanics too much."

While the numbers of tickets sold throughout the four day event are yet to be released, more than 500 mascara wands, 300 sets of false eyelashes and 3000 bobby pins have played their part in showcasing the best of Canberra's couture.