ON THE verge, that must be the sweetest spot; the intake of breath before a kiss, the split second before ''yes'', that moment when everything is possible. On Thursday night, at the Melbourne Spring Fashion Week RMIT student runway, you could almost feel the tipping point as the top fourth-year fashion design students sent their work down the runway at the Melbourne Town Hall.
We were intrigued to learn what could happen next; where would you love to intern? ''Givenchy,'' Natasha Fagg (pictured) said without hesitation. "The couture and what they produce just blows my mind.'' If you could be at Givenchy tomorrow or on holiday which would you choose? ''Givenchy,'' she nodded solemnly. ''No holiday.'' Queensland model Olivia Thornton, who walked for Fagg, may find her holidays far away, too. Increasingly in demand, Thornton has, this year, appeared on international catwalks for Mary Katrantzou and Thierry Mugler.
Final year fashion design student Simona Roeder would put herself on a plane to intern for Jean Paul Gaultier. ''I think I love the fantasy within his collections,'' she mused, ''the combination of masculinity with femininity. Fashion is always about telling a story.''
Lois Hazel, whose collection was inspired by the raw, organic effect created when structures are manipulated - disrupted - nominated Yiqing Yin. ''She's incredible,'' Hazel said. ''She's very sculptural in what she does. It's all about feeling how the fabric moves. The process determines what the outcome is.''
A sparkling surprise
'A springtime soiree' was the perfect phrase for Brown Brothers' celebrations. There was croquet and canapes, cake pops and sweet pea (pictured) and a surprise; the launch of Brown Brothers' ''mini'' range. Mini bottles made for spring straw-sipping, of Moscato, Cienna, Vintage Moscato Sparkling and Vintage Moscato Rosa Sparkling. So, at The Trust, in conversations punctuated by the thwack of a croquet mallet and licks of Ricketts Point ice-cream, we were eager to find out, when was the last time you were surprised.
''Today,'' Nick Brown said. ''Someone let me in in traffic … in Melbourne!'' His cousin, Katherine Brown, told a slightly longer tale. ''My sisters threw me an amazing surprise 30th party, in April,'' she said. ''I had no idea. My boyfriend said it was his grandparents' 60th engagement party and I said, 'Whatever, as long as you drive, I have to do work in the car'. Then he tried to get me to put on a dress and I'm like, 'Why would I put a dress on to drive to Milawa for three-and-a-half hours?''' She blushed, "I started being really ratty in the car. But then we got there … I saw my two sisters walking towards me. I couldn't talk; my voice went up an octave.'' And then, just as you'd wish of any surprise, she said wistfully, ''I wish that it went for longer.''
Get set spring racing
IT'S ON for real now; the spring racing carnival. Why now? Because the Flemington spring fashion lunch happened last week, in the Atrium high above the track, and it's the event that breaks the seal. Like the just-popped cork in a bottle of champagne, or the first tray of glasses dropped at a party, once it happens, we're on. So, at Flemington racecourse on Thursday, before taking our seat at the Emirates table, we wondered, what's just starting in your life, what's on?
''Holidays unfortunately,'' Rebecca Judd (pictured with designer Aurelio Costarella) grimaced. Unfortunately? ''Yes, because Carlton didn't make the finals. We're four weeks ahead of schedule.'' Unlike Judd, Costarella's life, his career, is right on time … though it is still a secret. ''I'm working on a big deal in the US market'' - that's all he would share.
''I'm just starting birthday parties,'' Sara Groen said. ''My little girl (Estelle) is about to turn one and I'm going to try my hand at a little star cake.''
Natalie Hunter was starry-eyed, too, despite her boyfriend's protestations. ''Sons of Anarchy is my new TV show,'' she said. "I'm addicted and I'm in love with Jax (Teller). My boyfriend said, 'If I had a picture of a girl on the background of my phone … ' And I said, 'Don't even try it'.'' Don't even get her started.
