We came, we Frocked, we raised $3500! An Evening Frocktacular indeed!

Oh Frockettes and Frockafellas, what a night we had!  To give you a small window behinds the scenes at Frocktober Canberra, this event was the one that we were most worried about.  Not because we doubted the depth of talent in the Canberra fashion community or the support of the people of Canberra but simply because we'd never done this before! It's that feeling you get when you're throwing a party which is completely illogical that absolutely no one is coming!  Boy, were we wrong about that!

With the help of some amazing people, the evening came together and was just brilliant!  The Black Opal Room at Thoroughbred Park looked great, decorated with frocks froms the 50's and 60's as well as some great photo banners from the Australian Museum of Racing.  Frockettes and Frockafellas started pouring in to receive their free champagne and gift bags filled with goodies from  Bliss Key Communication, Hilary Wardhaugh Photography, Carmen Steffens, Brazilian Butterfly, Anton's Hair Studio and many others!  Shortly after 6.00pm,160 people were chatting and sipping their bubbly, the dulcet tones provided by DJ Marky B set a great background, highlighting that smooth, swinging vibe of the 60's and 70's.  All through the evening people dug deep and donated generously while enjoying fashion and fun.

Natalie Tsirimokos, Editor of Out in Canberra, wearing her MC hat for the night (it went beautifully with her black frock, fab fascinator and cute shoes), welcomed the crowd  to the Black Opal Room on behalf of Frocktober Canberra and introduced Diana Ryan of Bliss Key Communication, one of our gold sponsors who had made the whole thing possible. After a short stirring speech from Diana, Natalie took to the mic once more to welcome the girls of the Canberra Roller Derby League!

To cheers and wolf whistles, the CRDL girls were the perfect picture of Frocktober, healthy diverse women in fabulous frocks (on loan from the collection of Katherine Horak).  The girls rocked, rolled and flirted with the crowd, putting on a fabulous show to open the parade sections of the evening.

After a brief interval to announce round one of the lucky door prizes, we got to the meat of the evening the accessories and racewear parades.  As the models walked the deconstructed run way, interacting with the crowd, the stunning accessories from Carmen Steffens and millinery by Angela Menz, Hats by Trish and Christine Waring were shown to perfection. 

After a quick change, our models strutted their stuff in the latest racewear designs from some of Canberra's hottest designers and boutiques such as Momento, Soho and Sybil's Closet.  Designs by Laura McCormack, Jash by Jacquelyn Haverson, Liebe Bluhm by Megan Cook, Tahlia, a n d i e by Andie Meredith and sofia polak design by Sofia Polak highlighted some of the top trends of the Canberra spring season.  Strong blues and yellows, gorgeous florals and prints and effortless, floating whites were strong trends.  The crowd applauded and cheered, celebrating the fabulous combinations of top class millinery, frocks and accessories worn by gorgeous women including local Frockette, Rhonda Martindale who won best Frock at the Frocktober Canberra Launch Party.





Left Frock by a n d i e, Right Frock by Laura McCormack

  

After the parade came to a triumphant conclusion with Sofia Polak's gorgeous bridal gown, it was time to get down to the last round of lucky door prizes and the awarding of the evening's crown of best frock, won by a lovely frockette in a stunning purple ensemble. 

Our thanks go to simply everyone who came along, donated prizes, equipment or assisted in any other way to make the evening the success it was.

With your assistance in supporting Frocktober, we successfully raised $3500 for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation. 

Our only challenge is now how do we top it next year!!!

All Images courtesy of Out In Canberra