Ipswich Fashion Festival Delights With New Looks

IPSWICH’S much anticipated Fashion Festival kicked off in style on Friday with a Gala Fashion Evening at the Metro Hotel Ipswich International.

Fashion lovers gathered in the venue’s Grandchester Ballroom to see some of the latest offerings from local designers.

Among the designers on show was Leigh Buchanan, a former Bremer State High School student who was a runner up in the first series of Project Runway Australia.

Mr Buchanan showcased his collection alongside established Brisbane fashion designer Vanessa Hoe who presented items from her When Freddie met Lilly’ label.

Also featured at the runway were collections from Naked in the Night Clothing Co, Queensland Bridal Design and Pret a Porter.

The festival continued the next day at the Retro Rockabilly Fashion Fiesta in Ipswich City Square, with a fashion parade and stalls packed with vintage and retro clothing and accessories.

The fiesta was followed by the Catwalk Collections’ fashion parade at Riverlink which showcased designer pieces, bridal fashion design, retail ready to wear and the PFAFF Student Design Award winners.

Photos by Rob Williams

Melbourne Cup Event at Metro Hotel Ipswich International

 Find out more about this Melbourne Cup Event at Metro Hotel Ipswich International

Samuel Johnson is Riding Around Australia on a Unicycle to Raise $1 Million for Cancer Research!

Samuel Johnson is riding around the Australia on a unicycle to raise $1 mill for cancer research!

MISSION:

Samuel Johnson’s sister Connie is dying of Breast Cancer so he’s setting out on an epic challenge. He’s riding around the Australia on a unicycle!

It’s all about keeping his promise to Connie:
- Raise a million dollars for Breast Cancer research
- Raise awareness of the disease that’s killing her
- Break the Guinness World Record for the longest distance on a unicycle.

It sounds insane, but Samuel’s good to go. He’s been training, he’s ditched the beers, he’s eating... well, he’s eating, and he’s frozen some of his sperm - under advice of doctors - in case the uncomfortable journey has a lasting effect on his closest mates.

Too easy? Connie thought so. That’s why she’s asking Australia to come up with some tough sponsored challenges.

Samuel and Connie want to remind every Australian woman about the need to be 'breast aware' in an effort to promote early detection and improve survival rates.

Their message is simple: 'Don't fall into the booby-trap, be breast aware!'

THE STORY:

Samuel and Connie were born a year apart, so they’ve always been close. Growing up they played together, explored the neighbourhood together... and fought cancer together.

Connie has fought cancer three times in her life and Samuel has been with her every step of the way. This time things are different. Connie is dying and she doesn’t have much time left.

ABOUT CONNIE:

Connie is vibrant, loving, compassionate, tough and inspiring. She's a mother of two beautiful boys. She's 35 years old. And she's dying of Breast Cancer.

This is her third battle with cancer. At the age 11 Connie, with the help of early detection and chemotherapy, fought off a very rare and aggressive bone tumour in her leg. At 22, she overcame a tumour in her womb, again with the help of early detection and treatment.

This time Connie has Breast Cancer and it’s terminal. It has spread to her lungs, liver, pelvis, spine and knee. This time it's terminal and she has a life expectancy of 6-12 months.

Nothing can prepare you for to say goodbye to your kids at such a young age. That’s why Connie is hard at work to raise Breast Cancer awareness. Early detection is the key to survival and Connie wants everyone to know it, so she’s sent her brother around Australia on a unicycle.

ABOUT SAMUEL:

Samuel is one of Australia's most recognisable personalities in the Australian entertainment industry.

He's best known for his roles on The Secret Life of Us, Crackerjack, Underbelly II and Network Ten’s Rush. He’s made a number of TV guest appearances... and he’s the voice of Vodafone, Suzuki and Pedigree.

Plenty of career accolades have come his way. He’s enjoyed multiple Logie nominations, an AFI Award and an Australian Centenary Medal in the 2000 Queens Honours list. He's very proud of all of this, but none of it is as important to him as his sister.

That’s why he’s setting out on this gruelling journey around Australia. Nothing will stop him keeping his promise to Connie.


THE WORLD RECORD:

There are plenty of Guinness World Records to break, but it’s hard to find one as tough as this: The longest journey travelled on a unicycle.

So how far is that exactly? Well the current record holder, a bloke by the name of Lars managed 14,686.82km across 48 states of America. Pretty impressive!

We’re not sure why he stopped, but Samuel is determined to push the record past the 15,000km mark. And he’s going to do it across Australia.

Website: http://loveyoursister.org/

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/loveyoursister

Get Ready to Celebrate City's Style - Ipswich Fashion Festival

STYLING UP: Kimberley Allen-Ankins (left) and Shauna Darr show a glimpse of what will be on offer at the fashion festival. (IMAGE: David Nielsen)

FASHION students, local designers and retailers will soon take centre stage for an event fashion lovers will not be able to resist. 

The Metro Hotel Ipswich International is readying the runway for a Gala Fashion Evening as part of this year's Ipswich Fashion Festival. 

The premier regional fashion event will showcase the latest creations from local and metropolitan designers and retailers. 

Designer collections on show include Leigh Buchanan Designs, When Freddie Met Lilly by Vanessa Hoe, Queensland Bridal Design and much, much more. 

Metro Hotel Ipswich International general manager Ted Matthews said the evening was a wonderful way of showcasing the enormous amount of local talent and fashion that is available in the city. 
"Ipswich is fortunate to have so much wonderful fashion on offer but we also enjoy getting together for a great night out," he said. 

"The Gala Fashion Evening has been organised to not only celebrate the diversity of fashion and design here in Ipswich, but to also be a night of great fun." 

The event will be held at the hotel's Grandchester Ballroom on Friday, October 25, from 6.30pm and include wine and canapés before the runway show. 

There will also be a performance by Ipswich-based Allula Productions' burlesque show and the announcement of the winners of the Pfaff Student Design Awards. 

For guests who can arrive early, Stefan Hair Salon will provide a complimentary hair and beauty bar from 4.30-6.30pm. 

Tickets to the Gala Fashion Evening are $22 and can be purchased from the Ipswich Events Corporation on 3812 2974. 

For more information about the Ipswich Fashion Festival visit ipswichcentral.com.au 

Other Ipswich Fashion Festival events 

• What: Vintage Vixens and Retro Rockabilly' Fashion Fiesta.
• Where: Ipswich City Mall.
• When: Saturday, October 26, from 9.30am - 1.30pm.
• What: Catwalk Collections' Fashion Parade.
• Where: Riverlink Shopping Centre
• When: Saturday, October 26, from 1pm.

Gala Fashion Evening to Kick Start Ipswich Fashion Festival 2013 - Metro Hotels

Local designers, fashion students and retailers will take centre stage at a Gala Fashion Evening to be held as part of Ipswich Fashion Festival 2013 in the Metro Hotel Ipswich International Grandchester Ballroom on Friday 25^th October from 6.30pm until 8.30pm.

Wine and canapés will be served at 6.30pm on The Terrace, followed by a Runway Show featuring the best of local and regional fashion design at 7.00pm, a spectacular performance by Ipswich-based Allula Productions’ burlesque show, and the announcement of the winners of the PFAFF Student Design Awards. Stefan Hair Salon will be providing a complimentary Hair & Beauty Bar set up for guests attending the function from 4.30 to 6.30pm.  Bookings are not required.

This premier regional fashion event of the year will showcase the latest creations from local and metropolitan designers and retailers, including Leigh Buchanan Designs, When Freddie met Lilly by Vanessa Hoe, Naked in the Night Clothing Co., Loose Lemur Clothing, Queensland Bridal Design, and ready-to-wear to name just a few.

Metro Hotel Ipswich International General Manager Ted Matthews said the fashion evening was a wonderful way of showcasing the enormous amount of local talent and fashion available in Ipswich, while also providing a great excuse for a night of entertainment for all.

“Ipswich is fortunate to have so much wonderful fashion on offer but we also enjoy getting together for a great night out,” he said.  “The Gala Fashion Evening has been organised to not only celebrate the diversity of fashion and design here in Ipswich, but also to be a night of great fun, fashion and music!”

The 2-day Festival will continue on Saturday 26 October with the Vintage Vixens and Retro Rockabilly Fashion Fiesta in Ipswich City Mall from 9.30am to 1.30pm, featuring a parade of recycled and up-cycled fashion, and numerous stalls packed with vintage and retro clothing and accessories.

At 1pm, that same day, there will be a Catwalk Collections parade at Riverlink Shopping Centre, at which designer pieces will be exhibited, along with bridal fashion design and student design award winners.

 

Tickets to the Gala Fashion Evening are $22.00, and are available from Ipswich Events Corporation or you can ring 3812 2974. Guests wanting to stay at the hotel can call the toll free Central Reservations line on 1800 004 321 or the hotel direct on 07 3812 8077.

A City Wide Celebration - Moon Festival

Chinese language students with red lanterns ahead of the Chinese Moon Festival next week. (Image: Claudia Baxter)

IPSWICH'S Chinese community hopes to get the rest of the city involved in its first annual Moon Festival, to be held on September 21.

The Moon Festival is a traditional family celebration in the Chinese community, but one that has not been enjoyed in Ipswich until members of the Australian Culture Link Association's Alpha Chinese School got the ball rolling.

ACCLA president Windy Wu said the event aimed to promote the exchange of cultures, crafts, knowledge and ideas between ordinary people.

"In Chinese culture and tradition, Moon Festival is a day for family to be together and have fun," Ms Wu said.

"To the Chinese the full moon represents the whole family siting at the round table and there are many legends and stories associated with Moon Festival."

The event, to be staged at Ipswich Central State School Hall, will feature Chinese music, drama, singing, dancing and other cultural performances.

Members of the public will be able to enjoy the activities for free.

Ms Wu said the Australia China Culture Link Association was a non-profit organisation promoting cultural exchange between China and Australia through language lessons in both countries.

Alpha Chinese School is part of ACCLA and it has been providing local community classes of Chinese language and culture.

"This is the first time that the Chinese Moon Festival will be accessible to Ipswich, and we have created this event as an opportunity for all cultures to come together," Ms Wu said.

FAST FACTS

When: September 21 from 10am-noon

Where: Ipswich Central State School Hall, 2A Griffith Rd, Ipswich

Ipswich Home and Lifestyle Expo

Ipswich Home and Lifestyle Expo

Come and join us for a week end of fun filled activities, prizes, demonstrations and special offers from our exhibitors and Sponsors. Here are some of the activities happening over the week end : 

• River 949fm - Outside broadcast and special promotions

• Mitre 10 DIY demonstrations 

• Free hearing tests offered

• Free movie tickets given away every hour

• Chainsaw demonstrations

• Ride-on mower obstacle course

• Kids entertainment including Baby Animal farm & Jumping Castle

• Artist demonstrations

• Helicopter Mystery Flight for 2 people to be won

• Mystery Prize valued at $288 to be won by a lucky Expo visitor

• Plus much more ...... see Program for further details and times

ABOUT IPSWICH

Ipswich is Australia’s smartest city and one of the world’s most intelligent as recently named for the second year in a row by Intelligent Communities Smart21. The Intelligent Communities Forum is a non-profit think tank that focuses on job creation and economic development in the broadband economy.

Ipswich has a growing population of over 175,000. It is developing major new residential suburbs including Ripley, with a projected population of 120,000 in environmentally friendly housing and Springfield, which is the largest privately owned master planned city in Australia providing for a further population growth of 85,000.

Industrial activity is well underway in 14 industrial/commercial parks in various stages of development. This includes the Swanbank Enterprise Park and the Citiswich Business Park which offer leasing opportunities and the 3,800 hectare Ebenezer Industrial Precinct designated as a regional development area under the SEQ Regional Plan.