Designer DETAIL - Fame Agenda
If Monica Lim is trying to get famous by being a fashion designer, as the name of her label and boutique 'Fame Agenda' suggests, she may be on the right track. In her very first season she's put together a covetable collection that offers a look that is unique, elegant and thought provoking all at the same time.
View more from the collection here >>
Lim's website tells us Fame Agenda is about "Exploration and expression of fashion landscapes and oneself" as well as "Something fresh and exciting challenging modes of expression", an agenda which is nothing short of intriguing to say the least.
A true entrepreneur who has taken a leap of faith in the fashion world, Lim graduated from Law at the University of Melbourne with honours and worked as a tax lawyer in commercial firms such as HLB Mann Judd and Deloitte for a number of years.
Whilst on maternity leave, Lim decided to leave the legal world behind and set up her own fashion boutique, designed to stock her own brand and also those of her like minded peers.
Monica says, "The Fame Agenda label for Spring/Summer is bursting with colours inspired by an Impressionist's palette - bright yellows, lilacs, pinks and greens. We have silhouettes that are loose and relaxed, as well as edgier cuts with sculptural detail.
What I love about our first collection is the fact that it proves we can have great design, yet bring them to a very wearable and affordable level without compromising on quality. My favorite item is the 'Jane Butterfield' dress, which is completely covered in tiny matte silver sequins. It looks like modern armor! Perfect for conquering the world."
A boxy shift in rigid army green silk is a beautiful piece relevant for a day at the office or a night at your favourite nightspot, whilst the canary yellow leather jacket is both military and raincoat all rolled into one.
The black element of this summer collection hints at the labels Melbournian heritage. Interesting shapes such as hooded tops (not the athletic kind), heavily draped coats and soft trousers with voluminous dramatic pockets and folds slope softly towards narrow ankles.
The chocolate leather smoking jacket wants to be worn over a flimsy, layered silk dress or the brown plaid shirt and fitted, cropped cigarette trousers. A look that seems destined for a modern day Audrey Hepburn.
A standout for the party season, a boat-neck knee length cocktail dress evokes the look of an elegant fossil, with pleating which flutters vertically down both sides to create a soft frame around a somewhat basic silhouette which certainly does not need to reveal the body it encases to create appeal.
As a whole, the Fame Agenda boutique certainly offers shoppers a fresh and exciting option. Opened in October, the beautifully appointed store in Melbourne Central champions not only it's own name brand, but rising local fashion stars such as Arnsdorf, Karla Spetic, Gary Bigeni, and Konstantina Mittas. Alongside are local and international designer labels including Camilla and Marc, Gail Sorronda, Michelle Robinson, Marnie Skillings, 18th Amendment, Karen Walker and New York jewellery label Bijules.
Visit www.fameagenda.com
