RUNWAY REPORT: THE P.E NATION GRAND SOLO SHOWCASE, PAYPAL MELBOURNE FASHION FESTIVAL 2024

On Saturday March 9, P.E Nation took center-stage at the Paypal Melbourne Fashion Festival's only solo runway presentation, the Grand Solo Showcase.  

Presented as the festival's closing show in Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Building, the Grand Solo Showcase featured 'Utility Reigns', and an exclusive curation of P.E Nation's upcoming collection, ‘Departure Lounge’.

‘Departure Lounge’ represents a fresh expression of your most loved silhouettes, designed to support effortless transit, and transformation. It represents the pride in where you’ve come from; the strength in where your story’s going.

Original streetwear merged with studio-soft essentials, designed to enhance your self-expression, from the bustling urban commute to the international boarding gate.

A bespoke soundtrack of minimal and melodic house music, interspersed with upbeat urban grit,added an auditory dimension to the Grand Solo Showcase. Curated live by international DJ and music producer Dan Lywood, the sonic journey synchronized seamlessly with the energy of the collection and custom visuals that set a backdrop for the runway. 

Established in 1997, the Melbourne Fashion Festival has evolved into a premier event, showcasing Australian and international designers through exclusive collection previews. With 100 unique events across two weeks, this year's program presented premium runway shows, panel discussions, performances and cultural collaborations - reinforcing the festival as an annual celebration of style with indelible influence on the fashion landscape.

Related: The Best Street Style Trends of London Fashion Week

In the lead up to the Grand Solo Showcase, we spoke to our show's stylist, Sarah Starkey, about her inspiration and preparations for the event.  

When did you first develop an interest in style and fashion?
In my final year of high school, I decided that I was going to study fashion design over sports physiotherapy... my parents were very pleased.

Describe your personal style.
A variety of blacks.

Tell us about your history with P.E Nation, and your process for preparing P.E Nation’s runway looks for Melbourne Fashion Festival.
The process begins with an in-depth meeting to view the collection, discussing ideas, styling, and the overall direction. Then there’s a lot of preparation, from conceptualizing hair and makeup briefs to organizing accessories and footwear. The casting phase involves directing model selection - the way they move is important. We then allocate the appropriate looks for each individual model. Throughout this journey, my assistant diligently oversees the sourcing and documentation of every detail.

The pre-styling session is a dedicated day spent with my assistant, ensuring each look is curated to perfection. Finally, a follow-up session involves a thorough check with both my assistant and the P.E Nation team to confirm quantities and finalize every aspect. We then have fittings with models and finalize the looks and running order of the show.

What is your personal favorite look from the show?  
Black of course, Look 27.

What are your favorite pieces from the collection?
The black puffer jacket worn as a dress.

What key trends are you embracing this season?
Comfort, I seem to be purchasing a lot of track pants... cool track pants.

What wardrobe staple could you not do without?
Accessories, jewelry, sunglasses, handbags!

What are some of your favorite shopping destinations, anywhere in the world, and why?
Seoul and Tokyo are at the top of my list. I love the diversity they offer, the blend of renowned designers with the unique charm of local designers. There's this perfect mix of global trends and local labels that makes shopping in these cities a unique experience.