words and photography by Sydney based photographer and filmmaker Christopher Quyen
The afternoon rays are streaming in from windows illuminating Faith Connexion’s show at Carriageworks. Everyone is waiting anxiously for the show to start; after all it’s only running half-an-hour behind schedule – always fashionably late. Backstage, models are moving from make-up to wardrobe and the pressure of running late begins to kick in. With everyone dressed they’re ready to kill it on the Hubba Hideout-replica runway, but first… alcohol. Glasses of champagne are passed around and every downs their drink before they get on the runway. Luxurious, different and breaking every convention that has ever ruled fashion – a true embodiment of what Faith Connexion’s success is based on.
After the models complete their walks, the runway becomes a dancefloor mimicking the youth of San Francisco chilling around Hubba Hideout. It is an upbeat anthem to the energy of this brand. Sixteen-year-old skateboarder, Poppy Olsen, glides around the floor and Jacquelyn Jablonski closes the show in a flowing dress.
Everyone runs backstage and the celebrations begin as people rush off to wherever the next party is. But first, a spontaneous mannequin challenge directed by Christelle De Castro is orchestrated between the photographers, the crew and the models. Definitely a promising start to MADE’s debut here in Sydney.
