Alice McCall, Vicious Threads, Sarina Suriano: Pretty, Interesting & Downright Innovative
By Michelle Taylor
Photos by Alex Zotos

PERTH, May 10, 2004 / FW/ --- On the last day of Mercedes Australian Fashion Week, Alice McCall, Vicious Threads and Sarina Suriano provided some pretty, interesting and downright innovative designs that wowed both the press and buyers.

All three of them showed at the Rocks Warehouse, and show after show, it was a hard act to follow.

First was Sarina Suriano, Sydney-based costume jeweler known for her ornate and flirtatious designs.

Trained in Milan at the city’s cult fashion store Fiorucci, and at Erickson Beaumont in London, Sarina created jewelry for Christian Lacroix, Givenchy and Christian Dior that were all used in the catwalk.

Bringing back that experience when she moved back to Australia, Sarina launched her own jewelry line that consisted of handmade metal and jeweled garment ensembles.

From the Paco Rabanne-inspired black & silver apron made of triangles to the crystal and gold thread vest, Sarina Suriano’s way to stardom is assured.

Another homegrown talent, Alice McCall fused elegance with rock & roll, sending metallic tops and dresses with cute bows on the runway. It will not be surprising to see Britney Spear, Jessica Simpson, or even Hillary Duff wearing Alice McCall’s creations.

Recording artists worldwide had discovered the synergy between fashion and music, and recording artist Vicious Vinyl together with street wear designer Ivan Gomez who are on their second year of operations showed their sixth collection at the Cargo Hall last Thursday.

As expected, the collection is oriented for the youth market. But P.Diddy has nothing to worry about. Although the collection is interesting, wearable and would surely sell, it lacks P.Diddy's innovative approach.

The collection is "too clean" and looked like "garden variety jeans and shirts." Maybe its because the non-establishment attitude had to be internalized and not just mimicked. Successful streetwear labels like Sean John and Phat Farm are based on that. Let us hope that Ivan Gomez and Vicious Vinyl are just on their experimentation period and will come up with a truly innovative street wear like their U.S. counterparts.

Alice McCall

Vicious Threads

Sarina Suriano