Fashion Observer Magazine Sept. 2014 | Page 36

Forget Melbourne, Perth or even Sydney . . . Australia’s fashion capital is the small coastal town known as Byron Bay. I know that is a massive statement but hear me out – any city in Australia has amazing fashion, but it isn’t uniquely Australian fashion. It is our version of the fashion we see from New York or Paris. But Byron is different – people aren’t wearing what they saw out of a magazine, and labels do not matter. Byron Bay fashion is about selfexpression, and isn’t that what Australia and fashion in general is all about? Byron Bay is the home of untamed hair, easygoing living and of course Splendour in the Grass. I don’t know about everyone else but I am suffering major post-Splendour depression and I didn’t even go! Once a year our insta-feeds are covered with bohochic clothing, gypsy-inspired styling and tribal headpieces. But why? Do these people usually go for gumboots over a nice pair of Windsor Smiths or is it Byron effecting their usually conservative and relatively mainstream fashion choices? Splendour brings the Byron out in everyone. Byron Bay is the fashion hub for gypsy fashion. From patterned kaftans, to feathery accessories and leather boots – Byron’s fashion culture is unique. Take a trip to Byron I can guarantee you will see what I liked to call the ‘hippy effect’ – you will be walking around in a flowy white dress, with matted hair and no shoes before you realize it. Byron living is contagious.