Alix Higgins, Third Form winners halfway through festival

“Some of the models were customers that I have gotten to know at pop-up stores and were persuaded to take part in the show,” he said.

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Many models resembled lost boys from Peter Panlet loose in Wendy’s wardrobe and make-up drawer wearing polo shirts with lace-trimmed red skirts and sheer mint tunics with matching stockings.

“There’s a legitimacy to Alix’s work that you can feel in his clothing,” says graphic artist Sam Passmore, who attended the show in Higgin’s ‘Hell’ slogan T-shirt. “People who wear his clothes might look intimidating at first, but they are generally lovely, and love Alix as well. You don’t have to know him to experience that love.”

An equally specific design signature was wielded by Merryn Kelly at the fashion week debut of her nine-year-old label Third Form. There is no Peter Pan in Kelly’s World, only Wendys like fashion influencer Nadia Fairfax and model and writer Jessica Vander Leahy who were in the front row.

“I’ve known Nadia since school,” Kelly said after taking a tearful bow clutching her baby.

“She represents my customer. We have a connection with women who understand how to dress and appreciate the details and work that goes into every garment.”

Frayed denim coats, mint satin dresses with floral strips and fringed scarf tops had the brand’s international customer in mind with Third Form already stocked by David Jones and luxury e-tailer Moda Operandi.

“This was very much a coming of age with a super considered approach,” Kelly said.

Model Stephanie Carta in a rich brown sleeveless dress worn belted over a black sequinned skirt demonstrated the maturity of Third Form’s sophisticated Wendy.

“She can be human too,” Kelly says. “That’s why I let myself cry on the runway. You have to be brave enough to show who you are.”

Higgins came close to tears.

“I almost cried, which didn’t happen at my other shows,” he said. “Something changed this year. There was frustration and anger but it felt lively. Getting personal is hard.”

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