It’s the type of show that inspired impromptu backstage dancing and not just because the music was infectious but because the designs themselves were. The QUT Fashion Graduate show for 2012 entitled Chaos and Control featured designs from twenty graduates, each featuring six pieces from their graduating collections. From laser cut leather and bright coloured beetle prints, willowy flower prints with a hint of masculinity and masks of butterflies the show lived up to its name. Curated by lecturers Jane Morley and Kay McMahon, the diversity from the students was well received by the crowds over three shows on the 21st and 22nd of November. Most have already started selling and producing their collections outside of the studies, some having been featured in The Fleet Store – a pop-up store founded and run by QUT fashion students.

Definite standouts were Austin Moro, Hayley Elsaesser and Isobel Campbell.

Austin Moro’s collection’s embodies understated femininity, yet highlights a discreet masculine energy. His six pieces highlighted his talents for both male and female fashion. Light blue meeting nude and a deep hued orange. Hand made bags accompanied the collection; all set off with large white flowers that placed you back into the 1960s.

Hayley Elsaesser’s collection could not have been more different than Moro’s. Draped in colorful prints of beetles, skulls and spiders the collection inspires youth and vibrancy. Pattern blocking took a new form in Elsaesser’s final pieces and was set off by a combination of fur and laser cut leather. Simplistic cuts allowed this collection to be not overpowering but inspiring.

Isobel Campbell debuted a collection that would make any fashionable surfer girl froth at the mouth. A collection were durability, practicality and style came together. Neon colours and traditional black wetsuits in the shapes of racing back tops, high-waisted bikini bottoms, fur sleeves and wetsuit material backpacks. Campbell’s final six pieces re-invented surf culture.