Melbourne’s GPO, heritage listed and built in Renaissance Revival style 120 odd years ago, has probably seen a lot in its time. From the mail centre of a bustling new city, to having the sorting hall gutted by fire in 2001, it is now enjoying a new lease of life as a rather natty dôme de plaisir (well, retail centre). As Day 4 of Melbourne Spring Fashion Week blinked into the more relaxed tones of evening, a rowdy and well-heeled mob descended on the former mail sorting hall to down Peroni or Champagne Fraise and appraise Fat’s T-shirt ‘exhibition’. Fat, regarded for housing avant garde Aussie labels is located on the ground floor of GPO, a space as beautiful as an artist-run gallery. While Fat probably doesn’t need an introduction for us cluey fashion nutters, their website is super cute and worth a look www.fat4.com .
Sixteen labels produced limited edition (averaging three to thirty only) Tees that were displayed on a creepy jumble of bottom lit mannequins. Black and white print Tees from jean connoisseurs Ksubi, nouveau Goth Beat Poet as well as Claude Maus, Alpha 60, P.A.M and Chronicles of Never and psychedelic silks from Romance Was Born all felt a little undercooked and trite. Given the chance to do the same, any number of art kids queuing in the bread line could have done better with a sole magic marker, a university toilet wall and anti-junkie lighting as inspiration. Exceptions were Dress Up which had a lace Tee for possibly the only justifiable over $100 price tag. Was it art though?
My husband, Duff said, “The bike courier kids are here, must be the coolest event on tonight.” I appraised the young men's maroon beanies, Crumpler bags and walkie talkies.
“Whaddaya mean?”
Duff replied, “Don’t you know? Bike couriers know everything and anything on in the city and have the pick from the best gigs.” 

Princess Tina, where ancient Navajo wisdom meets Atari simplicity

Dress Up, Lace Tee ( I like it, reminds me of my mum's Soviet made crochet books)

Beat Poet "L'ordre Regne," yes I like to sprinkle wanky Frenchness into my world too (see Italicised words above)

Romance Was Born "Lovers Hand Done Silk Circle Shirt", tie-dye, ruffles, hand done... getting closer to art I think.

GPO going off chops

by Varia Karipoff

variachka@hotmail.com