With FASHFEST done for 2016, the red carpet is rolled up and we look back on the standouts, highlights and best-dressed moments. After all, what fun is a red carpet event without the dissection of the fashion, styling and glamourous moments captured on camera?

Sadly the time inevitably comes when we must move forward and begin packing away the decorations and lights, much the same way we do following Christmas to prepare for the new year.

Just what this new year will bring is anyone’s guess, but here in Canberra there are a hand full of certainties you can bank on – fresh fashion, vibrant start ups and a growing, supportive fashion industry ready for the taking.

Due to the rapid development in creative ventures in Canberra, the future looks bright and we are already seeing some exciting projects coming to fruition over the next few months.

Shoe lovers unite! The next exciting retail space is just weeks away from opening, with accessories and footwear store Peachy Keen set to begin trade on Friday 21 October.

Part of the Rebel Muse family, a ‘younger sister’ as it’s been dubbed, Peachy Keen is Alicia Xyrakis’ second concept retail store, which will operate straight across from Rebel in the Ori Building.

Stocking labels such as Mode Collective, Senso (gasp!), Birkenstock and Siren, as well Pared Eyewear and Sunday Somewhere, Peachy Keen is set to change the retail landscape in Canberra just as Rebel Muse did two years ago – offering sought after labels, exceptional service in an inspired, beautifully designed space. The opening can’t come soon enough!

Building momentum for a couple of months now, the new space in the Canberra Centre, Eden, is proving to be a hotspot for networking, idea sharing and style inspiration.

Each week Eden is utilised in a fresh, exciting way offering lessons such as candle making and wardrobe styling through to health and wellbeing. So far guests have included founder of Maison Balzac Elise Pioch, and founder of Sportsluxe Bianca Cheah.

The Eden space is housing a fun, fashion-filled style fix across Saturdays and Sundays until 30 October, so if you are stuck for something to do this weekend head into the Canberra Centre and check it out!

Another important event to get amped up for is Melbourne Cup. Race day is fast approaching and along with it, the opportunity to go all out in the style stakes. Fashions On The Field is a great place to be inspired, with the weird, the wild and the ‘what-in-the-name’ headpieces, cocktail dresses and shoes that feature every year.

Thoroughbred Park runs the famous Fashions On The Field competition annually and whether you want to get up on stage or watch from the safety of your seat, race day fashions are nothing if not fun.

Fashion and Canberra was once unlink-able, an impossible divide and cause for snickering (come on, admit it, we all partook) but things have turned around and now that the fashion and style once rare to our nation’s capital has built its foundations, it clearly isn’t going anywhere but upwards.

Images from: senso