They look like they’ve stepped out of a shop window…or off the set of Pulp Fiction. Ten ‘live mannequins’ randomly ‘popped up’ at the Canberra Comedy Festival, Diner en Blanc, Enlighten Festival, The Black Opal Stakes, and Skyfire, ‘vogueing’ in a way that would make Madonna proud. A twitter account revealed little about these mysterious beauties, the only clue that they called themselves ‘Guardians of Style’.

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Then last week, the veil was lifted, with Canberra Centre revealing themselves as the brains behind this innovative and memorable series of pop-up fashion installations.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-H39Z8P7s8qY/Uy-clxjiMAI/AAAAAAAABT4/HmauF-DYOXk/s144-c-o/diner-en-blanc.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/108454826374315674707/GuardiansOfStyle#5994181801824890882″ caption=”Diner En Blanc” type=”image” alt=”diner-en-blanc.jpg” pe2_single_image_size=”w614″ pe2_img_align=”center” ]

“We wanted this to fit in with the cultural calendar in Canberra and to create a cultural experience of our own – one that entertained and inspired,” said Canberra Centre’s Marketing Manager Tero Blinnikka.

Local models from Victoria’s Models made up the group who were styled by Canberra Centre’s lead stylist Victoria Schnabl and dressed in the latest fashion trends for Autumn Winter 2014.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_05eTUc3Yt8/Uy-cnzIcN4I/AAAAAAAABUY/lYjLTdnrdC4/s144-c-o/skyfire.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/108454826374315674707/GuardiansOfStyle#5994181836607862658″ caption=”Skyfire” type=”image” alt=”skyfire.jpg” pe2_single_image_size=”w614″ pe2_img_align=”center” ]

“There was no announcement, just a sign saying, ‘#guardiansofstyle’,” said Victoria. “As soon as the models started posing, people stopped and stared. It was very striking.”

[pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-T4yu2E3GxQc/Uy-cmyfqPaI/AAAAAAAABUU/1VoXlFQ1kSo/s144-c-o/nla.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/108454826374315674707/GuardiansOfStyle#5994181819256946082″ caption=”Enlighten” type=”image” alt=”nla.jpg” pe2_single_image_size=”w614″ pe2_img_align=”center” ]

A team of 10 models, four make up artists, two stylists, a videographer and photographer worked together to pull each installation together. If you missed the Guardians of Style at the big ticket cultural events, you can catch them as they showcase the latest autumn winter 2014 fashion ranges from Canberra Centre’s collection of Australian and international brands from Friday 28 to Sunday 30 March on Level 1 Canberra Centre.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-m5vrweoMqYY/Uy-ckpM8d3I/AAAAAAAABTk/cfuuaNa95zM/s144-c-o/city-walk.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/108454826374315674707/GuardiansOfStyle#5994181782402791282″ caption=”Reveal on City Walk” type=”image” alt=”city-walk.jpg” pe2_single_image_size=”w614″ pe2_img_align=”center” ]

This series of in-Centre Fashion Events will showcase this season’s must-have trends, and feature live mannequin pop-ups, fashion photo-booth and exclusive fashion offers. With the weather now firmly set to ‘Autumn’, there’s no better time to get your hands on new season fashions.

the essentials

What:Canberra Centre Fashion Launch Weekend
Where: Canberra Centre – fashion shows will show on the main stage located near Swarovski Crystal on Level 1
Fashion show: Will run on the hour at 12noon, 1pm and 2pm and 5pm, 6pm and 7pm on Friday 28 March, and 12noon, 1pm and 2pm on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 March
Live mannequin pop ups: Will run between 12 – 3pm and 5 – 8pm on Friday 28 March, and 12 – 3pm on Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 March in various locations
Fashion photo-booth: Will operate from 10 – 3pm and 5 – 8pm on Friday 28 March, and 10 – 3pm on Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 March near Sugar Station on Level 1.
Web: www.canberracentre.com.au