Di$count Univer$e were Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week’s rebels with a cause – to shake things up and stand out among the racks of mustard dresses, slips, layered frocks and wide-legged trousers we’ve been applauding for days. It’s the kind of clothing you’d only wear home if your mother was Vivienne Westwood and your big sister was Anna Plunkett from Romance Was Born. 

Fashion shows shouldn’t always be about selling clothes. With their energetic runway presentation Sin Is In, Di$count Univer$e tapped into a spirit of creativity that goes way beyond the commercial.

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DI$COUNT UNIVER$E Resort 2017
Credit: Getty Images

The born again punk vibe could be felt before the show started with an audience wearing more than its fair share of sequins, neon and Goth make-up looks. From the moment the first outfit appeared, a coat emblazoned with sex positive messages and various ‘up yours’ slogans to the establishment, the crowd was hooked, joining the likes of Katy Perry, Rihanna and Lady Gaga (there was also a relationship with Miley Cyrus which seems to be over and not in the Liam Hemsworth way) who have worn the work of Melbourne-based founders Cami James and Nadia Napreychikov, who are set to relocate to New York in September.
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DI$COUNT UNIVER$E Resort 2017
Credit: Getty Images

The graduates of RMIT who started the label in 2009 seemed more focused on screaming their message of empowerment with strong slogans, buckets of sequins and more grommets than a skateboard part than worrying about fit and traditional notions of flattery. A star-strewn skin tight mini-dress along with a sequined blue mini number were unforgiving on the models’ bodies but this was all part of the take-me-as-I-am and take-no prisoners charm.

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DI$COUNT UNIVER$E Resort 2017
Credit: Getty Images

An array of sequined boots and bodysuits had a loud look-at-me costume quality but those who don’t seek the spotlight can take relative safety in hot red leather coat dresses, cropped red and blue leather jackets strewn with studs and worn backwards that were surprisingly less intimidating. This was an anti-establishment show that made sure Discount Universe was acknowledged and applauded by their peers.

See the rest of the DI$COUNT UNIVER$E runway looks. 

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DI$COUNT UNIVER$E Resort 2017
Credit: Getty Images