This years shows will feature many established and emerging labels. Our old favourites; Akira, Easton Pearson and Scanlan and Theodore and the new and fresh talent of the Design and Innovation Group will show up and comers like; Jaquiline Buck, Saralli Designs and Benjamin Ringuet.

I personally will be seated front and centre at the QUT “Fashion After Hours” Event – featuring a panel discussion on “Couture – Is it still relevant?” – being an avid follower of Couture and Couturiers alike, I am fascinated by how this discussion will go. I have very strong opinions of what is and isn’t couture and therefore am interested what panellists such as Paul Hunt (Designer), Jonathan Ward (Designer) Margot Riley (Dress historian & curator), amongst the others, have to say on the subject.

It’s sure to be a liberating week on the Fashion Scene of Brisbane. I am looking forward to seeing the new collections of our Brisbane/QLD designers. Having been blown away by the many amazing collections shown at Rosemount Fashion Week Sydney, I highly anticipate what is to be a great year for Brisbane’s Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.

For more information go to: www.mbff.com.au
For Tickets go to: www.ticketek.com.au

Produced by Mihai Gal, MG Productions

The Brisbane Fashion Industry is in good hands with up and coming talent as seen at Tuesday’s Triumph Inspiration Awards held in Sydney on the Harbour @ WatersEdge Restaurant.  The three local MSIT Students represented QLD in the finals with Tovah Cottle winning the prestigious title and Anna Peng in third place.  The nine finalists were drawn from Fashion Schools from NSW, VIC and QLD fashion schools, with 3 from each state.

The  Awards now in its third year,  run internationally, with 27 countries participating this year. Every participating country holds a national event to decide which young designer will proceed to the international final, to be held in London in September. The design brief, to design a lingerie showpiece around the theme ‘Shape Sensation’, to be as creative and imaginative in the design of a showpiece. We wish Tovah our congratulations and best wishes in London and bringing this title back to Australia.

The Rosemount Australian Fashion Week started today with Lisa Ho opening off site at 9:00am.

On day 1 of the 5 day event showed Ginger & Smart, Seventh Wonderland, Camilla, Lucotto, the Women’s Ready-To-Wear #1 evemt with Carly Huynter, Guanabana Designs, Story by Tang and Uscari.

The afternoon saw Zambesi in The Cargo Theatre, Rachel Gilbert and the 30 minute MCA Group Collection and Art Installation Show.

The evening showed Bassike, Arelia Costarolla, Bec and Bridge, Christopher Esber and Stolen Girlfriends Club.

More information can be found at the official Rosemount Australian Fashion Week website.

Las Vegas inspired me with its bedazzlement and awe inspiring costumes – Glitter was born in Vegas. The glitz and glamour of the place is just like a legally blonde movie with the colour turned up 100% – Just crazy!

As it wasn’t my first trip to the City of Sin, I had seen most of what it has to offer before, but it never ceases to amaze me how much attention is paid to every detail of the Casinos. The Venetian for example – The Sistine Chapel like Lobby and a fully operable Venetian Canal, complete with Gondolas and beautiful a Capella singing paddlers… Just magnifique! Or the Treasure Island with its spectacular pirate show right on The Strip, though the show has now been “revamped” – I have to say it was quite disappointing that the abundance of humour the show used to have, has now been replaced by something I can only say as being “Pussycat Doll-esque”.
Then there is the ever gorgeous, never aging Caesars Palace which just brims with beautiful sculptures, carvings and paintings. The Excalibur that represents something out of a Disney movie and the New York New York casino with a rollercoaster that goes through the casino itself! – Its just astounding!

After all the glam and hype I ventured to the complete opposite of surroundings. The calm, cool (pun intended) and collected Colorado. Where the serenity itself is inspiring. I could walk for miles through the mountains, its just so peaceful!
2 weeks of Skiing in the beautiful mountains with my amazing family and 2 of my best friends was such an adventure and I loved every minute and every person we met along the way.

Then it was back to Los Angeles. for walk down Hollywood Blvd, to see the walk of fame, the famous Chinese Theatre and some amazing wax figures at the Madame Tussauds. The to Anaheim where we spent a good 12 hours at the amazing Disneyland – Which was very exciting as I hadn’t visited since I was allot younger and still managed to be completely ecstatic about every aspect. Another amazing sight in LA was the Getty Museum. I was lucky enough to be visiting whilst the Rembrandt exhibition was on, displaying some stunning works of art. There were also Monet’s and Pollock’s, just a few of my favourite artists and all in the same location! AMAZING!

And now, back to the beautiful sunshine of the Gold Coast! – Quite a difference from the minus 20 degrees of Colorado! Now its time to embrace the year of 2010 and what it has to bring with Events, Shows, Trends and most of all Fashion!!!

Madame Tussauds Wax Figure - Hollywood Walk of Fame

Liz Cantor speaking to a confused Winner

Entrants of the 2009 Fashions on the Field at Eagle Farm may have felt short changed after the announcement of winner who admitted to throwing the outfit together the morning before.

21 year old birthday girl, Bethany Townsend was announced winner of the $12,000 prize package after a mix-up by competition organisers. Judges revealing later in the afternoon that none of them picked that entrant as the winner. “There has been a mistake here” was the quote The Courier Mail got form Brisbane Fashion Festival director Lindsay Bennett.

Accidental winner Townsend will receive a $2500 shopping voucher, DKNY sunglasses and a Mercedes Benz for a weekend (a package worth $12,000).

Newly announced winner Mildred Elwood will also receive the same prize as Ms Townsend.

Click here to look at some photos from the Fashions on the Field competition at Eagle Farm’s Melbourne Cup Day in 2009.

After seeing the gorgeous swim wear collections at Brisbane’s Mercedes Benz Fashion week, you are hard pressed to find a better selection, Summer is coming and one needs to start thinking about shedding the pasty skin and walking into a gorgeous summer glow.
Mia Connor @ the Make Up Bar On the Gold Coast offers amazing spray tans to some of the industries most gorgeous models. For $35 you can get an fabulous tan that will have you glowing all ‘THE RIGHT’ shades of brown – None of the shades that resemble a certain citrus fruit.
One also requires a gorgeous long flowing maxi dress that makes you feel like a bohemian beauty, a pair of bedazzled thongs and a wide brim hat to prevent the sun from ruining your gorgeous complexion!

Bring on that gorgeous summer lovin’ self!

For information and bookings for your gorgeous tan contact: 0404 079 034

Mia Connor Make Up Bar – Located at Robina Quays Shopping Centre.

Kirsten Reynolds - MSIT Fashion Graduate

On day four of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival we were treated to the most innovative designs of the week, the top fashion graduates of the country from colleges Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE (MSIT), RMIT, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), The Fashion Design Studio TAFE NSW Sydney Institute (Sydney Institute TAFE) and the Whitehouse Institute Pty Ltd (Whitehouse). Each college brought forward students of spectacular talent.

Soeli Pedrozo - Telstra Next-G Network Graduate Winner

The winning collection of the evening came from Sydney Institute TAFE, Soeli Pedrozo.

Miss Pedrozo’s astonishing collection of layered, gathered and cut-away garments won over the judges and made Soeli the winner of the $5000 price. Soeli said that she will spend the money creating her next collection that is in the works.

The final parade at in the grand Brisbane City Hall sponsored by the Queensland Government was the spectacular Design Innovation Group Show from stores around Brisbane – The Tribune Brisbane showed collections from Betty Valentine, Dolly Rockers, Francis Leon and Kate Elizabeth. Gorgeous bags from designer Kinin brought us cute quilted bags in tomato red, mustard and striking turquoise.

Store Upstairs on Wickham

Designs from Akko, Sarva, Tia Carrigan and Store Upstairs on Wickham showed collections from instore by labels Lubanci by Jess Chatterton, Benjamin Ringuet by Ben Cronin, Larlette by Angela Dill, Neon Heatache by Amelia Duncombe, Eva Q by Eva Q Huynh. It was a beautiful show to close the week of fashion at the Brisbane City Hall, with The Queensland Government donating $1 from every ticket sold to Autism Queensland.

Daniel Alexander - Mercedes-Benz Group Show 6

Another day of fashion brought the fashion followers back to the glorious Brisbane city hall. Each show of the evening showing new, innovative and unique designs from each designer.

Mother Maria - Mercedes-Benz Group Show 6

Mercedes-Benz Group Show 6 had designs from Dogstar, Daniel Alexander, Mother Maria, Zaicek, Malocchi, Pistols at Dawn and the very chic, La La Luxe. With pieces ranging from edgy to femme.

Pink Mint (Featuring Jenny Bannister) - Mercedes-Benz Group Show 7

Mercedes-Benz Group Show 7 presented pieces from the absolutely amazing well known Australian Designers Nicola Finetti, Kirrily Johnston, Pnk Mint (with Jenny Bannister) and the always fabulous Lisa Ho.

Lisa Ho - Mercedes-Benz Group Show 7

Group Show sponsored by Queensland biggest selling newspaper The Sunday Mail had us seeing stars with designers Chelsea de Luca, Talulah, Katelyn Aslett, Sacha Drake, Pia du Pradal and standout Project Runway Australia winner Juli Grbac bringing us her ever feminine pieces.

Paul Hunt - MBFF 2009 Group 5

Fashionista’s gather into Brisbane this evening to view some of the most talked about Australian Designers collections. Front row saw Australian Model Kristy Hinze, Vogue Editor Kirstie Clements and Australian golden girl Stephanie Rice. Group Show by The Sunday Mail brought us designs from Chelsea de Luca, Talulah, Katelyn Aslett, Sacha Drake, Pia du Pradal and the ever gorgeous Grbac.

Juli Grbac - Sunday Mail Group Show

Second Showing for the night the V Australia group show, brought us prominent collections from Designer Jean Brown, New trends that took us to withering heights Tom Gunn collection in footwear. Then range of collections from Frockshop.com.au including designers Alice + Olive and Tibi. To finish Samantha Ogilvie brought out collections from designers Elie Tehari, Mike & Chris and BCBG Max Azria where Maxi Dresses dominated the show.

The third and final show of the evening brought the fashion flock to their knees, so to speak, begging for more from Designers Paul Hunt, the ever anticipated George Wu, Tengdahl, Tulipani, Toscano, Bora and the standout of the evening Darb Bridal Couture, showing yet another breath taking collection.

Jean Brown - V Australia Group Show

The stunning Stephanie Rice wearing a gorgeous bow adorned sequin shift dress and told Fashion Scene that she loved the variation of each collection of the night. Music from Michael Buble, Camile, Beyonce, Peter Bjorn And John and a great strings version of Death Cab For Cutie’s ‘This Charming Man’

Between shows VIP guests lounged in the chic decorated sponsors bar and were treated to Perrier and wine, and delightful finger foods presented by staff in gorgeous ornate boxes.