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

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival 2009 – Day 2
The Sunday Mail – Group Show

Featuring
Chelsea de Luca, Talulah, Katlyn Aslett, Sacha Drake, Pia du Pradal, Juli Grbac

Click here to go to the MBFF 2009 – Day 2 Fashion Photos

Day 1 - Swimwear Show

I’ve just uploaded all the photos I took on Day 1 of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival. This was the swimwear show at Portside in Brisbane.

Click here to go to the Swimwear Fashion Photos

You’re welcome to download and share the photos, just click on the “”Download Photo” link on the bottom left of the image.

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.

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.

A fabulous Sunday on the water, for the swimwear show with pieces from Flamingo Sands, Karen Neilsen Collection, White Sands, Rebecca Manning Swim, Colin Heany and the ever intriguing Riot Swimwear.

As the sun went down fashionistas gathered at the gorgeous Brisbane City Hall. Where they saw striking collections from Akira, Easton Pearson and Camargue were shown. Designers with Camargue include designs from Dries Van Noten, Martin Margiela, Rundholz, Sara LAnzi, Peachoo & Krejberg.

Every year over 50,000 show goers flock to Brisbane to attend the ever fun and highly celebrated Royal Queensland Show- The Ekka. Throughout the 10-day show of animal attractions, rides, shows, displays, showbags and events, the highlight of the event for the fashion flock is the highly coveted Coffee Club Parades, Offering 53 fashion parades throughout the course of the show.

Over 20 Local established and emerging designers showcase their latest collections from stunning evening wear to gorgeous day wear and fabulous swimwear. Each collection showcased are garments created featuring predominantly cotton and wool the most versatile of natural fibres.

This year the show saw over 20 different amazing collections from designers such as George Wu, Brides Desire by Airs & Graces, MXM Couture, Bora and Paul Hunt – Just to name a few. Each collection shimmying down the catwalk to amazing choreography music and lights display that had the crowd on the edge of their seats wondering what would come next.

Pieces from emerging designers of QUT and MSIT showed an individual additive to the show amongst the stunning and elegant gowns of the evening wear. Standout collections were the gorgeous yet simple lines of Grbac in pastels and punch pink and the ever transforming Riot swimwear with its soft colouring and quirky styling aesthetic.

Not only were patrons treated to a brilliant array of hot designs, the Coffee Club Parade also featured a model search to find a fresh new face for the fashion scene, 10 Finalists vied for the top position in the New Faces Model Search.

All in all a great show, the lighting, stage and choreography was superb. I was impressed by the line-up of established designers and the event in itself was very impressive. If you haven’t seen the Coffee Club Parade before, it’s certainly a must on next years social calendar.

Coffee Club Parade – 2009
Designers
•    Paul Hunt
•    Bora
•    Wendy Makin
•    Brides Desire by Airs & Graces
•    MXM Couture
•    Daniel Alexander Couture
•    Dogstar
•    Maiocchi
•    Grbac
•    Tulipani
•    George Wu
•    Mother Maria
•    Kitten D’Amour
•    Dirtbox
•    Taree Birse
•    Pistols at Dawn
•    John Harris Menswear
•    Swimwear from Riot

Plus Student showcase by MSIT and QUT

Its hard to believe that it has come around again, Queensland’s premier fashion event The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival.

The Festival will run from Sunday 23 through until Friday 28 August 2009. With 59 local and national and international designers featuring in the action packed week full of all things fashion!

With almost 15,00 people attending last years shows and workshops there is no doubt that the gorgeous little city of Brisbane will be buzzing with fashions elite and fabulous fashionistas!
The list of featured designers (See Below) is simply AMAZING! – Sends chills up my spine!

Easton Pearson, Akira, RIOT, White Sands, George Wu, Kirrily Johnston … Just afew names that get me alittle excited. There is no doubt in my mind designer and winner of the supreme award last year at the Australian Retail Awards – DARB Couture – will be a stand out show.

For more info and details on the The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival and designers go to:
www.mbff.com.au
For Tickets: www.qtix.com.au

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DESIGNER LINE UP:

Akira
Sun 23 Aug 7.00pm
Akko
Wed 26 Aug 8.00pm
Bora
Mon 24 Aug 9.00pm
Camargue
Sun 23 Aug 7.00pm
Chelsea de Luca
Mon 24 Aug 6.00pm
Colin Heaney
Sun 23 Aug 12.00pm
Daniel Alexander
Tue 25 Aug 6.30pm
Darb Bridal Couture
Mon 24 Aug 9.00pm
dogstar
Tue 25 Aug 6.30pm
Easton Pearson
Sun 23 Aug 7.00pm
Flamingo Sands
Sun 23 Aug 12.00pm
Frockshop.com
Mon 24 Aug 7.30pm
George Wu
Mon 24 Aug 9.00pm
Grbac
Mon 24 Aug 6.00pm
Jean Brown
Mon 24 Aug 7.30pm
Karen Neilsen Collection
Sun 23 Aug 12.00pm
Katelyn Aslett
Mon 24 Aug 6.00pm
Kinin
Wed 26 Aug 8.00pm
Kirrily Johnston
Tue 25 Aug 8.00pm
La La Luxe    Tue 25 Aug 6.30pm
Lisa Ho
Tue 25 Aug 8.00pm
Maiocchi
Tue 25 Aug 6.30pm
Mother Maria
Tue 25 Aug 6.30pm
Nicola Finetti
Tue 25 Aug 8.00pm
Paul Hunt
Mon 24 Aug 9.00pm
Pia du Pradal
Mon 24 Aug 6.00pm
Pink Mint

Tue 25 Aug 8.00pm
Pistols at Dawn
Tue 25 Aug 6.30pm
Rebecca Manning Swim
Sun 23 Aug 12.00pm
Riot
Sun 23 Aug 12.00pm
Sacha Drake
Mon 24 Aug 6.00pm
Samantha Ogilvie
Mon 24 Aug 7.30pm
Sarva
Wed 26 Aug 8.00pm
Talulah
Mon 24 Aug 6.00pm
Tengdahl
Mon 24 Aug 9.00pm
The Tribune Brisbane
Wed 26 Aug 8.00pm
Tia Carrigan
Wed 26 Aug 8.00pm
Tom Gunn
Mon 24 Aug 7.30pm
Toscano
Mon 24 Aug 9.00pm
Tulipani
Mon 24 Aug 9.00pm
Upstairs on Wickham
Wed 26 Aug 8.00pm
White Sands
Sun 23 Aug 12.00pm
Zaicek
Tue 25 Aug 6.30pm

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Childrens wear label, Birikini, a collaboration between Kylie Prizzirani & Chelsea Hillbrick received the Rising Star Award for their gorgeous collection inspired by Ethnic roots, Russian princess’ and babushka dolls. The Birikini totts wore gorgeous berets, little vests and cute little capes adorned with pom poms.

Once again Lisa Brown had exactly what the judges were looking for, giving her another finalist position in the Bridal category.  Darb Couture took out an amazing 4 final spots in the signature showcase category, with 2 of four entries being chosen for Bridal, also having one entry of 3 in couture making the cut and one of three in fashions on the field.

Signature Showcase Finalists:
Brides Desire by Airs & Graces, Wendy Sullivan, West End, Queensland [BRIDAL]
Darb Bridal Couture, Brad Webb, Brisbane, Queensland – 2 finalist entries [BRIDAL]
Lisa Brown, Lisa Brown, Clear Island Waters, Queensland [BRIDAL]
Strictly Bridal, Ann Wilson, Mudgeeraba, Queensland [BRIDAL]

Darb Bridal Couture, Brad Webb, Brisbane, Queensland [COUTURE]
Dimitria Bridal Couture, Dimitria Kal & Christina Kal, Albert Park, Queensland [COUTURE]

Darb Bridal Couture, Brad Webb, Brisbane, Queensland [FASHIONS ON THE FIELD]
Taree Birse, Taree Birse, Southport, Queensland [FASHIONS ON THE FIELD]