BRISBANE: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival kicked off yesterday in Brisbane with an outdoor swimwear parade featuring Flamingo Sands and White Sands among other labels.
This was followed in the evening by a designer parade including Akira and Easton Pearson.
Today a mix of labels including Talulah, Sacha Drake and Grbac will hit the runway.
A key event for industry will be the V Australia Fashion Forum and Breakfast, hosted by fashion commentator Melissa Hoyer, held at 7am tomorrow morning. The theme, 'Keys to successful development of brands for trend driven markets' will be explored by guest speakers including model Kristy Hinze, make-up expert Napoleon Perdis, Vogue editor Kirstie Clements and US brand specialist Elizabeth Harrison.
The week long consumer focused event will showcase spring/summer 2009/10 designs from established and emerging labels. Last year's event saw 15,000 people attend shows and workshops throughout the week.
The event is designed to boost retail sales, increase awareness of the local fashion industry and promote tourism to Brisbane.