Some of fashion's most established names will get the jump on Rosemount Australian Fashion Week (RAFW) when they host private spring/summer 2011/12 catwalk parades this week.
Carla Zampatti will kick things off on Thursday April 28 with a mid-morning runway show that will mark her 46th year in business. Zampatti said her 'Strength of Simplicity' collection was inspired by the 1990s and was "all about the back".
Among the 34 looks to hit Zampatti's runway will be relaxed jackets with low slung pockets, wide leg pants and fabrics including linen, organza and georgette. Dominant colours will be royal blue, tangerine, red and soft cream.
Nine-year-old label Ginger & Smart will follow Zampatti's lead and unveil their spring/summer designs on the same day at Sydney's Woolloomooloo. In addition to the label's mainline spring/summer 2011/12 collection, buyers will also have access for the first time to 'Lounge', a less structured womenswear collection.
On Friday April 29, New Zealand-headquartered label Sabatini will celebrate 20 years in the Australian market with a runway show at Customs House on Sydney Harbour. Tony and Margi Milich, the names behind Sabatini's parent company Sonny Knitwear, will be on hand to unveil their Sabatini White summer capsule collection.
The trickle of runway shows will turn into a deluge come Monday May 2, when RAFW officially gets under way at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Sydney. The trade event, now in its 16th year, will run for five days and over 81 labels will show on the runway to local and international buyers. Many more designers will host smaller showings.
To register as a buyer or to view the designers taking part in RAFW 2011, visit http://rafw.com.au/australia