Brisbane city was once again overtaken by forces of fashion lovers, as Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival was back for its 8th consecutive year. It was a week filled with glitz, glamour and of course some of the most inspired, cutting edge, daring, and breathtaking fashion both on and off the runway.
Fondly known in the Fashion world as MBFF, the weeklong fashion festival has become recognised as Queensland’s leading fashion event. Unlike other fashion week’s, it is proudly known for its support of emerging designers and has launched the careers of some of Australia’s top designers. The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival Brisbane also showcases the crème-de-la-crème of Australian designers and fashion retailers alongside some of the biggest names in Australian and international fashion, creating a must-attend event for fashion enthusiasts with a strong focus on supporting the local industry.
After undergoing its own makeover, Brisbane City Hall was once again ready to play host to the festivities and the celebrities of the fashion world that flocked to Brisbane for the event. Napoleon Perdis was overseeing the make up for the week and was also a regular in the coveted front row during the proceedings. Perdis created an obvious buzz during the week bringing a ‘Hollywood vibe’. The Governor General was also amongst the elite A-list guests, as were numerous magazine and fashion editors, bloggers, international models and even some of the designers themselves.
The week began on Sunday 25th August with an exclusive invitation only Fashion Luncheon for Mercedes Benz customers and guests to preview some of the fashions that would be showcased throughout the week.
This was then followed that evening by the Designer Cocktail Reception, another exclusive invitation only event for designers, sponsors, media and invited guests to mingle, socialise and network.
It was time for guests to remember their p’s and q’s at the Queens Plaza High Tea at the Marriott Hotel on both the Monday and Tuesday morning. Guests were treated to a decadent selection of goodies, whilst enjoying a fashion show featuring some of the top labels and retailers from Queens Plaza.
It was then time for one of the most anticipated shows of the week. The Myer Spring/Summer 14 Fashion show featured the latest collections from renowned Australian designers including Arthur Galan AG, Aurelio Costarella, Blaq, Charlie Brown, Cozi by Jennifer Hawkins, Cue, Dom Bagnato, Ellery, Jayson Brunsdon, Jayson Brunsdon Black Label, Leona Edmiston, Manning Cartell, Maticevski, sass & bide, Wayne Cooper, Seafolly, The Rocks Push and YB J’aime.
Tuesday was a busy day for dedicated MBFF goers between the Queens Plaza High Tea, Fashion White Gloves Experience in the State Library of Queensland, followed later by A Conversation about ‘Queensland Style’ looking at aesthetics, themes and distinctiveness (or lack of) in Queensland’s sub-tropical design.
Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue were required for the 6:30pm Monili Jewellers Bridal Group Show, showcasing the designs by, Brides Desire by Wendy Sullivan, George Wu, Regalia Bridal Designs, Bertossi Brides, Darb Bridal Couture, Paul Hunt, Jack Sullivan Bridal, and Elizabeth de Varga Exclusive Fashions.
Guests were then ushered in for the News Queensland Media Inspired Fashion Awards where finalists were vying for a prize pool of $10 000. The Emerging Designers Group Show at 8pm left the audience in awe of the talent shown from Australia’s future leading designers, Erin Hassall Designs, Molly & Polly Swimwear, Playsuit, Peony Swimwear, A Jacksonian Era, Sinead James, Begitta, and Stokes Thompson Designs.
The Brisbane Arcade Group Show was first on the agenda for Wednesday featuring designs from Maiocchi, Tengdahl, The Hat Box, Pia du Pradal, and Darb Couture.
The Mercedes-Benz Group Show later in the evening showcased the designs by, Adorne, Lalabazaar (featuring Cameo, Keepsake, Finders Keepers, Minty meets Munt and Zed Alliance), White Label Noba, Katelyn Aslett, Sacha Drake, Pure Moda (featuring Elliatt, Pink Stitch, Cooper St, Electrique Swimwear, August St and Elle Zeitoune), DA by Daniel Alexander, and Dmoore.
Thursday was a day fashionista’s have had highlighted in the diaries ever since the program release. The night included two Mercedes-Benz Group Shows. The first featuring Akira, Lee Mathews, Ginger & Smart, Gail Sorronda and Easton Pearson. The second later in the evening, left the guests speechless with designs by EP by Easton Pearson, Urbbana, Alexis Dawn, Lisa Brown, Wil Valor, George Wu and Paul Hunt. Paul Hunt was also celebrating his ten year anniversary.
Fresh from Hollywood, Australia’s leading makeup artist Napoleon Perdis presented his seasonal trend forecast of the key five makeup looks for Spring/Summer at the Napoleon Perdis Top 5 Looks event in the Queen St Mall on Friday. Napoleon and his talented National Creative Team showed the crowd how to translate trends from the runway and into real life while revealing some of his favourite backstage tips and tricks for instant “glamification”.
It was also a day of manicures, pedicures, hair and makeup appointments, and last minute accessorising for Brisbane’s fashion elite as they prepared to celebrate and bid farewell to another successful year at the MBFF at the Mercedes-Benz Highlights Parade & Wrap Party. The evening channelled Hollywood’s era of glamour, the 1930’s decade of elegance and the modern generation of inspiring design. The guests included designers, celebrities, models, and fashion lovers who toasted to the best of the best from the week that was the Fashion Festival. The Highlights Parade was followed by a two hour, black tie Wrap Party.
For those that just weren’t quite ready to let go of the fashion festival, Designers in the City was a free event in the Queen St Mall where top Queensland designers Gail Sorronda, Lisa Brown and Sacha Drake, gave away secrets to looking great for the upcoming spring/summer season on Saturday morning.
It was a week that will not easily be forgotten by the fashion community, who, in true devotion to the religion of fashion, will be mourning the passing of nightly fashion worshipping and counting down the days until they can re-join the fashion forces next year for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival 2014.
Below you will find some of our favourite snaps from the weeks events.
Left: Fashion Editor – Courtney Thorpe Right: Gina Theron Lifestyle Editor dressed by Sheike for all their engagements at MBFF
Special Thanks to our Photographer Michael Greves www.michaelgreves.com
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