WHEN the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival starts in Brisbane, it won’t just be the dazzling models on the catwalk jostling for attention.
Sitting on the sidelines today will be many of Australia’s A-listers, with celebrities, designers and sports stars stitched up for front-row seats.
Former supermodel and TV presenter Kristy Hinze, Olympic swimmer Stephanie Rice, international make-up guru Napoleon Perdis and Vogue Australia editor-in-chief Kirstie Clements will be front row regulars at Queensland’s premier fashion event, which continues until Friday.
Myer face Jennifer Hawkins plus top Brisbane models Hannah Glasby and festival face Jess Lawson will tread the runways, while top national designers Lisa Ho, Akira Isogawa, Nicola Finetti and Brisbane’s Juli Grbac will be showing their collections.
Politicians including Premier Anna Bligh and Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman will also attend the event.
Thanks to the popularity of fashion TV shows Project Runway and Australia’s Next Top Model, interest in fashion has never been stronger, according to festival director Lindsay Bennett.
“We have sold 15,000 tickets for the shows this week,” he said. “Brisbane has really embraced the festival, the public’s support for local and national designers is really heartening.”
The festival starts with a sold-out swimwear show at Portside Wharf today and tonight Brisbane designers Easton Pearson will show their 2010 Cruise collection.
Vogue on-line editor Damien Woolnough said his festival highlight will be celebrating the success of Easton Pearson.
“I’m excited about seeing Chelsea de Luca’s latest jewellery, Pistols at Dawn’s tailored take on menswear and Paul Hunt’s beautiful, feminine creations,” he said.
“The graduate show is going to be chance to see the next big thing, or at least the next round of Project Runway contestants.”
Other highlights of the week include The Sunday Mail group show tomorrow night featuring top designers Juli Grbac, Sacha Drake and Chelsea de Luca and The Sunday Mail Fashion After Hours event on Tuesday and Wednesday nights - where panels of industry insiders will provide an insight into fashion and culture - and Wednesday’s Queensland Government Design Innovation Group Show.
For those wanting to rub shoulders with the stars, the Rosemount O Bar at the Sebel & Citigate King George Square is where the fashion pack will refresh between shows.
