Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia reveals line-up ahead of Resort shows

By

Benjamin Fitzgerald

Published
Apr 27, 2018

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia will kick off its 2019 season in mid-May, with five days of fashion shows, featuring the latest in resort collections from over 90 Australian designers, according to organisers.

Iconic Australian design duo Camilla and Marc -- who first took part in Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia in 2003 -- will open proceedings on Sunday, May 13, as part of the Mercedes-Benz Presents show, with their participation in the prestigious slot announced in February this year.

Now, show organisers IMG have confirmed the official MBFW show schedule, taking place in varies 'galeries' at Sydney's Carriageworks.

The most recent additions to the Australian show list include Karen Walker, Alice Mccall, Karla Spetic and Mariam Seddiq, joining runway stalwarts Akira, and Camilla, and emerging-label-turned-mainstay Macgraw. 

Ones to watch this season are retro surfwear brand Double Rainbouu, who have curated a cult-like following in Sydney's eastern suburbs, the colourful Romance Was Born, and Ten Pieces, known for its monochrome, sportsluxe style and collections of simply ten items.

Missing from the Resort 2019 schedule, however, is Australian designer darling Dion Lee, who returned from New York last season to open the event. As are designer duo Sass & Bide, who returned down-under in 2017 after several seasons in New York, to present a newer, fresher design point to global buyers.

Those retailers this year will include Al Tayer, Asos, Browns, Club 21, Farfetch, Harvey Nichols, Isetan, Lambert & Associates (on behalf of Neiman Marcus Group), Lane Crawford, Opening Ceremony, Matchesfashion, Net-A-Porter, Saks Fifth Avenue, Selfridges, ShopBop and The Outnet, confirmed IMG.

MBFW Resort 2019 marks the third edition of the recently revamped Australian fashion week. Resort collections are now shown instead of the typical spring/summer or autumn/winter ranges seen in London, Paris or New York, with event organisers IMG saying that the seasonal shift puts the Australian edition in line with the international retail calendar.

“May marks the beginning of the global sales window for these lucrative retail collections,” said Emily Weight, Head of Fashion, IMG Fashion Events & Properties, Asia Pacific, at the time of the change in 2016.

“The new timing and resort offering reflects our work with the industry to maintain global relevance for the region’s leading fashion event."

According to IMG, Australia as a Resort destination saw an unprecedented 51% increase in buyer attendance last year.

MBFWA '19 runs May 13-17, 2018 in Sydney.