Denver Mottau

SYDNEY’S MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK 2019

The Australian Fashion Industry’s biggest names were there in full force to cover the most talked about event in the fashion calendar. The launch of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia on Sunday May 12 in Hickson road, `The Rocks’ in Sydney.

Iconic fashion label Aje opened the show in style using the spectacular backdrop of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House to highlight their collections. A week-long schedule of runway shows followed with some notable and rising fashion talents strutting their stuff off site, as well as the catwalk hub at Carriageworks.

Although the number of shows were reduced for various reasons, the quality and presentation has taken quantum leaps. Now in its 24th year, Australian Fashion Week creates a platform for emerging designers as well as established brands to have access to a global audience of buyers, press and consumers to showcase their Resort 20 Collections, generate sales and grow their business with the ongoing support of the NSW Government to reinforce Sydney as a global fashion capital.

A stand-out theme common to most Australian designers this year, was to produce garments that are both attractive and practical, with a fabric ideal for the Australian climate. The use of natural fibres (organic cotton, silk and linen) and the design of clothes easy to put together to blend-in with climatic change, and our active lifestyles achieved some good feedback from international buyers. Wearability became the key, when designing for Australian lifestyle.

The inspiration of Australia’s keynote designer, Aje over the years has always come from within Australia. Working with Aboriginal artists, Brett Whitley’s prints and reference material unique and identifiable to Australians, this label has become one of the most sought-after in Australia and abroad – linked in a strong parallel with the enduring ageless style of Mercedes-Benz- a style that sits outside the passing of time.

This year, IMG, the event organiser for MBFWA took positive steps to reduce event waste and increase energy efficiency in a three-year plan towards Sustainability. The elimination of single use plastic water bottles, paper gift bags and encouraging participating designers to use a sustainable approach, caught-on remarkably. It was great to witness the serving of coffee in reuseable ceramic cups and other practices evident throughout the event and its venue operations.

Featured image – Premier Gladys Berejiklian with friends. All pics by Denver Mottau.

 

Published by Denver Mottau

Denver’s passion for music, cinema and the arts began at an early age when accompanying his grandmother in her rounds of the entertainment circuits - gaining exposure to Hollywood’s Broadway musicals. This education continued throughout his childhood as the heart-felt melodies of yester-year, and the fantasy of the Golden Years of Hollywood embraced our lives. Choosing a pathway that incorporated all aspects of Sydney lifestyle, Denver was able to make inroads with a variety of independent newspapers and publications to write about subjects of community interest. Over time, he had published a good many front-page stories, helping to overturn political decisions and make an impact on the local scene. What he has enjoyed most is researching areas of health and fitness, music, food and fashion to try and understand what excites the average Sydneysider in their lifestyle and interests. It becomes an on-going avenue of discovery, one that provides great ammunition for stories. Meanwhile, life goes on and the stage is set for reviewing the creativity in visual and performing arts. The challenge is ever present and the results most fulfilling!