While Sydneysiders and Melbournians may turn their noses up at Brisbanites, Queensland’s capital city could soon be a strong player in the war to be crowned Australia’s sartorial state. Its sixth year running, this August the Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival will take over Brisbane’s arts and culture precinct, South Bank. Aimed at consumers and hosting over 60 shows from the best of local, national and international designers, the event may well give RAFW and LMFF a run for their money.
“With more people moving to Brisbane, there are tremendous opportunities for designers and retailers to generate considerable exposure and sales from the Queensland market,” Festival Director Lindsay Bennett tells Pedestrian. In concrete terms, last year’s festival generated retail success of $4.35million and print media coverage of $8.1million. That’s a lot of cash dollar for an event that’s often overshadowed by its New South Wales and Victorian counterparts.
Scanlan & Theodore, Akira, Gail Sorronda and Lisa Ho were among the designers who showed at last year’s event. MBFF 2011 will involve nine group shows and an off-site swimwear/resort show, as well as an exclusive bar, series of high teas, an Australian Fashion Graduate of the Year competition, an after-hours seminar program and a gala closing event.
MBFF will take place on Saturday August 20 – Friday 26. The official schedule will be announced on May 19, with tickets going on sale the following day.
Words by Ingrid Kesa
