By Phoebes Garland

Another year, another Mercedes Benz Fashion Week (MBFWA) has rolled around again, with regular industry stalwarts making their milestones. A big start, with the merge of Premiere Trade Event, joining forces with MBFWA for the first time for the high-end component of the industry.

The IMG team who expertly put the event together like clockwork every year, as well as the many volunteers, rolled out another successful one this year at Carriageworks in Redfern. More of an industrial and arts chic vibe, it definitely had a more accessible feel about it while ensuring it felt spacious.

There was plenty of big milestones this year, with Perth based, Aurelia Costarella celebrating 30 years in business, as well with Camilla & Marc & Jayson Brunsdan also celebrating 10 year milestones. Fabulous to see the longevity of these business survive, through the good times and bad.

Sister and brother team, Camilla and Marc kicked off their show with a real wow factor. Inspired by the Russian Matroyoshka doll. There were strong textures , with jacquared and lace, silks, jackets embellished and metallic. Tailoring and elegance were highlighted in this collection

Also on Day 1, Aurelio Costeralla’s collection wowed crowds and media and was a retrospect based on his 30 years in the fashion industry and paying homage to his recurring themes in past collections. A combination of Ready to wear and Couture pieces it was a sublime look into this very talented designers abilities. The esteemed designer dedicated his collection to his late father who died at the beginning of the year.

Phoebes Garland is a Features Writer for EXPOSED Online and co-owns Garland & Garland Fashion & Fashion Initiative, an online fashion destination covering business of fashion, fashion, luxury and events. Phoebes Garland was described as a ” Power Agent”, by Ragtrader magazine. Between the two of them, Phoebes & Robert Garland have over 50 years sales experience in fashion, publishing and advertising. Garland & Garland Fashion is a respected leading boutique fashion agency based in Sydney, and they are regularly sought for comment from various media & the fashion industry on business fashion topics and issues. Phoebes Garland was also one of the judges for The Spirit of the Black Dress in 2012 (LMFF).

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Australian label Serpent & the Swan unveiled their much anticipated Spring Summer 13/14 collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia 2013.

Designed by sisters Hayley & Lauri Smith the Serpent & the Swan label is inspired by a shared childhood love of the animal kingdom and a somewhat dark and morbid fascination with the anatomy of creatures and their mystical incarnations.

Following this theme, Serpent & the Swan’s Spring/ Summer 2013/14 Collection Insecta Botanica explores the idea of growth and the inherent relationship between plant and human life cycles.

The Box was transformed into a botanical museum, with models exhibited partially in display cases encased with Serpent & the Swan jewellery, coppered bones, agate crystal and plant samples, to an ominous score of forest and insect noises.

The collection features a self-designed ‘Botanica’ print inspired by 18th Century botanical plates, insect dissection and anatomical drawings of teeth amongst a muted colour palette of lavender leathers, wheat hues, dirty mint, washed out stripes and brilliantly severe black.

Leather harnesses over soft dresses, relaxed t-shirts and shirts with sheer wide trousers and leather bras and briefs aim to imitate the juxtaposition of hard and soft aspects found in nature along with embroidered organza, loose mesh knits, raw linen and fluid silk dresses.

Insecta Botanica is a collection of uniquely beautiful and androgynous pieces that stay true to the brooding aesthetic of the label, all adorned with the unique, handcrafted, gold and brass trimmings which have become a hallmark of for Serpent & the Swan, this season taking the forms of teeth and skull buttons, horse head zippers and bone details.

View the new Serpent & The Swan range with Kingdom Come Fashion Agency on stand 4 during Premiere Trade Event co-located with Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia.

For more information visit premiere.net.au

White Sands MBFWA SS14 Collection shot by Michael Greves

Renowned for their bold style and cheeky cuts, White Sands swimwear is designed for the woman who is a little sexy, a little fun, always fashionable and savvy enough to know quality when she sees it.

Quintessentially glamorous, always with an eye to fashion, and a nod to the carefree style that is so Australian, White Sands always delivers a unique and fashion forward collection each season. From tiny Brazilian cut bikinis and beautifully shaped maillots, all in exclusive prints on the most divine Italian lycra fabrics, teamed with their signature resort co-ordinates.

These uber-chic swimsuits are made to look fabulous both in and out of the water, and each and every piece in the White Sands line is constructed with a commitment to excellent quality and a flawless fit.

White Sands has proven time and time again to be one of the most glamorous, fashion forward swimwear and resort labels to come out of Australia.

For the past few seasons, White Sands designer Leah Madden has been focused on the American market showing her collections at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim in Miami.

This year she returned to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia for her third solo show with ‘The Honeymoon’ collection which is on display at Premiere Trade Event.

Here are some images fresh from the White Sands runway show that kicked off MBFWA.

Visit White Sands at Premiere Trade Event and see the collection up close on stand 39.

For more information or to register, visit premiere.net.au

The AZURE spring summer 13/14 collection exemplifies femininity using beautiful textured silk georgettes and cottons with intricate embroideries and embellishments.

An elegant, timeless resort wear, Azure is for the woman who loves a touch of the European in her style.

“Azure collections are cohesive, beautiful and affordable. We are all about being trans-seasonal and wearable!,” says Azure designer, Natalie Centaine.

‘Our launch at Fashion Exposed in 2012 gave us a huge boost into the industry, landing international accounts from Japan and New Zealand within the first few hours.

“I believe the AZURE collection has a true point of difference. We are certainly a beautiful and unique womenswear, designer collection with an affordable price.”

Azure by Natalie Centaine is an exciting new Australian label creating elegantly timeless resort wear for each and every unique woman. The AZURE Collections signature style exemplifies femininity, working with only natural fabrics and fibres in flattering silhouettes.

The focus for AZURE by Natalie Centaine is beautiful hand sewn embroideries, intricate hand beadings, distinctive textures and gorgeous colours.

Through Natalie’s many travels and experiences she has collaborated her inspirations to create a collection that celebrates a woman’s elegance, femininity and sophistication in an easy wear, free spirited and distinctive way. This allows a woman to celebrate their inner and outer beauty in a confident and flattering way.

AZURE by Natalie Centaine is proudly manufactured by a highly regarded third generation manufacturing company in India who adhere to world class manufacturing standards. The manufacturing house shares Natalie’s passion for all things natural, feminine and elegant and this is shown through the intricate attention to detail on every garment.

“A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous” – Coco Chanel

This phrase could easily be applied to Alison Barton Chow and her inspiring label, Coco Ribbon.

Founded in 2002 as an award-winning boutique with a celebrity following in London’s Notting Hill, Coco Ribbon today has evolved into a Bohemian-luxe fashion brand and online gift boutique.

FASHION: Using opulent prints, colours and embellishments our raison d’etre is to indulge you with the beautiful and timeless, bringing you garments we create to become treasured favourites.

LOVE: Covetable jewellery, accessories and gifts from around the world are cherry-picked for their personality, beauty or both and delivered lavishly presented in our chocolate and turquoise packaging.

INSPIRATION: As Founder and Creative Director originally from Sydney who has lived in Hong Kong, New York and London since 1996, Alison is excited to share her creations, finds and inspiration.

View the new Coco Ribbon range on stand 16B during Premiere Trade Event co-located with Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia from 8-12 April at Carriageworks, Sydney.

Debuting in 2011, the Nancy King brand is a mix of embellished and on trend footwear designs. Inspired by the effortless glamour of an embellished sandal, they are designed to make a grounding in the wearers wardrobe from vacation style to evening cocktails. The relaxed, easy wear styles reflect the ease of the Australian lifestyle.

Each collection is designed in Brisbane, Australia and handcrafted in Indonesia with top materials sourced from around the world. The brands ethos is to allow the wearer to step forward in vibrant, fun and effortlessly ellegant shoes.

Behind the brand, the designer Sharni Lindsay, brings her personal experiences from a high end fashion boutique background, international buying and travel to design pieces which represent the indelible brand, Nancy King.

See the Nancy King range on stand S57 during Premiere Trade Event co-located with Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia from 8-12 April at Carriageworks, Sydney.

For more information or to register, visit premiere.net.au