
Bec & Bridge at MBFWA. Image credit: GHD via Oscar Oscar Salons
Spring Summer 12/13 Collections Come to a Close as New Changes Announced for 2013 Season
The Spring/Summer 2012-2013 Collections came to a close last week, and was raved by fashion industry experts as “the best Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia to date.” Thousands of industry insiders, including buyers and media from around the world, saw over 80 designers present their newest collections over the course of the week.
Over the past few seasons, IMG Fashion, organisers of the event, have surveyed influential fashion designers and industry professionals on a number of topics relating to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia, and how the industry in Asia Pacific can better be serviced. Over 70% of those surveyed asked for the event to be moved to the last week of March, in order to better allow deliveries that coincide with the international fashion calendar, and allowing for increased business opportunities for designers.
As a result, beginning in 2013, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia will take place on the last week of March, specific dates to be released later in 2012. IMG Worldwide Fashion Events and Properties Managing Director, Peter Levy says, “We consider ourselves solution providers, and we always look at necessary solutions and what is best for the industry. The date change is an important evolution of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia to ensure we are maximizing business opportunities for the industry.”
As part of the changes to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia, to further enhance business opportunities arising from participation in the event, IMG Fashion will strategically align with key trade shows, the first being Premiere, to create greater critical mass, strengthening opportunities for designers to be supported 365 days a year rather than an event focused solely on the runway.
“I’m excited that Premiere will now fall under the immense Fashion industry spotlight of MBFWA. This alignment brings with it fantastic opportunities for both events. Premiere over the past 3 seasons has become more than the trade show for boutique labels, it hosts leading fashion business seminars and education forums- a comprehensive and strong trade event, perfectly suited to join forces with MBFWA. We will leverage the attendance of key global buyers to create even more opportunities for our Exhibitors and designers. By strategically timing our event to coincide with MBFWA, we create another resource for designers to maximize their business outcomes, network, be educated so buyers to maximize their visit”, Harvey Stockbridge, AEC Managing Director, organisers of Premiere, Fashion Exposed and Australian Shoe Fair.
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia will continue to work hand in hand with government entities to ensure designers leverage initiatives from key stakeholders, including; industry, government and the private sector. Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner says of the date change; “Moving Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia to an earlier date supports our ongoing efforts to help local designers develop more sustainable and successful businesses, and to grow the Australian fashion industry both locally and through export.”
In order to support designers who will be showing resort and cruise collections, IMG Fashion will also coordinate a schedule of presentations to promote designers who will be showing at this time and will utilise its global platform and industry toolkit, including The Portal, to give designers the unique advantage of using the same resources as those available at a centralized venue. The same will be true for designers showing autumn/winter collections in October; closing the loop on a year-round industry.
These changes are a result of ongoing talks with industry heavyweights, and another survey will be administered in the weeks to come to continue the dialogue and to ensure IMG Fashion is responding to the industry’s needs year round. Designers can expect to receive a new designer prospectus in early September. Further exciting announcements will be made around Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival Sydney, in August.