I asked Mel if she could do a write-up about her MBFF experience on the weekend.  I hope that you enjoy reading a recount of her experience as much as I did!

Sunday welcomed Brisbane's Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival 2009, with the first day bringing much fanfare and excitement. I was lucky enough to visit Napoleon's Style Suite prior to the show with some friends, courtesy of OurBrisbane.com. The Style Suite was filled with beautiful furniture, make-up artists from all over the country and treats to die for... Not to mention vodka and cranberry cocktails to sip on while being made up! Charming lounge music played in the background as cameras set up for a very special interview - with the man himself, Napoleon Perdis. Not only was the interview revealing and inspiring on a personal level as well as professionally (the man is a branding genius!) but he was personable, charming and charismatic. Naturally I had to take a photo with my new bestie, and he kindly obliged.

L-R: Chi of Chi Designs, Napoleon, Mel and Casey of PPQAfter more than one cheeky cocktail at the Style Suite and complete with some fun new eye colours (am now obsessed with white eyeliner! *bliss*) and hot fake lashes, off we went to the Sponsors' lounge to rub shoulders with the A-List. Boasting a red carpet, fun little bottles of sparkling wine and the cutest black cushions I have ever seen, the sponsors' lounge more than entertained us for the next hour.

At 7pm it was time to make our way into the main hall for the Group Show. While listening to the expected few speeches and niceties, it was exciting to remember that being in the audience for this particular show should be appreciated as an historic moment - the first time the Festival has been held at City Hall. It had actually slipped my mind how beautiful City Hall is and the perfect venue for such an event - although it was my first fashion show so I'm sure there are those who may disagree.

Kicking off proceedings was Akira Isogawa launching his new collection, and the scene was set by a rainforest themed soundtrack and the flowing pieces featured orange and blue as well as darker colours and creams. Akira (who by the way is one of the cutest designers ever!) was followed by the collection by Carmargue which was filled with reds, blacks and creams. The collection was edgy, angular (can fashion be described as "angular"? I believe for me it can!) and dramatic. Easton Pearson was up next, and it was nice to see so many hats involved, particularly for me being such a hat person myself. Accessories and prints were all the rage with this collection, with some bright sash belts and satin ballet flats completing the pieces. Without question though, my absolute favourite from the night was Easton Pearson's purple dress - it was absolutely flawless and I want it!

The after-party was spent with friends discussing the outfits, who would buy what for where and what things I should be on the look out for when I visit New York. But, for this week at least, Brisbane is undoubtedly the fashion capital of the world.

Written by Melanie Roe

Similar Links

August FASHION Issue (eNews)

Brisbane Fashion Industry Meetup

Strategies for a Creative Industries Wiki (by the Co-Founders of Wikifashion)

Does Fashion Drive Music? Does Music Drive Fashion?

The Style Suite was furnished by Valiant Hire and I will have be posting up an entry about them soon.

Check out more events in Brisbane and surrounding areas at the main page.

To win one of two double passes to see Fame, what Famous Make-Up Connoisseur did Mel brush into at her MBFF experience?

Email your answer here by September 21 with the subject headline "Fame!" and your postal address.