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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Easton Pearson (photographed by Alex Zotos). The pretty maids of Gabriel Scarvelli. Third Millennium. Terry Biviano—noted for its cabaret style (photographed by Alex Zotos). Gabriel Scarvelli. Third Millennium—a remarkable bird print. Gabriel Scarvelli—the designer, with model (as seen on article cover). Terry Biviano—note the gorgeous shoes (photographed by Alex Zotos).

   Some of the best collections of the week were created by relative newcomers to the fashion game.
   Gabriel Scarvelli lived up to all the pre-show hype with his much anticipated début collection.
   Like the costumes from the film Chicago, Scarvelli’s painstakingly hand-beaded gowns really were showstoppers. Each gown, some of which take up to 300 hours to construct, had fashionistas drooling in their seats and itching to break into a charleston. It was easy to see why his garments have found favour with the stylists at Sex and the City—they practically had ‘Ravish me’ written all over them.
   Brother-and-sister duo Camilla and Marc also delighted with their small collection of feminine and pretty clothing, christened ‘A Warm Sunday Afternoon’. Reminiscent of 1960s Parisian styling with its short hemlines and modish look, the duo chose a softer palette of very dainty shades like lemon yellow, beige and baby pink for their clothes and included some of the best polka dots seen all week.
   Although he has had his own label for the past seven years, this was Sydney-based designer Tim O’Connor’s first outing at MAFW and it was definitely worth the wait.
   His 1950s-inspired collection of day dresses and pantsuits, many made from fabrics emblazoned with a bamboo design created by Florence Broadhurst, impressed both the media and buyers alike and was rewarded with several new accounts.
   But fashion was only a part of the week’s excitement.
   MAFW’s new venue at Sydney’s Circular Quay provided the delegates with a stunning backdrop and something gorgeous to look at when the clothes proved to be either boring or disappointing.
   And then there was the continual cat-and-mouse game played with the seating director when each time the Lucire team found they had been relegated to standing room only we decided to bowl on up to the front row.
   People-watching, too, proved to be a lot of fun. Although genuine celebs were few and far between, there were plenty of the self-appointed variety to be found and they were a delight to watch as they pranced around the MAFW complex in their matching stiletto-shod feet, cargo pants or miniskirts and Barbie-blonde hair, making sure they were both seen and heard.
   After-parties also packed the schedule and my favourite by far was that thrown by Trade New Zealand, where a select group of media, buyers and designers were treated to some warm hospitality (a rarity during the week), some gorgeous New Zealand wine and, for those who were peckish, simply scrumptious mini-lamb pies.
   However, if there was one thing that MAFW highlighted for all in attendance, it was that meat pies, or any food product containing more than 10 calories. They are best avoided in the lead up to summer if you want to be truly fashionable next season. Summer will be an all-out flesh-fest—whether we like it or not. •

Nicole Curin-Birch is a freelance writer and a correspondent for Lucire.