An insiders' guide to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week(0)

When Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia opens at Carriageworks in Sydney next month, you can expect a barrage of high heels, high design and, in the odd case, haute attitude. As your primer for what to expect from Australian fashion's week of weeks, we asked top industry identities for their insider's guides to what the week really involves, and how they survive it with their physical and mental wellbeing intact.

"image:Prom Gowns 2017
Each year the day before Fashion Week starts, I go down to the venue to scope out the lie of the land and advise on how to set up the lighting backstage, as I'm a backstage photographer. On the day I'll check out the model cards to see who is walking in the show, and then check out the clothes on the rack to get an idea of what I have to work with for the shots.

"For example, if Dion Lee (the designer opening Fashion Week) has a lot of structure and tailoring going on, you won't get those flowing looks like you would in the Zimmermann show, so I need to adjust my lens accordingly for that energy.

"There have been dramas at Fashion Week in Sydney for the past 20 years but the classic was an offsite event for (shoe designer) Terry Biviano sponsored by Volkswagen and (Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week founder) Simon Lock was trying to cover up the Volkswagen car outside before the guests arrived."

"My main focus during the week is to attend shows and appointments but I hope to have a few hours here and there to work in some shopping time and a bit of sightseeing!

"When packing for the shows, the most important thing is planning my looks in advance to ensure my case is as compact as possible, and that I utilise every item. I always include at least two options for the evening, because you never know what surprise invitations might pop up. I also travel with a hard-shell suitcase and a soft-shell suitcase; the hard-shell is for my clothing so that it can be laid flat, and the soft-shell is primarily for accessories, shoes and toiletries."
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