runway

Bridal Fashion Week Spring 2014 is off to an ethereal start, thanks to Marchesa and Temperley Bridal. Of course, that can only mean one thing: here comes the bride (and again, and again, and again). The gowns — of which we have nothing but oohs and aahs to offer up as review — are stunning. From traditionally modest cuts adorned with vintage lace veils to princess-like ball skirts with corsage-embellished bodices to skin-revealing back details on even slinkier floor-length silhouettes, every bride will find The One in this lineup. And with Vera Wang, Oscar de la Renta, and Monique Lhuillier on deck, it's bound to be a gorgeous kind of (bridal fashion) weekend ahead. Click on to see the latest wedding-dress fare, and check back for more updates.

We sifted throught the strongest trends and narrowed down the hottest colours from fashion week, so now it's time to get personal. Picking the ultimate look from a favourite show is like choosing between children! There was a slew of killer exits and inspired collections at MBFWA, so we've had to be ruthless to pick our absolute top ten. From Christopher Esber's roughed-up take on tailoring to Toni Maticevski's brave new look to the dreamy creations that wafted down Alice McCall's catwalk, see who made the grade. 

Qantas is giving its staff a makeover of sorts, thanks to expat-Aussie designer Martin Grant. The 12,600 employees will be fitted out in the new, modish uniform — which is sure to turn heads in the departure lounge. The navy, fuchsia and red themed capsule includes a fitted three quarter-sleeved shift dress, a classic trouser suit, a belted trench coat and a felted trilby hat made from recycled platsic bottles. Ambassador Miranda Kerr flew in for the official launch at Sydney's Horden Pavillion yesterday, taking the new threads for a turn down the celeb-lined runway. Martin worked collaboratively with the staff on the design, and said of his inspiration, “In the initial stages of design, I started thinking about things associated with Australia and I kept coming back to the Qantas logo and the image that we all have of Qantas." It's certainly a bold look! Click through to zoom in on the new look, then tell us what you think by voting on our poll. 

Who better to ask for a fashion week snapshot than front row regular, Lara Bingle? Ms B attended a plethora of big-name shows at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia last week, and given her impeccable red carpet pedigree and keen interest in Aussie designers we thought she'd make the perfect guest editor for this best-looks-from-the-best-shows feature. Step inside to see Lara's top five, absolute favourite catwalk exits and how and where she intends to turn these runway looks into real-way outfits.

This year's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia was closed out in the most stylish of ways last night — with a runway party to welcome Elle magazine to the Australian media fold. Lara Bingle, Gracie Otto, Sam Worthington, Jesinta Campbell (and many more stars) joined newly-appointed editor-in-chief, Justine Cullen — formerly of Shop 'Til You Drop magazine — as she officially launched the magazine with a runway show featuring designs from the likes of Collette Dinnigan, Josh Goot and Zimmermann. Model, singer and TV presenter Erika Heynatz also joined the party — she took to the runway to sing Kylie Minogue's "Confide In Me" in French, to loud applause. Elle Australia's first issue will be on sale in late September; in the meantime, check out all the pictures from the extravagant welcoming party!

Suboo is making a stylish shift. The label started as a resort-focused beach brand, but there was not a beach umbrella or printed kaftan in sight at Suboo's Spring/Summer '13-'14 collection show. Architecturally-cut neoprene cocktail dress, sharply tailored dress-shorts and minimal shirting appealed to a new, city-slicker customer — one who likes to do the desk-to-bar dash in style. Futuristic detailing kept things slick, with exposed zippers, racer-necklines, sheer-inserts and high tech fabrications lending a athletic edge, while full skirted party dresses, sculpted cap sleeves and nifty sequinned prints softened the otherwise sci-fi vibe. 

• Colours: Black, white, grey, cobalt, tomato red, sky blue and lilac.
• Trends: Minimalism, tailoring, cut-outs, sheer, neoprene, front-split skirts, wrap-front skirts, black and white, jogger shorts, zips and racer-necklines.
• Key Looks: Sharply cut dresses and separates with angular detailing, modern swimwear and one killer LRD.
• Accessories: Ankle strap pumps in black and white. 

Finding fresh inspiration for what to wear to the fashion industry's biggest week can be tricky.  As we've discussed, you want to look good but feel comfortable — especially if you're pulling 12 hour days like us! We're turning to our fellow fashion editors from the US and UK for guidance. From Meredith Melling Burke from US Vogue's femme but classic ensembles to Kate Lanphear from US Elle's trademark all-black, to that Frenchy-cool that Emmanuelle Alt and Carine Roitfeld carry off so well — albeit in very different ways — we've rounded up our absolute favourite street style snaps of the world's best dressed editors for your perusal. Fashion week, come at me! 

We've sorted what we're wearing to fashion week next week, but what about the other essential bits that will see us through? We'll be bringing you all the action from the runway, front row and backstage — and all that round-the-clock coverage is made possible by the following (under $50!) genius buys. Wanna see our survival kit? 

I've got a case of the pre-fashion nerves. No, not because I'm presenting a collection nor am I walking the runway, but Alison (our POPSUGAR Health & Beauty editor), Marisa (our publisher) and myself will be spending next week basically living on-site at Carriageworks for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia. And that requires some very calculated wardrobe choices. You see, we spend all day on our feet madly writing runway reviews, snapping our favourite front row looks and interviewing the industry's crème de la crème, so we need to look presentable yet feel comfortable. They'll be no peacocking for the street style snapper-pack from us! Here's how I intend to walk the cool/comfy line.