It's hard to believe that Australia's biggest fashion event of the year is almost upon us yet again. Now entering its 25th year, Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia now firmly sits as the country's premier sartorial event. Plus, it provides the perfect opportunity to pull together your best street style outfits and celebrate the talent of homegrown designers. 

Coming back to Sydney in May, MBFWA marks the biggest week for Aussie labels, complete with visiting celebrities and designers, and plenty of open-to-the-public events. Now the place for current and emerging designers to make a name in Australia's increasingly crowded style arena, it's increasingly becomig a showcase to get the industry’s most important eyes on Australian collections.

Of course, it being Australia's premier fashion event, MBFWA now without fail draws the most prominent members of Sydney's street style set, from classic fashion and tailoring influencers, to those not afraid to push the boundaries of streetwear and high fashion. It makes for a hell of a sight to behold.

And like in other capital cities, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia is also the country’s calendar highlight when it comes to fashion.

Once again, MBFWA will showcase Australia's finest ready-to-wear Resort collections for the upcoming year — a platform that's launched brands from Double Rainbouu to PE Nation to international success. And while the week itself still carries a heavily female slant, menswear is taking on an increasing presence, with brands like Ten Pieces, Bassike and Song For The Mute all having helped build their brand there.

It's always worth tuning in to see the best newcomers at the NextGen show as well, while the indigenous showcase, featuring Australian fashion's up and comers from First Nations communities, is now a must-watch.

“Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia is an event the global fashion industry looks to as a leader, and the backdrop of Sydney—Australia’s fashion capital—is the perfect fit,” said Stuart Ayres, minister for jobs, investment, tourism and Western Sydney, per a recent release.

Below, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about this year's event. 

What Dates Does MBFWA Fall On? 

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia will run from 11 May - 15 May 2020.  

Where Will MBFWA Be Held? 

The base for MBFWA is at Carriageworks in Sydney, however, some designers choose to show elsewhere. 

Who Will Show At MBFWA?

The schedule and the full list of designers have been confirmed, with a few highlights. This year, the highly-anticipated schedule will include Resort 2021 collections from returning designers Aje, Anna Quan, Bec + Bridge, Bondi Born and Ten Pieces, Ixiah and Lillian Khallouf. As part of MBFWA’s first-ever integrated consumer offering, MBFWA: The Experience, designers alice McCALL, Aqua Blu, bassike, Ixiah, Lillian Khallouf, Ginger & Smart, Mariam Seddiq, Matteau, Steven Khalil, Tigerlily and We Are Kindred will offer access to consumers through a select number of tickets at their shows with MBFWA: The Experience. Packages are available here with ticket prices ranging from $99 to $289.

What Are Some Of This Year's Highlights?

This year's event will see some exciting events hit the runway. 

Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation (DAAFF)

In their MBFWA debut, DAAFF will present The Australian Indigenous Fashion Showcase for the industry and consumers that celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, culture and creativity through fashion, and will be the first presentation for many of the participating designers on Sydney’s global stage.

NextGen

NextGen, IMG’s programme that supports and mentors emerging Australian fashion designers, will return to the schedule with a consumer-integrated show. The programme has helped discover and launch the careers of Akira, Camilla and Marc, Kate Sylvester and sass & bide at MBFWA since 1996.