Bora’s (designer Hwa Sook Lee Bora) latest couture creations are based around inspiration and fashion vision. Using oriental lace and exquisite detail in beading and layering, Bora’s ultra-feminine look is funky and sassy. Bora is well known for her unique stand-alone style that is always flamboyant yet timeless.  Bora has an enormous following in Korea yet Brisbane is where her studio design magic happens and her Brisbane Arcade store has been a fixture of the Arcade since 2000. While Bora has many career highlights, she is best known for designing the evening gowns that that Jennifer Hawkins wore throughout her journey to Miss Universe in 2004 including the famous gold beaded gown she was crowned in. One of the most anticipated designers lining up for the Brisbane Arcade Group Show is multi-award winning and RAQ Fashion Hall of Famer, Daniel Lightfoot. Daniel will be making his long awaited return to the runway following the recent opening of his design studio in Brisbane Arcade. For Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival, Daniel is said to be preparing a breathtaking entirely black collection of evening wear featuring Daniel’s signature sleek silhouettes accentuated by stunning embellishments of sequins and Swarovski crystals to give glimmer and sparkle.  The whimsical collection features beautiful georgette, jersey and chiffon fabrics. “Look out for plunging necklines, sheer panels and cut out features that will give a sensual look and feel,” Daniel said. Brisbane’s charming maestro of bridal gowns, Brad Webb of Darb Bridal Couture – who is never one to shy away from wow factor, presence and sheer magnificence – will be the finale to the Brisbane Arcade Group Show. Brad says his collection this year is titled “Back to Basics” drawing on inspirations and techniques of classic tailoring but still having a modern twist. “The laces are from some of the most beautiful European fabric houses throughout the UK, France and Italy.  As for the rest, well, you need to come along on the night to see the result,” Brad said. Brisbane Arcade’s resident sisters of chic and decadent European glamour, Bronwyn and Marabeth Smith of Irma J Smith House of Fashion will be making their Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival debut. The talented sister duo pride themselves on mantras of “life’s too short to wear boring clothes” and “always be overdressed rather than overlooked”.  Their divine and classically silhouetted suits and evening gowns use the most sublime European fabrics, vivid colours and faultless workmanship to create head turning allure. In exciting news for younger glamour seekers who desire the ultimate in elegance, Irma J Smith House of Fashion, which has historically been high end bespoke fashion, will be launching their new ready-to-wear younger label, Miss Smith Collections. The Irma J Smith House of Fashion collection is sure to be another fashion triumph combining colour with class together with Bronwyn and Marabeth’s own special brand of design passion. The Miss Smith Collections label will use colourful laser cut European silks and embroidered linens to bring old worldly glamour to the modern woman. Quirky and distinctive Australian label, Maiocchi (designer Deanne Mayocchi) will be showcasing its romantic and dreamy Spring 2014 collection titled “Kiss and Tell”. Maiocchi has drawn inspiration from classic ladylike fifties shapes and fancy floral prints to create a collection perfectly placed to flatter every curve. Designed with the Maiocchi customer in mind, Kiss and Tellfeatures perfectly pretty dresses and natty little jackets ideal for those mild spring days. Inspired by young dreamy spring love, the collection is made up of fun frocks and fancy separates, perfect for work and play (or a romantic rendezvous!). Pia du Pradal’s ladylike elegance is lauded by many a stylish lady including the Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO.  Pia du Pradal Couture made international headlines  and acclaim when the former Governor-General of Australia wore a spectacular custom designed Pia du Pradal silk brocade suit to the royal wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011. Pia du Pradal’s 2014 Spring Summer collection pays homage to natural fibres – in particular cotton – inspired by Pia’s recent visits to Queensland’s cotton growing region, Goondiwindi. Pia has used bright colours, stunning florals, classic 50s style shapes in suits and dresses with signature features like bows to create a feminine and stunning new collection. Julie Tengdahl’s eponymous label will launch a vibrant spring/summer collection, freesoul, at Fashion Festival. The designs will feature a series of limited edition printed fabrics that were the result of a collaboration between Tengdahl and award-winning Brisbane artist, Claudia Husband. “My recent travels to Europe, India and Asia have been a massive influence, with luxury French fabrics layered against exotic artisan craft embellishments,” Julie said. “The resulting collection is sensual, rich, exotic and explores the design commonalities shared between cultures and locations across the world; from East to West. It has a very free-spirited vibe,” she said. Brisbane Arcade’s program of events during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival, Brisbane 2014: Accessories in Bloom (5.30pm to 7pm, Tuesday, 26August) Dazzling cocktail evening showcase of Brisbane Arcade’s jewellery designers, millinery, handbags, shoes and all things glamorous to bring any outfit to life.  Hosted by model and TV presenter, Sharen Kenny. Where: Brisbane Arcade Street Level Tickets: $50 including food and beverages via www.mbff.com.au Brisbane Arcade Group Show (7pm, Wednesday, 27 August) Bora, Daniel Lightfoot, Darb Bridal Couture, Irma J Smith House of Fashion, Maiocchi, Pia du Pradal and Tengdahl Australia. Where: City Hall main auditorium Tickets: $54 via www.mbff.com.au Fashion Oasis free lunchtime parades (12pm, 1pm and 2pm, Friday, 29 August) Highlights from the latest collections of Brisbane Arcade’s designers with opportunities to meet the designers in person. Where: Brisbane Arcade Street Level   Body Shop “Lip Express” Makeover Station (daily through Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival) When: 11am to 12pm daily (Monday, 25 August to Friday, 29 August) and in-store until 7pm before the Brisbane Arcade Group Show (Wednesday, 27 August) Where: Brisbane Arcade Street Level and Body Shop (Shop 2, 160 Queen Street Mall)   Brisbane Arcade fashionable lunches (daily through Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival) Brisbane Arcade’s gourmet eateries, Keri Craig Emporium and Room with Roses will be offering very fashionable lunch deals throughout Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival, Brisbane. Keri Craig Emporium: Famous fresh sandcrab sandwiches and a glass of bubbly for $25 Room with Roses: 80’s Nostalgia menu, two courses for $37 with choices including mains of Barramundi with a macadamia herb crust or Beef Burgundy Pie together with dessert choices of Crème Brûlée or Bread and Butter Pudding. Since 1923 and long before Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall was dotted with concept stores, multi-level shopping centres, superstores and the like, the city’s consummate consumers have flocked to Brisbane Arcade to enjoy couture fashion, jewellery, tailors and other shopping experiences. Brisbane Arcade has been synonymous with Queensland’s leading fashion designers and houses.  Some of the city’s best known and most highly decorated designers have been headquartered at Brisbane Arcade including Gwen Gillam, Harvey Graham, Michael Klease, Anthony Leigh Dower, Royce Facy, Irma J Smith, Debra Kolkka, Adam R Dixon, Lydia Pearson (of Easton Pearson fame) and Keri Craig. Today, Brisbane Arcade’s leading designers include Bora, Daniel Lightfoot, Darb Bridal Couture, Irma J Smith House of Fashion, Maiocchi, Pia du Pradal and Tengdahl Australia along with other fashion retailers plus leading jewellery and accessories designers and retailers. For further information about Brisbane Arcade, visit www.brisbanearcade.com.au  ]]>