Bingle, Jagger among the famous faces to kick-off fashion week

A BRIGHT Bingle and a junior Jagger kicked off Australia's upcoming celebration of style today as the fashion types geared up for the launch of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week on Monday.

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A BRIGHT Bingle and a junior Jagger kicked off Australia's upcoming celebration of style today as the fashion types geared up for the launch of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week on Monday.

The pair took starring roles on the first day of fashion, Lara as guest at a chic show from designer Rebecca Valance and Georgia May as the main model at a glam British Airways launch at Sydney airport.

Lara was happy to take her front row pew, with Jessica MacNamee and the crew from Vogue Australia, and said she is focusing on business plans and refining her commitments.

“My life has really started afresh and it’s a great feeling,’’ Lara said, after chic designer Rebecca Valance took her bow at the Ananas venue in The Rocks.

“I am not looking at doing any TV at the moment as I am really consolidating a proper business plan and sticking to it.’’

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Lara said she is heading to New York for a month in May and will then head back to Australia to unveil an underwear collection for the huge chain of Cotton On stores.

“My manager George Moskos and I are really concentrating to make the pieces really affordable, so it isn’t competing with pricier high-end designers.’’

Lara says the "family" atmosphere of the Cotton On company has really spurred her on and she is loving her new direction.

While the official Mercedes Benz Fashion Week schedule doesn’t kick off until next Monday, a few savvy designers like to get in this week, a few days before the media rush of over 40 shows that occur over the 5 day festival.

The Valance show, which featured exquisite European fabrics and pussy bow shirts worn with sleek pencil skirts is being joined by the always elegant Carla Zampatti, who will unveil her spring/summer collection tomorrow morning.

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With a slew of Logies concoctions dotted in the style mix, the next 10 days is proving to be one big festival of the frock.

In fine runway form today was Georgia May Jagger (model daughter of Mick J) who flew in this morning with her boyfriend Josh and was the special guest model on a revamped British Airways 777 300ER on the tarmac at Sydney airport.

Other celebrity guests at the British Airways style launch included Elka Whalan, James Kerley, Gracie Otto, nutritionist Zoe Bingley-Pullen and Myer’s main runway man, Kris Smith.

The new look cabins and routes were showcased as guests drank champagne and indulged in a Langham Hotel High Tea before Ms Jagger and a slew of models charged down the aisles.

“I flew in this morning and came pretty much straight to the launch so am going to have a few days on Hamilton Island before I come to fashion week next week.’’ Georgia May said.

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Asked what fashion shows she will be walking in, the model said she thinks it is just one, “but I don’t think I am allowed to say who it is yet,’’ she smiled.

Looking at the fashion week schedule, the designer names who stand out as possible Jagger-zones could be shows by Camilla, Romance was Born or Kate Sylvester but the money is on Georgia May walking for ‘Hello Elle’, the final show of Mercedes Fashion Week at the Carriageworks venue in Redfern.

While the new Elle has yet to be officially unveiled, with both Madison and Grazia mags having been left it its wake, the runway show will be Elle’s way of really saying "Hello Australia".