Sydney is arguably the heart of Australian festivals. Some of the biggest, brightest and most exhilarating events take place in the NSW capital, but it's not all about art, dancing, music and sports. Fashion has its place in the major annual event calendar with the annual Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia

You might not imagine a designer car manufacturer such as Mercedes-Benz would be hosting a fashion week, as petrol heads and fashion lovers don't stereotypically mix. However, the German marque is more than a suitable host when you truly examine the luxury and sheer style behind every single one of its vehicles.

Regardless of your opinion on cars, the Sydney edition of Mercedes-Benz' internationally renowned Fashion Week is hitting local shores from April 12 to 16, and is an absolute must for anyone with an inspired passion for fashion.

For those few illustrious days, the NSW capital will become the hot spot for red carpet celebrities, high class fashion designers and esteemed retailers. The week is Australia's leading fashion event, providing a glimpse at the current spring and summer collections designed by our top local brands.

Though the week officially begins on April 12, there is only one show to be had on that day - 'Mercedes-Benz Presents Ellery', one of Western Australia's top names.

Following that, on April 13, are the official opening ceremonies. These start at 9am with the official Destination NSW welcome, followed by the Opening Show at 10am.

From here, well, you'll have to see it to believe it. Every day, at a number of locations around the city, there will be numerous runway shows and fashion extravaganzas as Australia's best and boldest showcase their ranges to an awe-struck audience. You can expect to see names such as One Fell Swoop, Alex Perry and New Zealand's Zambesi.

As well as the shows themselves, there will also be a number of industry events taking place during the week. These include insightful Industry Seminars and the Innovators Fashion Design Studio.

Sydney travel information

With multiple showcases happening each day during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia, it's essential to ensure you can quickly and easily get between them. No doubt you will also want to do it cleanly, if you are wearing your own fabulous outfit to each runway event.

For that reason, though you could easily hop on any one of TransportNSW's buses, trains or ferries, you may also want to consider the taxi options within Sydney. Obviously the service that will suit you best largely depends on your budget and travel requirements, though look out for names such as Taxis Combined, Silver Service, St George Cabs and Legion Cabs, as they all operate in Sydney.

Where to stay

When you are attending a major annual fashion event such as this one, you need to stay in a modern, comfortable hotel that suits your own style. For this reason, for your holiday accommodation in Sydney, consider staying at one of our refined Mantra CBD properties.

Mantra 2 Bond Street is located within easy walking distance of the city's famous Circular Quay area - including the Sydney Opera House, as well as the Royal Botanic Gardens and Observatory Hill Park. If you're travelling by yourself or just with a partner, an executive studio apartment may be perfect for you. However, for those travelling with a band of fellow fashion enthusiasts, the three-bedroom penthouse apartment may be more suitable.

Mantra on Kent, on the other hand, is perfectly located next to Darling Harbour, one of the cultural and dining hubs of the CBD. This area of the city will always hold a new, exciting dining location to try between shows, as well as plenty of other tourist attractions. The hotel itself boasts a wide enough variety of room types to suit any size of group, while the daily breakfast will give you the energy needed to celebrate Australia's fashion industry.