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The countdown is on again for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia. The week, commencing April 30 will showcase some of Australia’s biggest designers including Akira, Ellery, Zimmermann, Kirrily Johnston, Toni Maticevski, Carl Kapp and Johanna Johnson all unveiling their collections to local and international fashion industry heavy weights

“The excitement is building in anticipation of what will hit the runways this season at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia and Romance was Born is a fitting kick off to the 2012 season. This schedule truly showcases the creativity and innovation of our talented Australian and visiting international designers from across Asia and North America,” says Jarrad Clark, Global Production Director, IMG Fashion.

The complete list of designer shows at MBFWA 2012 are: Aje, Akira, Alice McCall, An Ode to No One, Aurelio Costarella, Bec & Bridge, Bless’ed Are The Meek, Bowie, By Johnny, Camilla, Carl Kapp, Christopher Esber, Dylan Cooper, Ellery, Flowers For a Vagabond, Fernando Frisoni, Gail Sorronda, Gary Bigeni, Ginger & Smart, Hardwick by Mariana Hardwick, Jenny Kee, Jayson Brunsdon, Johanna Johnson, Kirrily Johnston, Kooey Australia, Ksubi, Lisa Ho, Lisa Maree, Manning Cartell, Magdalena Velevska, MATICEVSKI, Mens Show, Michael Lo Sordo, Miss Unkon, nANA jUDY, New Generation 1, New Generation 2, Oroton, Raffles International Designer Showcase, Romance was Born, Roopa Pemmaraju, Sara Phillips, Song for the Mute, Style Hong Kong, Suboo, Talulah, The Innovators, Toi Et Moi Sydney, Watson X Watson, Whitney Eve and WE by Whitney Eve, We Are Handsome and Zimmermann.

 For the official schedule visit http://australia.mbfashionweek.com/schedule

STEALBANKSY. STAY THE NIGHT, STEAL THE ART

The Art Series Hotel Group has received global media attention after challenging its guests to steal a $15,000 Banksy artwork which they got to keep if they removed it from the hotel without being caught.

Just one of a handful of signed and authenticated Banksys available in Australia, the famous street artist’s No Ball Games piece was stolen from The Blackman after just five days of hanging. The cunning Maura Tuohy pretended to be from an Art Series Hotel agency and told hotel staff she was asked to drive the painting to another hotel. Following intense questioning she then took the artwork out of the hotel, put it in her car, and returned 15 minutes later to brag.

The heist was a success and followed several failed attempts by other hotel guests including the hacking of three CCTV cameras focused on the Banksy, a listening device being placed underneath the desk at Reception and guests phoning Reception with housekeeping issues in an attempt to get them to step away from the painting. The campaign has received global attention and been extremely active in social media all around the world.

Guests who still want to get a chance to steal a Banksy of their own have until the 15th January to come and stay the night and steal the art. The next Banksy on offer is the iconic Pulp Fiction (this will be the last artwork).

Visit www.stealbanksy.com.au for more information.
Twitter: @stealbanksy
Facebook: facebook.com/artserieshotels

Hawthorn Mosman launched their exciting new Clicquot Summer Lounge on the 24th November designed by Coco Republic. The Clicquot Summer Lounge is the perfect spot to relax and celebrate summer, Champagne and good company. Chef Scott Parsons has carefully matched a selection of perfect bites to complement each of the Champagnes available.

We are super excited about this fantastic collaboration between these three amazing brands, the Clicquot Summer Lounge will run from now until February 2012 and will prove to be the ultimate summer venue.

Heesco for Art Series Hotels at Outpost

OUTPOST, on Cockatoo Island, is the largest street art festival in the Southern Hemisphere. Running until December the 11th it has transformed the gritty industrial spaces of Cockatoo Island into an explosion of urban art, with more than 150 artists from around the globe creating original works on site.

Curated by Sydney Harbour Federation Trust and aMBUSH Gallery the festival features exhibitions and forums that promise to immerse visitors into global street art culture.

Must-sees include George Shaw’s Oi You! collection boasting works by Os Gemeos, Swoon, Faile and the world’s best known and most influential street artist Banksy.

Award-winning Mongolian/Australian street artist Heesco is working with event sponsor Art Series Hotels; he has been spray painting during live events and working on large works – such as the Tassie Devils piece below. Art Series Hotels have also been running forum talks on Sunday afternoons on stimulating topics such as how to collect street art, the politics of street art and the future of the genre.

Escape the mainland and immerse yourself in street art on Cockatoo Island.
The Outpost Project is on at Cockatoo Island until December 11. Entry is free with a ferry ticket.