Taking place from May 12-18 at Carriageworks in Sydney, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia (MBFWA) showcases the biggest names in Sydney fashion alongside a curated program of emerging talent.

Kicking off with Aje, the upcoming week will see more than 30 000 guests from over 15 countries celebrating all things fashion. With 24 shows and seminars at Carriageworks and 19 offsite shows at locations from Luna Park to the Chinese Gardens of Friendship; as well as 70 designers showing in total, it's set to be a stacked week — and Backyard Opera will be in the thick of it.

This year, iconic Aussie designers Tigerlily are returning to the MBFWA runway after 17 years, Bec + Bridge after 3 years and Carla Zampatti after 5. Meanwhile, debuting at MBFWA this year are homegrown designers Bondi Born, bassike, P.E Nation, and Pared Eyewear, alongside the TAFE FDS Innovators and the St George NEXTGEN finalists.

As this years’ Mercedes-Benz Presents Designer, Aje was given the honour of officially opening Fashion Week with their eighth MBFWA show. At Campbell’s Stores in the Rocks, 600 guests watched the Resort 20 Collection light up the runway. Aje also has the honour of opening MBFWE - the Weekend Edition event following the main week of fashion-related festivities - with a reprisal show.

This year at MBFWA, reflecting the fashion industry as a whole, sustainability is the word. bassike have implemented an ethical and sustainable code of conduct, sustainability audits and zero jersey waste initiatives; Bondi Born utilise sustainably made swim fabrics; and Lee Mathews use natural fibres for increased comfort and durability. P.E Nation use biodegradable packaging and will debut their first-ever recycled active set on the MBFWA runway; while MNDATORY are premiering a ready-to-wear meets made-to-measure offering, allowing increased personalisation to increase operational and environmental sustainability. Tigerlily is leading the way in sustainability, as one of the first brands to introduce recycled fabrics to their sewn range. The brand have begun to use lighter, compostable satchels in place of boxes for online deliveries, and worked with ECONYL®, a regenerated nylon waste from landfills and oceans around the world since 2014. Additionally, Tigerlily have recently implemented their own innovative recycled lining fabric - a feature of sustainability often overlooked by designers.

For the full rundown of events coming up this week, hit up the schedule here. Otherwise, keep your devices tuned to Backyard Opera, for daily wraps and all the latest in 2019 Fashion Week street style. See you there ...