Show Stoppers Melbourne 2011

Vanitizi - Stand 2404

There are beaded bags - and there are Vanitzi beaded bags, those fabulously exotic, handcrafted evening delights created for the brand established in early 2011 by Brisbane entrepreneur Sharon Chahoud. Along with an elegant range of Austrian crystal bags and clutches, they won Best New Product at a Brisbane fair in July.

Bel-Eve - Stand 2414

Combine elegant scarves with intricately hand-painted resin and wood beads and voila! - that stunning new accessory, the scarf-necklace.

"They're by a Spanish designer and just fabulous," says Melbourne's Eve Stewart, founder of Bel-Eve. "The scarves come in voile - beautiful colours such as aqua/cornflower blue and orange/fuchsia - as well as in velvet and jersey for Winter 2012."

Other new season offerings from Bel-Eve include resin-coated tortoiseshell bracelets from Spain, handmade raffia bags from the Philippines, richly embroidered caftans form India, a new line of one-size-fits-all leather belts and the latest collection from Trendi Bijoux, by renowned Tuscany jewellery designer, Anna Ciampolini.

Desti Saint - Stand 2202

East and West blend to perfection in Desti Saint's eponymous bag label, born just 18 months ago and delighting fashionistas in Singapore and London. Her evening clutches, in black or white hand-embossed goatskin, are exquisite. Desti's colourful new Italian leather handbag collection, Maddie, will be launched at Fashion Exposed.

Willows in Bloom - Stand 2304

When Kate Middleton attended Prince William's passing out parade at Sandhurst in 2006, she wore a pair of exquisite hand-made leather gloves by Serbian accessories designer Evica Milovanov-Penezic.

It was a small, but potent reminder that Serbia is rich in design talent and craftsmanship, and there will be a much larger one at Fashion Exposed when new Melbourne online boutique, Willows in Bloom, presents seven leading labels from the southeast European country.

"During the past couple of years, I've bought pieces from all of them during visits to Serbia and last Christmas, I decided to bring the labels to Australia," says Sandra Mitich, who along with Argentinean fashion designer, Virginia Molina Fernandez, launched Willows in Bloom in April.

"The world has only recently woken up to the fact that Serbia has so much talent, but now the word is out, especially since Elle did a lead story on Serbian designers. The reaction was: Omigod, they're fabulous! "

Joining Evica at Fashion Exposed will be Luna, Afrodite Mode Collection (AMC), Zekstra, Katrin, Da Lena and fine jewellery label, Nevena. They range from AMC's chic, edgy clothes to the stunning handbags by Da Lena's British-trained designer, Sandra Jankovic, who blends contemporary artistry with traditional handcrafts.

Evica has gone on to enjoy royal patronage. "Kate now has 10 pairs of gloves and I believe the Queen also wears them," says Sandra Mitich.   

Catherine Manuell Design - Stand 2400

"We have digitally printed poppies and hydrangeas; cherries, strawberries and tomatoes in our new collection - all very colourful for the new season," says Catherine Manuell, the dynamic Melbourne designer who transformed luggage into a fashion statement with wide international appeal.

Along with luggage in a large range of colours, prints and materials are handbags, wallets and accessories including scarves and belts. "The belts are new," says Catherine. So is a lightweight executive luggage range which will also be presented at Bags & Accessories.

Aliss & Ena - Stand 2308

Agate, mother-of-pearl, coral, turquoise, shell - their by-the-sea freshness is given a bohemian edge for the new season by Aliss & Ena's Alex Servos. The Melbourne designer's standouts include cuff bracelets with a mosaic effect and necklaces with chain fringing or featuring agate and woven leather cord. Some cool new bags too.

Banjara Jewellery - Stand 2516

Melbourne jewellery designer Danielle Hill is a gypsy at heart. She found kindred spirits among India's nomadic Banjara people - the inspiration for Banjara Jewellery, which she recently co-founded with fellow traveller, Elise Shabat. Fine sterling silver is the base for Danielle's delicately hand-crafted and embellished pieces.

To see a full list of exhibitors visit who's exhibiting