SYDNEY, Apr 27, 2006/ FW/ --- 236 years ago today Cook sailed into Australian waters, little was he ever predicting that Terra Australis would ever have become a fashion Mecca for the southern hemisphere.

Day two at MAFW proved that bare backs and the 80’s are a spring summer 2006 trend to stay and that even ladies know how to dress for the sun as the shows beached up and shapes became more defined with names like Marnie Skillings making a big impression after a fairly ordinary day one.

White Suede this morning takes the feminine casual and plays with alternating volumes of tulip skirts and box pleated fronts (as do many other designers), plunging necklines and silk chiffon layers made up of cool summer bold colours that alternate with floral print before butterfly wing sleeves take the stage.

New comers Ae’lkemi showed promise as a label to watch in the Ready To Wear 3 collections. The West Australian duo has a strong accessory following with both international and national buyers paying close attention.

Necklines are redefined on pretty summer printed dresses as elegance and tailoring make it to the forefront and paper bag waistlines assist the sensual movement of feminine curves.

World from New Zealand called their collection 33, simple and effective as it was in fact their 33rd collection. Hence the obvious was on the cards from the start, so with their creative philosophy being celebrated they paired postmodern excessive little tailored multi coloured jackets with hot pants.

Where bustles and frills left off and mini pleats and lace gave in to Victoriana, side stripes on trousers for a brightly turquoise coloured James Dean looking lad took their place.

Far too often commercial communicability takes over what fashion week is supposed to be all about as designer’s concentrate on what is going to fill the department store shelves rather than fill fashion lovers fluttering hearts. Brother and sister team Camilla and Marc did a lovely collection fit for high tea that will see bulk buys.

Cupcakes and easy summer frocks from simple clean cuts in playful jersey, cotton, satin and jacquard follow slim silhouettes. Embellishments take the form of fabric piecing and reworking as lace is applied and hand embroidery is added to give an idea of the luxurious, however the collection all to often seemed a little under personalized. Royal blood is still difficult to buy; high tea is simply a manners ceremony easy to learn.

Alex Perry is the Australian eveningwear specialist who with seemingly apparent ease makes the average frock into a pretty party dress. So as Lily Cole hit the runway in a black and white frock with feather trim, the spotlights and cheers followed.

Red carpet looks beaded and embellished in flowing lengths dance in the cool evening breeze, but it is Perry’s simple cuts stripped back to slim lines that are the right mix of elegance and modernity that showed off his tailoring skill.