Sydney, May 8, 2002/FWD/ --- Models Maggie Rizer and Missy Rayder probably thought they were past the point of doing a car show; evidently, they were wrong.

For the opening ceremony of Australian Fashion Week, which is sponsored by Mercedes, Rizer and Rayder had to strut down a raised catwalk and huddle next to a spanking new silver Mercedes CLK 500 coupe as it slowly gyrated on a circular podium.

It was, to say the least, a peculiar reception for the models, who were billed as the week's guests of honor.

Happily, once that opening was over, Sydney's annual fashion event, which has taken place every May since 1996, was off to a good beginning.

Designer Paablo Nevada staged an upbeat multimedia event in lieu of a conventional runway show. Sporty models took over a grass-covered space that resembled a football field, while Roy and H.G., two local comedians and sports commentators, narrated the girls' every move.

"Football meets fabric," was how they described a series of 40s-inspired, frilly tomato and cream bordello dresses, cut on the bias and accessorized with eye-catching, striped boots.

Nevada also showed lightweight denim dresses, asymmetric hem skirts with plenty of flounce and an assortment of ruched, twisted tops.

For the finale, a team of pom-pom toting, black-clad cheerleaders took over the stage, performing kitschy choreography.

Australia's new revelation is Toni Maticevski, whose comparatively low-key presentation followed Nevada's high-energy happening.

The Melbourne-based designer of Macedonian descent honed his skills during the late nineties working for Donna Karan in New York and Cerruti in Paris before returning down under to launch his signature line.

Maticevski's controlled, powerful collection capitalized on the designer's impressive way with light, fluid silhouettes.

A multihued silk chiffon sunray mini-dress revealed Maticevski's keen understanding of pleating; a frothy organza cloud of black, mercilessly cropped at the thigh, brought to mind the architectural whims of Cristóbal Balenciaga.

Sheer, paneled evening gowns-some of which were toughened up with leather insets-were imposing but never overwhelming.

For the time being, Maticevski only sells his designs in Australia, but after this auspicious collection, that's bound to change.