LOS ANGELES, Jan 7, 2006/ FW/ --- Toni Maticevski, Aurelio Costarella, White Suede, Gail Sorronda, Wheels & Dollbaby, Dogstar and It Girl will show their latest collection on January 18, 2006 at the Palladium as part of the G’Day LA: Australia Week 2006 event in Los Angeles.

Entitled ‘Australia Designer Showcase’, it will be the largest ever Australian fashion show in the U.S., and just one of the many exciting events as Tourism Australia, together with Australia Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, Austrade, Qantas Airways in conjunction with Australia State Governments and key private sector highlight Australia as a tourist destination and trading post.

Part of the celebration is the feting of Australians who have made significant international contributions across various industries. This year’s honorees include the band INXS and actors Hugh Jackman and Olivia Newton John during the Penfolds Icon Gala Dinner which will be held at the Hollywood Palladium.

The gala also ushers in a week of events with something for everyone, from film and fashion to sport and education.

The public will have a chance to experience Aussie culture first-hand at the Wolf Blass Aussie Festival on Sunday, January 15 at UCLA. Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter, will kick-off the day with a one-hour live stage show featuring aboriginal dance group Tjapukai and the world's most endangered animals.

Following the show, the public is invited to enjoy visiting food and beverage concessions, tourism booths and Aussie entertainment before the action moves to the UCLA intramural field for the first official Australian Football League clash on US soil between the Sydney Swans and (North Melbourne) Kangaroos at 1:30pm.

Tickets are $15 adult, $10 child (3-15), free for under 3, $40 for Family of four (two adults, two children) and available on Ticketmaster at 213 480 3232 or www.australia-week.com. Event hours are 10:30am-4:00pm.