It was day three of the Rosemount Australian Fashion Week 2009, and it was time for Marnie Skillings to shine once more. This Australian designer debuted her fashion label in 2000 as part of a ready-to-wear collection with three other graduates from Fashion Design School in Sydney.

This first designer collection showed that Skillings singular talents to combine a sophisticated feel, cut, colour, print and texture with a definite sense of fun. Her designs are all underpinned by a narrative thread, making her collections a one of a kind story.

Skillings fashion label is recognised for her use of natural fabrics, original prints and her ability to design clothing that is wearable, (unlike some of the odd combinations no one could wear except on the catwalk).

The clothing in Marnie Skillings collections have a personality of their own, yet don’t dictate your style. Her garments have been described as extremely versatile and don’t trap you into wearing the season’s style in a certain way.

“It’s (her style) for a woman who wants to think about what she’s wearing, to take an intellectual approach, rather than be told: ‘bang! this is the look of the season, and this is how it’s worn.’”

Skillings has been lucky enough to have been recognised both internationally and overseas and has featured in fashion editorials in Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, Nylon, Marie Claire and In-Style. Her fashion label has a wide following with celebrities such as Australian Kylie Minogue and American “The OC” star Mischa Barton.

Her boutiques are found throughout Australia and overseas in Italy, Canada, Indonesia and the USA.