It was fashion for the masses and those in the know - and it worked.
The Melbourne Fashion Festival provided an outlet for all lovers of design and style, whether academic, visual or just plain wacky.
The blazing sun was at odds with some of the heavy winter hats, capes and knitwear on parade for the autumn winter collections which drew massive crowds in central Melbourne checking out the latest trends as part of the free sidewalk shows.
Down at the festival headquarters at Docklands' Central Pier, teenage girls and their mums dressed to the nines and queued for hours to get their nails done at sponsor L'Oreal's glitzy powder room.
A VIP yacht berthed at the pier became the place to be for air-kissing as a plethora of models, celebrities and industry types gathered each evening for more pre-runway action.
Festival director Karen Webster said the festival had already been declared a resounding success by interstate and international visitors.
"I haven't had any flat spots," she told AAP.
"I've been overwhelmed by the crowds."
While final attendances are yet to be determined, Ms Webster said all evidence suggested it had been the best fashion festival to date.
"The buzz is exceptional," she said.
"There was a different energy this year. Tickets sold out more quickly, we had more designers than ever before, and sponsorship was up.
"We knew there was a commitment from all our stakeholders."
Ms Webster said the festival had given emerging designers an opportunity to meet in an informal and creative environment.
"This is the only opportunity that our whole industry comes together," she said.
"It feels like we're doing something for each other."
Ms Webster, who has directed the festival for a decade, will now return to the RMIT Faculty of Fashion and Textiles as a program director.
The festival opened on Monday night when the Sidney Myer Music Bowl was transformed into a cocktail bar complete with grand piano and Myer pin-up girl Jennifer Hawkins modelling the department store's newest lines.
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra's accompanying sounds resonated through the translucent gauze screen.
Channelling 1980s meets 1940s fashion, Hawkins wore bold creations by local designers including Charlie Brown, Bettina Liano and Manning Cartell, with a final elegant appearance in Matthew Eager.
There was a moment of reflection, however, when a brigade of models strutted out in UK designer Alexander McQueen in tribute to the 40-year-old who died in February.
Runway events took sell-out shows on many journeys.
Aussie humour was the order of the day with label Antipodium sporting knitted goannas as part of its earth-toned collection.
Lunch time city workers and tourists turned out in force on Wednesday at Federation Square to see the Unzipped underwear parade featuring The Bondi Rescue Boys, who charmed in Holeproof jocks.
Former Victorian premier Steve Bracks' son Nick drew the most appreciation, modelling Jockey shorts and American football shoulder padding - and not much else.
Rio opted to use larger sized models in leopard print and polka dots, some carrying little dogs and oversized handbags, in an effort to promote underwear for all shapes and sizes.
More precarious moments during the week saw audiences hold their breath as models already teetering on sky-high stilettos negotiated the wire installations obstructing the main catwalk at Central Pier.
A Clockwork Orange theme for the more blokey Yen show on Thursday evening featuring the "droogs" dressed in white and carrying batons at the opening and close raised some eyebrows about its city violence implications.
But the mood remained light and no one was tossed into Port Phillip Bay.
Black was sometimes banished in some shows in preference for muted tones of marle, mushroom and dusty pink in chiffon, lace and silk fabrics.
The Metalicus show on Tuesday saw winter entirely banished in favour of vivid blues, yellows and lots of fuschia.
Geometric and digitally-produced designs also dominated catwalks.
International fashion experts from around the globe addressed breakfasts and forums, including Calvin Klein's women's creative director Francisco Costa and leading creative thinker Paul Bennett.
Students' designs were showcased and Malvern Town Hall hosted a touch of cabaret at the Renegades show.
And finally, fashionistas learnt that they would be right on trend if they purchased ankle boots, feathers, digital printed tunics or skirts (for females or males), Union Jack printed anything, printed stockings and of course, shoulder pads.
The festival will continue until Sunday.
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