From humble beginnings to designer boutiques and flagship stores, ask any leading fashion designer and most will tell you it’s a tough trip to the top.

But inspired by everyone from Lisa Ho to Toni Maticevski our youngest talents are working hard to break into one incredibly difficult and highly competitive industry.

Recognizing the plight of these young aspiring fashion designers, recent design grad Amy Woodhead founded StyleXpose, an online shopping and fashion events company and platform from which the up and coming can showcase and sell their collections.

This September, the works of 12 young designers will hit the runway for the annual StyleXpose Fashion Show, each vying for a chance to sell their collections for a limited time at Mint Shop Manly and a three-month contract with W Publicity. Their designs will hit the backs of several aspiring models, who themselves will compete for a one-year modeling contract with W Model Management.

Each Wednesday from Aug 31 to Sep 28, Manly’s Sugar Lounge will see four designers showcase their collections. With 3 heats, the winner of each (as judged by fashion industry experts) will compete in the Grand Final on Sep 28 against a ‘wild card’ entrant chosen by online voters (that’s you) with each show to be filmed then posted on the StyleXpose website.

Heat 1 sees clean lines, understated sophistication and young love by Dombrovskis; girly and romantic vintage fabrics with a funky edge by Lucy Lane Vintage; Claire Westwood for Fifties Frocks and Lauren Damelian with a style she describes as juxtaposing art. Nerdia Bourne from ’11 Project Runway Australia will also feature.

Heat 2 welcomes Sophie Vidler’s label Sovil; the feminine, flirty and sophisticated designs of Genevieve Laurent and Life of Charlie for boho chic with a New York twist. Sophia Polak’s ‘Addicted to Love’ collection; Ly Yin’s label Evyie; Natalia De Martin’s The Last Romantic and Suzi Rose will battle it out in Heat 3.

So get along to one or all. You’ll listen to DJ, the cest c’hic Claire Murphy while perusing pieces courtesy of possibly our next Alannah Hill.

What: Style Expose Fashion Show 2011
Where: Sugar Lounge. 42 North Steyne, Manly.
When: Wed 31st, Sep 7th, Sep 18th, Sep 28th 2011 | 8pm
Details: stylexpose.com