Since 2013 Fashfest has been giving local creatives the chance to showcase their talent in a spectacular four nights of fashion shows, from up-and-coming designers to musicians, models and makeup artists.

Canberra audiences might think they've come to know what to expect of the annual event, but in 2015 some new and exciting features will see it evolve to a whole new level.

The biggest change is shifting the event from its trademark venue at the Canberra Airport to a new and exciting CBD location.

"I'm very much all about what people have come to expect of the Fashfest brand itself and staying true to that, so the new venue is the National Convention Centre," Fashfest director Clint Hutchinson explains.

"I think this is a really exciting time for both Fashfest and the Convention Centre. We're going to show Canberra, as this event goes to another level, that what you can do in a venue like that is mind-blowing."

More than 1000 visitors per night can now be accommodated, thanks to the new venue and a special modular seating system being shipped in.

Each night of Fashfest 2015 will have a different theme – activist, inventor, cartographer, engineer – that will be reflected in the fashion, the music and the atmosphere created by lighting displays and short films.

Hutchinson says that new and cutting-edge production techniques will elevate the show this year and give audiences a really memorable experience.

"The show in visual terms is going to be something that people are going to see as very different, quite spectacular and not to be missed," he says.

"Plus we've got a new music director and some interesting things happening with the live music this year."

New music director Ashley Feraude, who is no stranger to the Fashfest stage, is bringing together an eclectic list of musicians for the event. This includes talented guitarist Jack Biilmann, local rapper Kayo Marbilus, dreamy vocalist Chanel Cole, and some collaborations between DJs and classical and jazz musicians that will really push the boundaries.

When it comes to the fashion, the event's focus remains on promoting independent labels. More than two dozen designers will send collections down the runway, with local favourites like Corr Blimey and Perpetually Five returning alongside some new graduates and a range of interstate and international labels.

Melbourne designer Mariska Thynne will be bringing her label The Professor's Daughter to Fashfest for the first time this year, and says she could not be more excited.

"Fashfest this year is going to be really good," she says.

"It will expose Canberra audiences to some interstate designers they'll want to keep an eye on.

"Nowadays with online shopping shipping everywhere and social media you can really get involved in brands. Getting to come to Fashfest is really great because audiences can get exposed to new designers and new pieces, and shop them online."

Thynne's Fashfest collection will bring splashes of colour to the runway, with interchangable pieces that all reflect the theme 'View from a Peranakan Window'.

"My collection is a continuation of my current range, and especially because it's Canberra I'll be putting more cold elements into it. So lots of winter coats, winter layering, which will be great fun," she says.

W: fashfest.com.au

2015 DESIGNERS

Assemblage Project

Belle Bird

Bird Keepers

BM Designs

Boho Bird

Braddon Tailors

Cameron and James

Corr Blimey

Hana Designs

Illusory Cog

Little Jane Lane

Luke Chiswell

MAAK

Melanie Child

Mimetic

Miranda Sakhino

Perpetually Five

Recollection

Rockstars and Royalty

Sovata

Tanja Von Behrens

The Bird Label

The Label

The Prodigal Daughter

The Professor's Daughter

Zilpah Tart

Ziyah

2015 MUSICIANS

Ced Nada and Julian Fung

Chanel Cole

Cris Clucas

Jack Biilmann

Jemist and Ben Bonnie

Kayo Marbilus

Magnifik

Mel Jade

Mondecreen

Takunda

Zachary Norman and Rob Van Aalst