Sydney's mantle as Australia's fashion capital was on show to the world from 28 April to 2 May when the city hosted the Rosemount Australian Fashion Week (RAFW) Spring Summer 2008/09 Collections.

RAFW is Australia's leading fashion show and attracts the Asia Pacific's best designers, international models and fashion buyers from around the world.

The NSW Government was a sponsor of RAFW and hosted a welcome function for international delegates and designers on Sunday night.

The 2008 RAFW attracted established and emerging designer brands, high profile buyers, media from around the world and international models who flew in specifically for the event.

Organisers said this year's event attracted the strongest line-up of international buyers to date including from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Singapore, Russia, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates.

RAFW included a week-long schedule of shows by around 100 fashion designers, the majority from NSW, together with an adjoining trade exhibition featuring the debut collections of about 25 emerging designers.

RAFW is a significant driver of new business for fashion designers and has helped launch the international careers of hundreds of local designers, including some of Australia's foremost fashion names.

Creative industries, such as fashion, have been targeted for innovation-led growth by the NSW Government as they play an important role in the cultural, creative and economic life of Sydney and NSW.

The NSW textile, clothing, footwear and leather (TCFL) manufacturing industry generates sales and services income of more than $3 billion each year - more than 30 per cent of the Australian total - and comprises about 2,000 enterprises, with particular strengths in fashion and clothing apparel, and technical textiles