Hello Celebritys

NEW York Fashion Week will have a distinct Australian flavour when it kicks off this week.

As New York-based Australian designer Michael Angel opens the prestigious show on Friday, he will be joined by top Sydney designer Alice McCall.

While she previously showed her label in London, the wider US market is her target.

"In London you have a hell of a lot of labels like us, very cool and a lot of people pioneering new styles," she said.

"But because the US is more commercial we've got a quirk so hopefully we'll stand out more."

The label is currently stocked in 18 stores in the US but the aim is to pick up accounts with major department stores and number of boutiques.

"Our agent is saying that within 12 months we can go to 100 stores, but we need to do a show in the US to do that," she said.

Mr. Angel, a 33-year-old designer and former stylist, grew up in Melbourne and worked for label Saba then took on roles at US surfwear giant Oakley before starting his own label, which is now in its second season.

The winter 2009 collection he is set to show at the opening show at the New York Fashion Week headquarters of Bryant Park will focus on '70s rock 'n' roll.