Austin designer Meiling Chang specializes in glamor knit wear with sexy party dresses. Using natural materials, Chang pulls from vintage fabrics and one-of-a-kind print fabrics for her looks.

The City of Austin also has had a direct impact on her design aesthetic, she said. She described her collection as "an artistic interpretation of Austin's unique environment."

"Austin fashion is fun, yet refined. It has a bold independence that doesn't fully conform with the standards of the fashion industry," Chang said. "This uniqueness is reflected in the city itself and influenced by it as well."

The open mix of culture creates a city made up of imaginative individuals open to creative experimentation. The heavy influence from fashionable big city "street looks" can be hard to miss on Austin sidewalks.

“With a fast growing city like Austin, where people are moving from all over the country, we see their personality and taste blending with the local style and giving it a very eclectic look," Jaya Shukla, a featured designer for Austin-based Bridal Motif, said.

With a studio on Rainey Street, Austin designer Tracy Tenpenny said she has an inside view to everyday Austin fashion.

"I consider Austin fashion to be laid back, but well thought out; not fussy. Austin embodies a plethora of different styles from bohemian-chic to couture," she said.

During Austin Fashion Week 2010, Austin creatives were encouraged to express their viewpoints, taking cues from the city's own diverse neighborhoods. This year the events, planned throughout various fashion districts will provided a platform for these emerging talents. Neighboring participants have had the opportunity to work closely, creating each communities own distinct voice.

"Austin fashion - and its designers - are conspicuously interesting. We make stuff because we love to and out of materials not normally considered for the applications we use. Malissa Long used real beetle wings, for example," said local jewelry designer Amanda Dimova. "Not to mention wildly creative products like Chia's super furry kitty ear hats (my kids love ‘em)."

With a fashion show almost every night, Austinites have a chance to explore the history, share the stories and connect the people that design for this city.

We’re sure to see earthly influences, from western cowhide to looks made with eco-friendly materials. We're also sure to see a romantic yearning for our city's past, with vintage-inspired recreations.

New lines will be drawn for those who like to draw outside of them. The only common thread will be: “There are no rules.”

"Austin fashion has always been on the cutting edge," local designer Lori Humphrey said. "Austinites are creative people with a knack for making a statement, whether it’s through body art, jewelry, or clothing, fashion here is about self expression. That's what makes this city so amazing!"

Stephanie Marie Fraide is a contributing fashion blogger.