The big tent in Chater Garden won't be back, but the fashion folk at events organiser IMG are bringing another Mastercard Luxury Week to the city. The details were announced at a press conference yesterday morning at the Four Seasons, which will also serve as this year's host venue. As IMG Fashion Asia-Pacific managing director Simon Lock (pictured with model ambassador Denise Keller) piled on the sales pitch, no superlatives were spared. By our count, the words luxury and luxurious were uttered by the three speakers and host about 30 times during the press conference - and one of them spoke in Cantonese. The shows that big-spending patrons of the sponsor credit card can get invited to include the returning collection from Diane von Furstenberg, Vera Wang and Oscar de la Renta, and new must-see shows such as those of Jean Paul Gaultier, Escada and Hong Kong's own Dorian Ho. As for the luxury week itself, IMG has a curious sense of time. Last year's week lasted 10 days, but this year it's only five, running from August 26 to 30 - but there will be multiple fashion shows each day.

The good news for some guests is they will no longer have to hike in high heels past the Legco building to a tent with suspect air conditioning and portable toilets, not to mention other unpredictable hazards that come with attending events not entirely indoors. 'We decided early not to risk our luck again with Hong Kong's crazy weather during the typhoon season,' Mr Lock said. The shows are invitation only, so start overspending now to become a premium-cardholder guest.