It might be called the Afterpay Australian Fashion Week, but as events kicked off on Monday the man who gave it the name was nowhere to be seen.

Former jewellery retailer Nick Molnar has long been a friend to Australia’s fashion industry. And it’s long been friends with him, growing his business and turning him into a billionaire before his 30th birthday. So many were surprised that he wasn’t at last week’s launch party, nor the opening show, nor anything at all until Wednesday night.