Confidential rates the highs and lows of Australian Fashion Week

From the hottest shows to the biggest flops and nuisances, here’s what caught Confidential’s eye as the style set partied at Australian Fashion Week.

The controversies and disappointments and the shows you didn’t want to miss at Australian Fashion Week.

The Fendi/Versace party

“The clothes, the bags the outfits … it was like straight out of Studio 54,” one attendee said of the Thursday night bash.

“The fun, the hair, the attitude was sky high.”

Organisers were inundated with emails, with everyone begging to get entry to the event which was held at their Margaret St store. However, it was the likes of model Chantal Monaghan, influencer Elle Ferguson, make-up artist Max May and publicist Camille Thioulouse who got their names on the exclusive list.

Mark Judge and Bachelor contestant Kiki Morris at Australian Fashion Week.

MOST CONTROVERSIAL GUEST

Mark Judge. The eastern suburbs bad boy-turned-socialite who has just returned home from Mexico was seen front row and centre at a number of AAFW shows this week.

“I wouldn’t call myself a fashionista, usually I am in an akubra hat on the farm or up at my house at Vaucluse, but I went to Bec and Bridge and I loved the naked dress,” Judge told Saturday Confidential.

“Day two I went to St Agni. I loved that, it was clean and fresh.”

Judge attended the week long event alongside former Bachelor contestant Kiki Morris and long-time pal, Pip Edwards.

HOTTEST TICKET IN TOWN

The Paco Robanne dinner, which was hosted by model and influencer Sarah Ellen.

Goss of the night was the fact former flames Pip Edwards and Dan Single spent a lot of time together.

When asked about the rendezvous, Single confirmed: “I attended the Paco Robanne dinner to support my best mate Sarah.

“I arrived solo after DJing in the IMG welcome to fashion week party, and yup, Pip was there too and I was hanging with her, cause I love and respect her as a friend and the mother of our beautiful son Justice.” 

Model Mimi Elashiry wore a wild lace outfit to the Paco Rabanne dinner. Picture: Instagram

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

The fact MAFS contestants, including Olivia Frazer, Nasser Sultan and Carolina Santos,
were sitting front row at a number of shows.

Also the fact some editors are taking a second row these days to TikTok celebs.

MOST DELAYED SHOW

Almost all of them. Guests were forced to wait more than 35-50 minutes to watch a number of brands send their models down the runway.

MOST SHOCKING OUTFIT

Among the masses of impeccably dressed Sydneysiders, there were too many shocking ensembles to count.

BIGGEST PEST

Married At First Sight groom Nasser Sultan, who had to be warned by security after annoying Phoebe Burgess.

Breakout new face Anna Siddiqui. Picture: Getty Images

ANNOYED THE MOST PEOPLE

While his venue (Crown Casino’s 88th floor) was on point, many notable faces of Michael Lo Sordo’s infamous girl gangs seemed to be missing at both his show and dinner after, with Filomena Natoli, Hayley Bonham, Kristin Fisher and many others nowhere to be seen.

Lo Sordo needs to rethink his guest list for 2023. It seems he may have forgotten those who helped get him where he is today.

COOLEST SHOW AND VENUE

Wynn Hymlan. The Auckland-based creatives show, which took place in an underground tunnel beneath Sydney’s Central station, was without a doubt the talk of the town.

Attendees told Saturday Confidential: “It was the only show that really had that cool, fashion show feel.”

His day two closing show, reminiscent of an underground party, marked the Kiwi’s fashion week debut in the Australian marketplace and he will no doubt reap the rewards.

Model Holly Brown walked a whopping 20 shows. Picture: Getty Images

MOST CONSISTENT DESIGNER

The 16-year-old brand Bassike has mastered the elevated basic and never fails to bring its
A-game.

Founders Deborah Sams and Mary Lou Ryan invited 100 of their close friends to a sit-down dinner at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Quayside Room, where they debuted their Resort 23 collection. Among them were Victoria Lee, Bridget Hollitt, Brooke Testoni, Kaitlyn Ham, Bella Thomas, Johnny Manuel, Samuel Barrie and Jordy Farrenkothen.

The much-loved Australian brand always puts on a fuss-free show, sending polished and eco-friendly looks down the runway.

A massive asset to the event.

BIGGEST COMPLAINT AMONG EXHIBITORS

IMG refusing some of their sponsors. 

BEST COMEBACK

Following a tumultuous few years following a diagnosis of stage-four non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2017, Gary Bigeni took four years away from the runway.

However this week he made people realise what they’ve been missing with his stunning Resort 23 collection which featured eye-catching handpainted pieces in silks, cottons, glitter, Italian jersey fabric and vegan leather items.

One of Bigeni’s bright designs. Picture: Justin Lloyd

TOP COMPLAINT AMONG ATTENDEES

The Star Bar, now named the The Afterpay Bar, used to be an exclusive, invite-only area, however it seems everyone and anyone can get access.

HOW MUCH WERE THE MODELS PAID THIS YEAR

Approximately $350 a show, which hasn’t changed in more than a decade.

BEST THREADS

Back from the brink, Oroton’s Sophie Holt proved why she is considered the best in the fashion biz once again with her chic spring garden-inspired Resort ’22 runway.

The Australian stalwart Oroton returned to AAFW for a second year in a row and this year’s show no doubt created the most buzz from the country’s most fashionable people.

The brand will no doubt cash in on their new found fans when they open the doors to their key corner location at The Intersection, at the juncture of Oxford St and Glenmore Rd.

BREAKOUT NEW FACE

Anna Siddiqui walked 15 shows and is a crowd favourite tipped to do big things in the industry.

MODEL WHO WALKED THE MOST SHOWS

Chic model Holly Brown, 21, walked a whopping 20 shows.

OVERHEARD ON THE RUNWAY

“Who are these people?”

“Who is that in the front row?”

“Couldn’t she just wear some Australian fashion for the week? We know she can afford Louis Vuitton but why not just support local labels?”

“Seems like diversity and inclusivity is the name of the game this year.”

BEST GOODIE BAG

Went to Karla Spetic who gave all her guests vibrators.

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