Countdown on for revamped Australian Fashion Week
Excitement is building for the revamped Australian Fashion Week. So what can you expect from it?
Confidential
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The countdown is on for the revamped Australian Fashion Week, which will kick off on May 12.
This year will mark the first time not-for-profit fashion body the Australian Fashion Council will be at the helm after IMG, the New York company that has owned and operated the event for almost 20 years, abruptly withdrew its support last year.
Kellie Hush, the new chief executive of Australian Fashion Week, says the event will now focus on “quality” over “quantity”.
What, where, when
Australian Fashion Week 2025 at Runways at Carriageworks and events all over Sydney from May 12 to May 16.
A family affair
Pip Edwards will be there with Ksubi, the brand she became the creative director of in April. Her ex-husband, Dan Single, will be there to release his newest product – Diary Of A Naughtie Kid. And rumour has it Single’s ex-wife, top model Bambi Northwood-Blyth, is set to make an appearance on the runway.
Chances are Edwards’ and Single’s teenage son, Justice, will also attend AFW.
Sportstars do Fashion Week
Hugely popular brand Farage will be showing at AFW for the first time since their inception 27 years ago. Founders Joe and Katy Farage have a long standing partnership with the Sydney Swans, so star players including Dane Rampe, Logan McDonald, Brodie Grundy and Justin McInerney will be sitting in their front row, along with Sydney Swans AFLW star and co-captain Chloe Molloy and her team members Montana Ham, Cynthia Hamilton and Ally Morphett. And with Grant Pearce styling menswear and Jess Pecoraro styling women's, it will no doubt be a memorable show.
Australia’s first international fashion trade event
Splash Sydney will showcase over 80 designer brands including Carla Zampatti, ESSE, Joseph & James, Ngali and Kivari.
Most buzz around
Carla Zampatti, Alix Higgins, AJE, Lee Matthews and Beare Park. Beare Park’s Gabriella Pereira, who recently announced her pregnancy, was one of the most celebrated designers last year. Nagnata will lure the cool and earthy Byron Bay crowd.
Milestones
Carla Zampatti (60 years)
Lee Mathews (25 years)
Romance was Born (20 years)
Mariam Seddiq (10 years)
Off schedule
Albus Lumen founder Marina Afonina will hold an intimate and exclusive show off schedule on the Thursday for her 10-year anniversary. Apparently just 100 of Afonina’s biggest supporters are set to attend.
We imagine the likes of actor Tessa James, Caroline Tran, Montarna McDonald and Deborah Symond O’Neil will be there. Another rumoured guest is also fashion success story Christopher Esber.
RAAIE, the cult New Zealand skincare brand, is sponsoring the skin look for the Albus Lumen show.
Designer most likely to lure A-list crowd
The style set are loving Beare Park at the moment and she drew a chic crowd last year.
Having been in the fashion industry for more than 60 years, Carla Zampatti has a legion of loyal fans, including former politician Julie Bishop, Delta Goodrem and television personalities Melissa Doyle and Samantha Armytage.
Well-known names set to attend
The usual style set will be there, including influencers Kate Waterhouse, Nadia Fairfax, Deborah Symond-O’Neil, Montarna McDonald, Sarah Ellen, Phoebe Burgess, Anna Heinrich, Elle Ferguson and Brooke Testoni.
Real Housewife of Sydney Sally Obermeder will likely make an appearance, as will models Montana Cox and Gemma Ward.
It’s highly likely we will see some ‘peacocking’ from wannabe influencers outside Carriageworks as well.
Likely to have diverse range of models
Gary Bigeni is apparently looking at a diverse cast for his show – male, female, non-binary, all ages, shapes and sizes. He has enlisted Toni & Guy to recreate individual hair looks for each model. Also, to reset backstage Gary will have Ice Baths for feet and face for models to rejuvenate between shows.
Media and buyers
In recent years, IMG was criticised for not making international buyers and media a priority.
However, this year they are back, with insiders saying the AFC is focusing on a refined schedule with designers who can deliver on collections and fulfil orders.
“We’ve got some great international delegates coming out,” Hush said.
“We’ve got Lisa Armstrong from The Telegraph in the UK. We’ve got Vogue runway and Vogue shopping coming from the US. We’ve got Harpers Bizarre Singapore, Grazia from the Middle East, and then we’ve got buyers from Nordstrom, Net-a-Porter, Moda Operani.”
Wrapping things up
Who better than Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales to wrap the week up.
The Romance Was Born designers will no doubt deliver one of the most talked-about shows of the week when they close the program with a runway show, celebrating 20 years.
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