Fashion Week returns with its first Welcome to Country and new focus on diversity

Cancelled 12 months ago due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Fashion Week returns in 2021 with some big changes.

Fashionistas will collectively dust off their heels and slip on their best couture as they make a long-awaited return to watch the catwalk today in what will be the first major fashion week done in person since the outbreak of Covid-19.

After being cancelled last year due to the pandemic, the five-day Australian Fashion Week returns to Carriageworks with a new look and feel after being completely revamped.

Supported by the City of Sydney and produced by IMG, Afterpay Australian Fashion Week, formerly known as Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, will focus on sustainability, accessibility, diversity and inclusion.

Montana Cox modelling fashion label Rumer in the lead up to Fashion Week. Pictured during a photo shoot in Beaconsfield. Picture: Jonathan Ng

For the first time ever, Fashion Week will kick off with a Welcome to Country as more than 70 designers showcase their collections.

Model Montana Cox, who has spent most of the pandemic in Europe, told Confidential that she’s thrilled to return to the runway after a two-year hiatus.

“I’m so excited to be walking in the shows because I’m usually away for Australian Fashion Week so it’s nice to be home and doing shows, it’s going to be a lot of fun,” said Cox.

“I think it’s been a couple of years [between runways] so I’m excited to get my heels out.

“I’m going to be closing for Rumer so it’s going to be fun. I feel like I haven’t walked in a while so I’m going to get my strut on.”

Montana Cox and Amer Athiu (right) modelling fashion label RUMER in the lead up to Fashion Week. Pictured during a photo shoot in Beaconsfield. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The highly-anticipated event will mark the first major in-person fashion show anywhere in the world in over a year, with organisers adhering to strict social distancing guidelines.

With borders shut, local designers have been forced to think outside the box to reach foreign buyers.

Designer Nikita Sernack, founder of Nookie, will debut her first collection from her new venture Rumer for the first time on Thursday and she said she’s excited to be back in action.

“I’m feeling very honoured to be a part of Australian Fashion Week this year, especially being a historic post-pandemic occasion... globally the first in-person Fashion Week since the outbreak of Covid,” Sernack said.

“In planning the show, we are thinking about wider experience to be delivered digitally. With international buyers not on the ground and a global audience of consumers on screens, we want to create innovative content for them to experience the essence and voice of the brand.”

Australian Fashion Week will run from May 31 to June 4 in Sydney.