Saturday Confidential’s Australian Fashion Week report card

Left without a sponsor late last year, Sydney’s style leaders were keen to see how Australian Fashion Week would fare in 2025. Here’s how Saturday Confidential rated it.

Australian Fashion Week wrapped up on Friday, here’s Saturday Confidential’s report card.

The Verdict

This is the first year AFW has been run by the Australian Fashion Council after IMG bailed on the event last year.

The verdict? According to the designers, guests, organisers and media we have spoken to, the four day-long event seems to have been a “unanimous success”, “calm” and “much less pretentious”.

Beare Park designer Gabrielle Pereira, pictured with fiance Sean Handlin, said she was happy with the mood of the event. Picture: Supplied

It was a more chilled vibe down at Carrigeworks, and designers say they were listened to this year, more so than in previous years.

“I think being part of a conversation and to be listened to ... this year just feels really supportive,” Beare Park designer Gabrielle Pereira said.

“We communicated to the AFC that we as a group of designers wanted the week to be more industry focused and I feel like ... that has been achieved.

“It does feel like an elevated, more aspirational version of Fashion Week.”

Outstanding soundtrack

Jordan Gogos bought the vibe. You couldn’t help but smile during his high-intensity, quirky, inclusive runway show, which was his fifth.

Desinger Jordan Gogos thanks the audience following his show. Picture: Getty Images

A model walks the runwayfor Beare Park. Picture: Getty Images

Front-row scandals

It’s not news that influencers are familiar fixture in the front row at AFW, taking precedence over fashion editors and stylists.

However, one has to wonder how many of Sopha Dophaa’s - real name Sophia Begg - 651,000 followers are actually buying the $600-plus outfits she’s posting about, considering the demographic following her is late-teens to early 20-year-olds.

Rebel with a cause

Dan Single’s return to AFW gave a glimpse of what fashion week was in its prime. The time when Australian fashion didn’t take itself too seriously and took risks.

Originality, creativity and a bit of a rebellion were on show at Single’s book launch for The Diary of a Noughtie Kid, and we loved it.

Designer Dan Single ahead of his book launchA Diary of a Noughtie Kid. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“It was so exciting to work on the book and relive all of the moments we created when we owned Ksubi,” Single said.

“All of the art, the prints, the posters, the slogans, the shop designs still looking great today, and are still being used today.”

Single and his crew descended on Club 77 on Friday night at The Bang Gang & Tom Trago take over to celebrate the 24th anniversary of the iconic club.

“The Bang Gang was our weekly celebration on Friday night so it made sense to end this week with the party,” he said.

“It’s the full-circle moment, bringing back the original crew that started it all, The Bang Gang at our spiritual home Club 77.”

Most exclusive off-schedule show

Without a doubt, it was Albus Lumen’s 10th anniversary show Amor, which was held in Darlinghurst followed by an intimate dinner at Fratelli Paradiso.

Backstage at the exclusive Albus Lumen show. Picture: Getty Images

Marina Afonina, one of the industry’s most adored designers, not only had top-tier guests watching her show (Bambi Northwood-Blyth, Jessica Gomes, Edwina McCann), but a bevy of high-profile beauties stormed the runway in her understated and elegant threads.

Actor Tessa James, Tiffany and Co PR manager Kate Bucceri, designer Jordan Gogos and PR Halyey Bonham were among them. 

The beauty looks (created by cult skincare brand RAAIE), make-up (by Filomena Natoli, the venue (Mass Practice Basement in Paddington) jewellery (Ryan Storer) were flawless.

Hottest tix

A ticket to the official AFW afterparty, which was thrown by Ksubi and Vogue Australia, was so lucrative that rejection emails were being sent out left, right and centre.

Many applying for a spot on the guest list were met with an e-mail which read: “We have been overwhelmed by the response for this event. Due to venue capacity constraints, we regret to inform you that you have been placed on a waitlist. At this time, your RSVP is not confirmed.”

Model Jess Hart kept a low profile. Picture: Matrix Media Group

Hart returned to the runway for Bianca Spender. Picture: Instagram/Biancaspender

A-lister walks sans wedding ring

Top Australian model Jess Hart made an appearance on Day 3 of AFW, when she walked in a sheer black dress for Bianca Spender.

It comes fresh from her split from race car driver fiance James Kirkham.

While Hart would usually have been out and about throughout AFW, she kept a low profile this year.

Oh baby

Model Victoria Lee is usually strutting down the runway throughout AFW, however this week she instead sat front row.

We believe she is days out from welcoming her firstborn child with partner, Matt McDonald.

Victoria Lee was happy to watch this year. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Cool-girl brand nails it again

She’s now taken part in three hugely celebrated AFW shows, however for pregnant Beare Park designer Gabriella Pereira, this was her favourite.

“I felt really confident in this collection and achieved what I set out to,” she said.

“I was so happy with the overall mood of the event, plus the music, and the model casing.”

Pereira says having a baby on board (her fiance is Sean Handlin, “puts everything into perspective”.

“I feel very healthy so I feel so lucky.

Megan McKenzie (left) and Rebecca Burrow at the Nagnata show. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Model tight-lipped on status of relationship

She put jet lag aside after flying in from the US and attended Nagnata, Beare Park, AJE, Vogue Vanguard and Bianca Spender’s shows this week, sitting in the FROW at all.

While brunette bombshell Megan MacKenzie wouldn’t weigh into the current status of her relationship with former KPMG deal-maker turned pub baron Jon Adgemis, she did reveal she has a few acting gigs and is even keen on working behind the scenes in the film industry.

“I had two auditions this week, which were really fun,” the actor told Confidential.

“I have a couple of projects but can’t really talk about them.

“I am interested in getting involved kind of deeper in the production side of things.”

Count Nikolai of Monpezat and Benedikte Thoustrap. Picture: Matrix Media Group

VVVIP

With a shortage of international A-listers, Count Nikolai of Monpezat would have to do.

The handsome and down-to-earth Danish royal was being fussed over left, right and centre throughout the week.

He was often the only guest asked if they would like a refreshment while sitting in the FROW.

Model Elyse Knowles swaps AFW for food and poo

With three kids under the age of four, we can’t really blame Elyse Knowles for steering clear of AFW this week.

The model took to social media to let her fans and followers know: “My fashion week. Fast paced, outfit changes from food and poo, all-nighters from kids partying and iconic memories made. Just the way I like it.”

Worth it?

There is still conjecture as to whether Australian Fashion Week is relevant and does its job of getting emerging and established designers world-renowned recognition.

It is believed the government contributed $2.5 million towards the event.

Whether that will translate into sales and brand awareness is yet to be seen. 

Do you have a story for The Daily Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email [e-mail]