Why Fashion Week 2018 will be unlike any other
THIS year’s Fashion Week is set to be a model of multiculturalism as the industry puts Australia’s cultural diversity at the centre of its showcase event for the first time.
Confidential
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THIS year’s Fashion Week is set to be a model of multiculturalism as the industry puts Australia’s cultural diversity at the centre of its showcase event for the first time.
Agents and brokers are already pointing to parades featuring a wider range of girls from different backgrounds than ever before at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, which begins on May 13.
And with casting now in full swing, the models themselves have noticed designers looking for diversity.
It follows Vogue Australia’s groundbreaking April cover, which featured four models of diverse Australian backgrounds and the line Uniting Australian Fashion.
“Never before have we seen so many homegrown models at the top of their game from such diverse backgrounds,” Ms McCann told The Daily Telegraph.
Indigenous model Zhoe Trotter, who also has Chinese and German ancestors, said acceptance was a long time coming.
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“I feel like diversification is pretty new to Australia. It’s only been in the last year where I have seen a more inclusive shift where clients are open to a wide range of ethnicities as well that classic Australian look,” she said.
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“For too long indigenous women were made to feel ashamed of our background.
“Sam Harris opened up a lot of doors for women like me to stand up and stand out and say I’m proud of who I am and where I come from.”
Ms Trotter said the current shift was very welcome.
“(It shows) that no matter the colour of your skin, shape of your body or even how tall you are, each woman is unique and beautiful in their own way, and to have an agency like that is so refreshing. This is just the beginning,” she said.
For Malaysian-Singaporean model Raenee Sydney, who recently shot for Calvin Klein in the US, being confused for other Asian-Australian models has been a constant part of everyday life.
But she said there had been a shift and looked forward to even more advancements in acceptance.
“It’ll be a slow progression, but we are definitely getting there,” Ms Sydney said.
Industry veteran and head female agent at KULT Models Lizzi Clark said this year’s Fashion Week would be unlike any before.
“I think we will see a diverse range of models on catwalks this Fashion Week. Over the last few seasons we’ve seen the catwalk change in terms of the ethnic diversity. It’s fantastic to see,” Clark said.
She said it was crucial the industry represented the true face of Australia.
“In Australia we should celebrate our diverse and beautiful girls and guys. Fashion Week is a fantastic way for designers to showcase the diversity we’re so proud of,” Ms Clark said.
“The resort shows here attract a lot of international attention and it’s positive to see Aussie designers on the pulse and using girls and guys who reflect the diversity of modern Australia.”