Nadia Bartel returns to Afterpay Australian Fashion Week with a minimalist homage to 80s power dressing

Nadia Bartel has made a head-turning return to Afterpay Australian Fashion Week, revealing new plans for the future of her style empire.

Models on the runway wearing Henne at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week. Picture: Getty Images

Nadia Bartel has heralded a new era in fashion.

The Henne founder staged her brand’s second runway show in as many years at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week in Sydney today, with a collection dubbed “Chroma”, amid international – and Australian – expansion plans for the business. Bartel revealed exclusively to Stellar that she will open Henne’s first retail store in Sydney “early next year”.

“We’re working on all of that at the moment,” Bartel said. “We’re looking for a location in Sydney. The space is going to feel very different to our [Melbourne] store.

“There is so much happening in Sydney. Our customer base is growing here a lot. There’s demand for another store, this state more than anywhere else.”

Nadia Bartel in Sydney for Afterpay Australian Fashion Week. Picture: MATRIX

Nadia Bartel is planning the expansion of her fashion label, Henne. Picture: MATRIX

Henne trio Michelle Ring, Nadia Bartel and Laura Broque. Picture: Getty Images for AAFW

With sharp blazers, tailored leather trousers, and high-neck ribbed kits in earthy tones, the collection would not look out of place in the stealth wealth, so-called “quiet luxury” wardrobe of Shiv Roy (Sarah Snook) on Succession. “It was inspired by the 80s and power dressing,” Bartel told Stellar, citing sartorial muses from supermodel Cindy Crawford to the late Princess Diana. “When you’re in really classic items that fit really well, you look so elevated. It’s the way I have always liked to dress.

“I just like a simple black dress with a high neck that fits really well. We also have a touch of Y2K inspiration,” Bartel noted. “I feel like the 2000s had a lot of sparkle and were a bit ‘out there’. Crop tops and a bit of shine and shimmer, and that’s where we got ‘Chroma’ from. Suiting, matching sets – that vibe.

Back to the future at Henne. Picture: Getty Images for AAFW

All that glitters! Picture: Getty Images for AAFW

Henne models wore makeup by Lancome and hair by Redken at St Barnabas Anglican Church in Sydney. Picture: Getty Images for AAFW

The new Henne collection was dubbed ‘Chroma’. Picture: Getty Images for AAFW

A flash of flesh at Henne. Picture: Getty Images for AAFW

Sleek and sexy was the order of business at Henne. Picture: Getty Images for AAFW

Heist or fashion show? The Henne runway. Picture: Getty Images for AAFW

“I feel really put-together when I have a blazer on. We want to stay true to what Henne is about … but bring a bit more fun. Last year, it was very much our core, everyday pieces, and we’ve still got elements of that, but we wanted to bring in a bit of fun.”

With the Henne show staged in the minimalist space of Sydney Anglican church St Barnabas, Bartel said AAFW was a key part of her brand’s international expansion plans. “It’s a huge global event – there are so many eyes on the shows,” Bartel told Stellar, wearing a vanilla-coloured power blazer that featured on the catwalk. “It exposes you to an international audience. Our plan in the next 5 years is to reach more of an international customer – in the US and UK. [Fashion Week] allows us to meet those buyers and get in front of them.”

After breaking her silence to Stellar last month about the 2021 lockdown incident that changed everything for her, Bartel said she now felt at “peace”. “I feel so good. I feel like I’m in a really good place,” Bartel said. “There was so much I wanted to say for so long, it feels like I am at peace with it all … and [looking] forward to the future.” That she is.

The gloves are on at Henne. Hair was sleek and styled by Redken. Picture: Getty Images for AAFW

A sheer moment on the catwalk. Picture: Getty Images for AAFW

Power dressing is back at Henne. Picture: Getty Images for AAFW

Shop pieces from Henne’s Afterpay Australian Fashion Week online now. Afterpay Australian Fashion Week, backed by IMG, is on in Sydney until Friday.

Originally published as Nadia Bartel returns to Afterpay Australian Fashion Week with a minimalist homage to 80s power dressing