Australian Fashion Week in limbo as IMG exits the event

The fate of Australia’s premier fashion event is in flux following the announcement IMG will exit the event.

Models walk the runway during the Carla Zampatti show during Australian Fashion Week at Carriageworks in May. Picture: Getty Images

The future of Australian Fashion Week is in flux with the announcement that IMG Fashion Events & Properties will exit the event.

The group acquired the event in 2005.

The announcement follows a strategic review launched last year by IMG’s parent company Endeavor Group in the United States and industry speculation.

Australian Fashion Week was started in 1996 by Simon Lock.

Alex Schuman, chief executive of Carla Zampatti, non-executive director of the Australian Fashion Council (AFC) and son of the late Australian designer -a longtime supporter of the industry - wished IMG the best.

“Australian Fashion Week is an important platform for creatives,” he says, calling it a “springboard” for brands.

“Mum was instrumental in supporting Simon Lock [in the establishment of an Australian Fashion Week,” he says.

“We look forward to continuing to support this important industry.”

Edwina McCann, editorial director and publisher News Prestige and Conde Nast titles and former editor-in-chief of Vogue Australia has attended Australian Fashion Week for 28 years.

“It is an important platform for launching Australian designers on a local and global stage,” she says.

One of the stand-outs for McCann was the Zimmermann show in 1996. Zimmermann has since become Australia’s most successful fashion brand.

Nicky Zimmermann, founder and chief creative officer, Zimmermann says the event helped propel their brand to a global stage.

“Australian Fashion Week has always provided a great platform for designers to present their collections - and it was certainly an amazing launching pad for Zimmermann. I hope it continues in some new capacity in future to support the local industry,” she says.

McCann, a former co-chair of the AFC, says now is the time to reconsider the role of Australian Fashion Week, and how it can evolve.

“While it’s sad to see IMG Events exit the market, it’s also an opportunity for the industry to come together under the leadership of the not-for-profit Australian Fashion Council to decide how this event might be reimagined to best serve Australian designers and the industry in the future,” she says.

It’s a view shared by Australian Fashion Council chair Marianne Perkovic and chief executive officer Jaana Quaintance-James. In a joint statement, the pair commended the work of IMG in positioning Australia as a key player on the global fashion stage.

“Turning to the future, we know we need a platform to profile and celebrate Australian fashion. This moment signals an opportunity for the industry to reimagine and reshape how Australian fashion is represented, and provides us all with an opportunity to explore new ways in which to showcase emerging and established Australian talent,” the statement noted.

“The AFC, as the peak body for fashion and textiles in Australia, will lead this conversation.We will work with members, government and other stakeholders to consider the future platform needed to position and elevate Australian fashion internationally”.

Marina Afonina, creative director of fashion label Albus Lumen - which opened Australian Fashion Week this May - said it was sad news for the industry.

“I am so grateful for the support we had over the years ... sometimes change is good and gives it new energy,” she adds.

In a statement Natalie Xenita, vice president and managing director, IMG Fashion Events Asia Pacific said she was proud of what the event had achieved under IMG.

“We navigated a changing industry by introducing new initiatives including the strategic refocus on Resort collections, a consumer integrated model that has been replicated globally, waiving participation fees to support designers since the pandemic, and hosting the first-ever Indigenous designer shows.”

The Australian Fashion Laureate, an award that celebrates the Australian fashion industry, will be the final event hosted by IMG. The ceremony will be held in Sydney next Thursday.