Australian Fashion Week to host first ‘resort season’

The next Australian Fashion Week has a clear vision and a solid line-up, with resort wear a strong focus.

Fashion Week Preview

The international fashion industry may be embroiled in debate over the future of fashion week schedules, but the next Australian Fashion Week has a clear vision and a solid line-up.

The schedule will be unveiled tonight for its first official “resort season” in May, with a mix of more than 40 well-established and emerging designers slated to take part. Banner names include Toni Maticevski, Dion Lee, Ginger & Smart, Bianca Spender, Yeojin Bae, Manning Cartell, Bec & Bridge, Camilla and By Johnny.

Also, for the first time, the event will be segmented into three days of ready-to-wear collections, including eveningwear; a day dedicated to swimwear, streetwear and activewear; and the final day for emerging designers.

The decision to showcase ­resort was made last year, after consultation with the local industry, in order to benefit from the international buying schedule. Resort collections are increasingly lucrative, falling between seasons to suit the global market and staying on the shop floor at full price for longer.

“The interest around fashion week has been reinvigorated for designers, retail buyers and media outlets simply because of the new timing,” said Emily Weight, head of fashion, Asia Pacific, for event owner IMG. “We can see, as an industry, we can create great global outcomes with resort collections.”

NSW Trade, Tourism and Events Minister Stuart Ayres told The Australian: “For us to take ownership of resort is a step in the right direction. And I’ve had nothing but positive feedback from the industry about owning this space.

“Fashion generates over $8 billion in sales in NSW each year, so it might be glamorous, but it’s serious business and should be treated so. That’s (Foreign Minister) Julie Bishop’s position as well. This is about promoting Australian creativity ... on the world stage.”

Toni Maticevski, widely regarded as one of Australia’s most creative and covetable designers, has been announced as the opening showcase, in the Sunday night slot. Despite having previously shown in New York and having international stockists outweigh Australian ones by 20 per cent, Maticevski is keen to continue his association with the event.

“I love showing in Australia, it’s really important for me to maintain that dialogue with my customers here because they’ve been the ones really supporting and championing me,” Maticevski told The Australian.

Designers Dion Lee and Rebecca Vallance will also present their resort collections in Sydney.