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Grazia USA
3 days ago
- Business
- Grazia USA
16 Australian Fashion Brands That Need To Be On Your Radar
While for women's fashion in the Northern Hemisphere, we bid farewell to fashion month over six weeks ago (and we're set to welcome men's fashion month in just a few weeks), Australia was preparing for its own fashion week. But this year marked a turning point for Australian Fashion Week, which launched nearly 30 years ago. For the better part of its lifespan, Australian Fashion Week (AFW) was run by IMG in partnership with other major sponsors. However, it was announced at the end of 2024, the global agency would be stepping back as the main backer of the event, leaving the Australian Fashion Council (AFC) to take the helm of the event for the first time. As Kellie Hush, the CEO of AFW, pointed out, it was to be 'a trade show…not fashion entertainment', which was a change from the consumer-led model of the fashion week previously taken under the leadership of IMG. An emphasis on platforming Australian designers on the international stage was placed, as well as its local, but it was an opportunity for the designers and creatives behind these household labels to share their brand stories with the world. Many of which already have a growing presence and loyal clientele in the Middle East. A host of international buyers and press descended upon Sydney in mid-May to attend front row to the slew of designers taking part in AFW. 'We have an incredible industry, world-leading, and it was a privilege providing the platform to put our fashion on the world stage,' Hush further emphasised in a post-fashion week LinkedIn post. 'We listened and this is just the start of what industry collaboration can achieve,' she also added. It may have been a smaller scale than some expected, but it was a step towards the future of Australian fashion on a global scale, and GRAZIA Middle East was lucky enough to have a front row seat. With the rise of popularity of Australian brands in the region and many beloved already (you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who hasn't visited the famed Zimmermann boutique in Mall of the Emirates, which we have under good authority is one of the best-performing stores for the fashion house globally), fashion week Down Under is one we all need to be keeping our eyes on. Even the duo behind Aje, Adrian Norris and Edwina Forest, exclusively told GRAZIA post their AFW show, the Middle East is their second biggest market and is fast-growing. So, with that, post-AFW, GRAZIA brings you 16 fashion brands that need to be on your radar. Aje At the sun-drenched Pier Pavilion in Barangaroo, Aje unveiled Impression – a Resort '26 collection that felt like a love letter to emotion, movement, and light. Inspired by the Impressionist art movement, the show captured not just how fashion looks, but how it feels. Silhouettes floated like brushstrokes, blending sculptural forms with poetic softness. Pastel hues, bold splashes of magenta and yellow, and pearlescent embellishments echoed Australia's landscape and light. Raw crochet, braided leather, and hammered metals grounded the ethereal. 'There's something so powerful in the softness of those brushstrokes,' Forest said. 'We wanted to bring that same poetic sensibility into the collection.' The result? A sensorial journey that truly left an impression. Carla Zampatti With the backdrop of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House, heritage Australian fashion house Carla Zampatti opened fashion week. Presenting its latest collection that brought together a host of Australian design legends, the show paid tribute to the brand's sixth decade in business and honoured its late founder. Bianca Spender Photo: Supplied Bianca Spender delivered a deeply personal reflection on the art of letting go with her latest collection, Deliquesce . Inspired by the feeling of diving feet-first into water, it was all about surrender – about softening into the unknown. The colour story shifted from inky black and soft blush to earthy tones and a final wash of champagne tones. Deliquesce was less a fashion show and more a quiet emotional release – weightless, sculptural and serene. Courtney Zheng Photo: Supplied Titled Le Corbusier , Courtney Zheng took to the AFW runway to present a collection which explored the brutalist nature of fashion, featuring strong shoulders and tailoring paired with distressed denim and raw edges. 'The collection began with the idea of brutalist stealth—something that felt quietly powerful and architectural,' Zheng told GRAZIA. 'I was drawn to the rawness of brutalism: exposed structure, material honesty, and a kind of stark elegance.' Amy Lawrance Photo: Supplied Still in the infancy of her brand, Amy Lawrance put on a show for the eyes in material and structure for her latest collection. At the helm, was the use of raw silk with silhouettes inspired by the 1920s era. Each look was derived from the same ivory colour, but with its own structural identity, telling a different story by its look, but also touch. Paris Georgia Photo: Supplied Founded by Australian fashion duo Paris Mitchell Temple and Georgia Cherrie, Paris Georgia brought the sultry side to The Frontier show. Taking inspiration from Sex and the City, the collection was about paying homage to the emboldened career woman in many different forms. Matin Photo: Supplied In the form of soft silhouettes, free-flowing fabrics and a muted colour palette, Matin's pre-fall collection was an ode to timeless classics and feminine energy in all its glory. Esse At its core, ESSE embodies minimalism like no other. This season, the Australian label brought a play on texture and tailoring. 'It's in the detail and the subtle collision of texture,' designer Charlotte Hick told GRAZIA. 'Every line, surface, and proportion must earn its place. I start with the question: Will she reach for this tomorrow, and five years from now? Hansen+Gretel Photo: Supplied For its Resort 2026 collection, Hansen + Gretel created a collection entitled AURA, inspired by natural energy and the unseen forces of movement that shape the way we exist. Featuring bohemian, flowing silhouettes, the colour palette skewed towards greens and blues. Marriam Seddiq 'It's only just the beginning,' declared Mariam Seddiq at the start of her 10th anniversary runway show. At Australian Fashion Week 2025, the Australian-Afghan designer unveiled a powerful narrative of elegance and innovation. Sleek black tailoring collided with Grecian-inspired draping, forging a vision of what's to come for the fashion house. Ngali Photo: Supplied Ngali made a powerful return to the AFW 2025 runway with The Yawa: Journey Collection, a deeply personal chapter from founder Denni Francisco. A proud Wiradjuri woman, Francisco continues to honour Indigenous storytelling through fluid silhouettes, rich prints, and a palette inspired by Country—think ochre, rust, and deep water tones. Lee Matthews Photo: Supplied Beloved Australian designer Lee Matthews marked 25 years of her namesake label at this year's Australian Fashion Week. Naturally, the collection paid tribute to its roots as the brand marked a quarter of a century. In her latest pieces, she juxtaposed the contrast of strength and softness, which was inspired by the art of ballet, in particular famed German dancer Pina Bausch. Beare Park Photo: Supplied Harnessing her approach to modern femininity, Gabriella Pereira, founder of Beare Parke, took on a deeper, more sultry mood for her showcase at Australian Fashion Week 2025. Straying from her usual classic silhouettes, the designer took a more seductive route for her latest collection. Paired with Chopard jewellery down the runway, pieces reflected a somewhat after-hours glamour, playing on sheer fabrics and satins, as well as sharp tailoring. Cleopatra's Bling Photo: Supplied Founded by Australian jewellery designer Olivia Cummings in 2014, Cleopatra's Bling is an ethical fine jewellery brand which she founded, inspired by her world travels and time working in Paris and living in Istanbul. Featuring ethically sourced stones and replicating ancient jewellery-making traditions, Cummings has also been inspired by the heritage and beauty of the Mediterranean and the Middle East in creating her pieces. Saben New Zealand handbag label Saben was founded in 2002 with a clear design philosophy: 'Fewer, more beautiful pieces.' And, indeed, it is. Fusing fashion and functionality together, each piece stands the test of time, making for a timeless investment. Shona Joy If you're an avid shopper on Ounass, you'll no doubt be a lover of Shona Joy. However, if you have perhaps skimmed over this beloved Aussie designer, allow us to introduce you. Founded in 2000 between the markets at Bondi Beach and Paddington – two suburbs in Sydney – the brand has become known for its free-flowing silhouettes dedicated to the free-spirited woman. Whether it's different plays on proportion in the forms of tailoring or the perfect matching satin sets, this Australian brand is one you need to have on your radar.
ABC News
20-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Australian Fashion Week becomes more exclusive as ownership returns to local industry
Australian Fashion Week (AFW) made its annual return last week, but things looked different this year, and it wasn't just the trends. Carriageworks in Sydney was still lined with industry professionals, influencers and fashion lovers strutting the street in their different outfits. But there weren't as many people in attendance, there was a slimmer schedule, and the shows were all invite-only — a change from how it has been run previously where the public could buy tickets. Late last year, the future of fashion week was uncertain, after the New York media agency IMG announced it would no longer run the event, which it has owned since 2005. But soon after that, not-for-profit Australian Fashion Council (AFC) stepped in, announcing it would take ownership of it, in partnership with Destination NSW. After announcing the new ownership, AFC chief executive Jaana Quaintance-James began signalling to the industry the event would focus on sustainability and commercial value. "Our vision is to create an event that not only celebrates our incredible talent but also positions Australian fashion as a global leader, delivering meaningful economic and social benefits for our industry and beyond," Ms Quaintance-James said in a press release. "Fashion Week is so much more than runways and high heels — it's a vital creative platform that shines a global spotlight on Australian fashion." As the first Australian Fashion Week run by an Australian body in more than 20 years, there was a shift away from the usual larger spectacle, with more focus on those who work in the industry. There was a slimmer schedule of shows, too, partly because of the tight turnaround AFC had to deliver the event. All shows were also invite-only, making it more difficult for the public to find ways to participate. One fashion show-goer at Carriageworks said the changes are "unfair" to those who do want to go. Another welcomed the move, saying "it makes it more exclusive, and on the scale of New York". Earlier this week, AFW chief executive, Kellie Hush, said the week was a "trade event" and not "fashion entertainment". "Given the short runway of just four months we had to organise AFW2025, it was decided to simplify the event and focus on the [industry trade] component," AFW said in a statement. In coming months it will liaise with industry to see how best to approach the event going forward. "In respect to future years, we know it's extremely important that Australian fashion engages with Australian consumers." The backdrop to the event was the wide-reaching impact of the US-imposed tariffs that are hitting a multitude of industries, including fashion. The Australian fashion industry is worth about $28 billion and more than $7 billion of this is from exports, according to the AFC. The threat of future tariffs on the industry, combined with a cost-of-living crisis, leaves customers with less to spend, and the industry at an uncertain spot. "We are not set up to make a profit out of Australian Fashion Week; we are here to serve the industry … and make sure it's strong for the future," Ms Hush said. "The domestic customer is really important … what's happening internationally is unpredictable."
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Vogue
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue
Everything You Might Have Missed From the Australian Fashion Week Resort 2026 Collections
Last November IMG announced that after about two decades, it would no longer be backing Australian Fashion Week, putting the event in limbo for a few months. In March, the Australian Fashion Council officially announced its return under its guidance, giving brands just a few months to prep their new collections. While this resulted in a shorter week (four days instead of five), and a slightly smaller number of designers on the schedule, the shows still managed to highlight the diversity of Sydney's fashion scene. One thing that the week does very well is hold space for designers at different stages in their careers. On the schedule this season were two group shows that focused on new (and new-ish) labels: The brand-new The Frontier featured designers like Courtney Zheng (who made her on-schedule debut this year) and Amy Lawrence (showing for the second time), along with more established brands like Esse and Common Hours; while the NewGen show, which has been going on since 1996, showcased a mix of art-y and commercial labels like Haluminous and Miimi & Jiinda. Vogue Australia also showcased the city's independent brands with its special Vogue Vanguard fashion show, which included seven designers who each showed two looks from their current collections. Scroll through to get a glimpse at the Australian Fashion Week scene—and catch up on the rest of the shows here. Liandra
ABC News
17-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Push to bring clothes manufacturing back to Australia ramps up due to trade war
During Australian Fashion Week last week, models walked the runway clothed by home-grown designers, but while the designs were local, the outfits themselves were made overseas. As the industry's luminaries gathered to celebrate, the escalating trade war between the United States and China cast a long shadow. Determined to future-proof the industry from rising costs and tariff uncertainty, the Australian Fashion Council is embarking on a bold plan to bring the textile industry home. While welcomed by wool and cotton farmers, there are concerns the economic reality of the supply chain may scupper any home-made dreams. In the 1950s, Australia's 'rag trade' was booming. Surry Hills in Sydney and Flinders Lane in Melbourne were bursting with garment manufacturing factories and workshops. But as worker shortages and rising electricity costs combined with cheaper labour overseas, much of it moved offshore. The fashion council, which represents the industry, now estimates 97 per cent of Australia's $28 billion of fashion is produced overseas. "Our sector is at a critical tipping point," chief executive Jaana Quaintance-James said. "We've identified an urgent need for a national manufacturing strategy — one that safeguards jobs, restores technical capability, and strengthens our global competitiveness." Partnering with RM Williams, which has been manufacturing clothing and shoes in Adelaide since 1932, the council will hold six industry consultation sessions, with the full detail of the strategy to be delivered in late 2025. Ms Quaintance-James said the plan would also help job creation. "You're supporting the payment of local taxes, and a broader kind of economic and social development in Australia," she said. Rising trade tension over tariffs between the United States and China has contributed to the sense of urgency. Ms Quaintance-James said while China was the engine room of global textile production, the US was a growing market for Australian fashion houses. With most of the cotton and wool produced in Australia being processed in China, Australia's fashion industry has become collateral as a key customer goes to war with the industry's main supplier. Ms Quaintance-James said news of a 90-day pause of the escalation between the two nations had come as a relief, but it highlighted the vulnerability at the core of the supply chain. Along with less exposure to global volatility, she said a return to domestic manufacturing offered other practical advantages, such as supply chain transparency and shorter lead times in textile production. To make clothes you need fabric, which can either be synthetic or natural. Most synthetic fibres such as polyester or nylon are made from petrochemicals, and it is estimated 70 per cent of the global supply is manufactured in China. Natural fibres can be sourced from plants, such as cotton, or animals, such as sheep. The raw product needs to be processed, which includes cleaning, spinning and weaving, and like garment manufacturing, it is almost all done offshore. Australia is a leading producer of cotton and wool, though both industries have struggled in recent years; the cotton industry faced a trade ban from China in 2020 while Australian wool production this year fell to a 100-year low. Adam Kay, chief executive of grower group Cotton Australia, said the last local cotton spinning mills moved offshore 20 years ago, under pressure from rising labour costs. He said that issue had largely been overcome through automation, but now the high cost of electricity would be a barrier to re-establishing the industry. Mr Kay said the cotton industry already worked with more than 50 fashion brands across the country to supply Australian-grown cotton. "Having a spinning mill locally and doing that next stage of processing, and maybe going all the way through to garment manufacturer, it really is a more circular economy," he said. "It could really reduce the carbon miles that the products have." As Australian wool producers stare down historically low production, seeing wool take centre stage at the Met gala in New York earlier this month was heartening. Considered fashion's biggest night of the year, the annual fundraising gala for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in New York City invites A-List celebrities to dress in a theme — this year it was "tailored to you". Australian Wool Innovation's global marketing projects manager Catherine Veltman said several major brands chose to showcase wool outfits this year, which would lift the fibre's profile. Attracting 15 million views to its live-stream and countless commentaries, Ms Veltman hoped the exposure would encourage mainstream brands and ultimately consumers to consider wool. If Australia is to turn back the clock textile manufacturing, Ms Quaintance-James said the national strategy would require a co-ordinated effort from government and the private sector. "Tariffs are just the latest example. In COVID, we were unable to produce our own healthcare uniforms," she said. "And we're in exactly the same situation. We have not evolved from that. "So when are we going to learn this lesson?"
Fibre2Fashion
16-05-2025
- General
- Fibre2Fashion
Australian Fashion Week bans fur, exotic skins & feathers on catwalk
The Australian Fashion Council has officially banned the use of fur, wild-animal skins, and wild feathers from Australian Fashion Week (AFW) catwalks. Effective immediately, the new policy ensures that the 2025 edition of AFW will be entirely free from wildlife exploitation. Australian Fashion Week has banned fur, wild-animal skins, and feathers from its catwalks, making the 2025 edition wildlife-free. The policy, developed with Collective Fashion Justice and World Animal Protection, marks a major win for ethical fashion. The decision reflects growing public demand for cruelty-free, sustainable alternatives. The policy is developed in collaboration with Collective Fashion Justice and World Animal Protection. With this policy, crocodiles, foxes, and exotic birds will be protected, ensuring they are no longer used in fashion displays at this event. This decision reflects the growing public demand for ethical and sustainable fashion. It is a victory driven by thousands of compassionate Australians who believe fashion should never come at the cost of animal lives, according to World Animal Protection. This move builds on similar wildlife-free commitments achieved at Melbourne Fashion Week, Melbourne Fashion Festival, and international runways in Berlin and Copenhagen. 'This latest announcement is a reminder that the fashion industry can be a positive force or wildlife, and change the lives of crocodiles, ostriches, minks and more. We are seeing a domino effect of fashion events around Australia and the world rejecting exotic skins, feathers and fur. With this new wildlife friendly policy, Australian Fashion Week have joined the growing list of runways that are embracing innovative alternatives to cruelty,' said Suzanne Milthorpe, head of campaigns at World Animal Protection Australia. Animal rights organisations, including PETA, have long campaigned for this change. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
