In a triumphant turn of events for fashionistas and home-grown fashion designers, Australian Fashion Week was officially saved for 2025. In September last year, IMG, the US-based company that runs the annual fashion event, announced that was ceasing operation Down Under, leaving the future of Australian Fashion Week up in the air. But just like a beacon of hope, the Australian Fashion Council (AFC) swooped in and saved the event. And now that AFW 2025 is upon us, we take a look at everything you need to know.
What happened with Australian Fashion Week?
When IMG announced it was pulling out of Australian Fashion Week after 20 years, the future looked… grim. AFW founder Simon Lock, who sold the event to IMG in 2005, said it was “a sad day for Australian fashion“.
However, the Australian Fashion Council stepped in to run the event, with Shark Beauty moving into the role as title parter.
In a statement, AFC Chair Marianne Perkovic thanked the NSW Government and the fashion industry for their commitment and collaboration in reviving the event which is set to spotlight Australian creatives.
“The AFC looks forward to delivering a world-class experience in 2025 and evolving the event in the future,” Perkovic said.
“Fashion Week 2025 will mark a crucial milestone in the journey towards a truly industry-led event for Australian fashion. Our consultation has reinforced that the AFC is best positioned to lead this transformation, much like its successful international counterparts.”
Janna Quaintance-James, AFC CEO, also echoed the same sentiment, thanking the NSW Government for its support.
“Fashion Week is not just an event; it’s a catalyst for growth, collaboration and the innovation of Australian fashion,” she said.
“This NSW Government support is a testament to the trust placed in the AFC and our vision for an industry-led future. Joining with Destination NSW and drawing on the expertise of our industry partners, we can take meaningful steps towards making.”
Why did IMG pull out of Australia Fashion Week?
In September, IMG officially announced that it was pulling out from hosting the event in Australia after buying it from Lock in 2005.
While it didn’t specify exact reasons as to why it ceased operations the managing director of IMG Fashion Events Asia Pacific Natalie Xenita said the company was proud of what it has done for Australian fashion designers.
“The event has played a key role in ushering the industry forward,” Xenita said, per the SMH.
“We are incredibly proud of IMG’s many accomplishments leading Australian Fashion Week for the last 20 years.
“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.”
At the time the shock announcement was made, the Australian Financial Review reported the event struggled to “source a new partner” following the departure of Afterpay in 2023. The event has previously worked with other sponsors such as Mercedes-Benz and Rosemount.
The show’s revival has been backed by the NSW Government, with the state’s Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham stating the event is an “essential showcase of one of our largest creative industries”.
“The industry has come together swiftly, pulling together its great expertise, to ensure that Fashion Week can go ahead in 2025. The NSW Government is pleased to confirm its continued support of the event,” Graham said.
Which designers are showing at Australian Fashion Week 2025?
Iconic Australian designer Carla Zampatti will open the week, with designers like Beare Park, Alix Higgins, Courtney Zheng, Lee Mathews, Iordanes Spyridon Gogos, Liandra, Nagnata also showing. The schedule has been shortened to just four days, although as Kellie Hush, CEO of AFC Australian Fashion Week, says, it’s a huge achievement considering where AFW was just a few months ago.
“Four full days of amazing Australian fashion is an incredible achievement in year one!” she told Vogue Australia. “2025 will be a step change to a reinvented fashion week in 2026. We want to ensure Australian Fashion Week now and into the future has a stable foundation so that generations of Australian designers can build their businesses around it.”
When is Australian Fashion Week 2025?
AFW 2025 will take place from May 12 to 16, 2025, with most shows held at Sydney’s Carriageworks.
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