Australian Fashion Week

Highlights from the 2024 Australian Fashion Laureate in Sydney. With thanks to our partners Destination NSW, Pandora, SharkNinja, The Volte, BYHEALTH and K&L Gates.

Announcing this year’s award categories for the 17th annual Australian Fashion Laureate: - Australian Fashion Laureate for Lifetime Achievement - Designer of the Year, presented by SharkNinja - Emerging Designer of the Year, presented by Pandora - Indigenous Designer of the Year, presented by BYHEALTH - Sustainable Designer of the Year, presented by The Volte - CARLA ZAMPATTI Award for Excellence in Leadership This year’s recipients of the Australian fashion industry’s highest accolade will be determined by a panel of 30+ industry leaders assembled by IMG, comprised of Australian Fashion Laureate alumni, leading fashion journalists, creative professionals and top retail executives. Winners will be announced on Thursday 21st November. In addition to our award category sponsors, we are hugely grateful to NSW Government and Destination NSW, David Jones, K&L Gates and Dinosaur Designs for their support to make this years’ event possible.

Our Corporate Hospitality Program provides you and your guests exclusive access to the world of Fashion Week, for the opportunity to view the Resort Collections from Australia’s leading designers. Join us for a truly unique and memorable experience alongside fashion editors, buyers, industry leaders, and style icons, from May 12-16 at Carriageworks in Sydney. Limited bookings are now available. To register your interest please email AFW@img.com

Australian Fashion Week presented by Pandora is Australia’s biggest global fashion platform and the largest most influential fashion event in the Asia-Pacific. The event will take place in Sydney 12 - 16 May 2025 and will feature the industry’s biggest names alongside the next generation of Australian designers defining the future of Australian fashion. Designer applications for the upcoming event are now open and will be closing on 20th December 2024. To apply please click the link below: https://lnkd.in/gFkS7fng

We’re pleased to welcome back Porsche Cars Australia as the Official Automotive Partner of 2025 Australian Fashion Week presented by Pandora.     Now in its fourth year, our continued partnership celebrates Porsche’s commitment to design, innovation and empowering driven creatives who dare to dream. Having collaborated with leading Australian designers including Bianca Spender, ALEMAIS and CARLA ZAMPATTI, we look forward to announcing Porsche’s 2025 designer show partnership in the lead up to May.   Our deep thanks to Daniel Schmollinger and the Porsche Cars Australia team for their ongoing passion for Australian Fashion Week.

The 17th annual Australian Fashion Laureate will take place in Sydney on Thursday 21st November. Established in 2008 by IMG and the NSW Government, the Australian Fashion Laureate is Australian fashion’s highest honour. The event and it’s awards celebrate excellence and highlight achievements in Australian design, sustainability, and leadership across the fashion industry. Determined by a Judges Panel of over thirty industry leaders, the winners will be announced at a celebratory luncheon at Sydney’s iconic Bennelong Restaurant at the Sydney Opera House. The Australian Fashion Laureate is an IMG event proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, along with David Jones, The Volte and BYHEALTH. This years’ award categories will be announced shortly, for partnership inquiries please reach out to us or email afw@img.com . Pictured (L-R) are 2023 Australian Fashion Laureate winners Lisa Havilah, Kit Willow, Alix Higgins and Cue Clothing Co.’s Melanie Levis & Justin Levis. Photo by Myles Kalus.

Applications are now open for DHL Next Gen, Australian Fashion Week’s emerging designer program established in 1996. For almost 30 years, Next Gen has launched the careers of some of Australia’s most celebrated designers, including CAMILLA AND MARC, Bec + Bridge, Akira and sass & bide. The prize is valued at over $100,000 and includes runway show production, a content package including runway photography and livestream, and international shipping credits provided by DHL. Applications will close on October 31 and winners will be announced in February 2025. This years’ esteemed judges include Vogue Australia Fashion Features Editor Alice Birrell, international model Aweng Chuol, David Jones General Manager Womenswear, Footwear & Accessories Bridget Veals, Camilla and Marc’s Camilla Freeman-Topper and Marc Freeman, Russh Executive Fashion Director Hannah Cooper, Designer & Sustainability Consultant Kit Willow, stylist Melissa Levy, Mob In Fashion Founder Nathan McGuire, journalist & fashion commentator Patty Huntington, Vogue international contributor Luke Leitch and Net-a-Porter Fashion Director Kay Barron.  To enter visit https://lnkd.in/gSMMTCt2

Global Fashion authority The Business of Fashion is coming to 2025 Australian Fashion Week presented by Pandora. For the first time, BoF will host a series of events on the official Australian Fashion Week schedule, including panel discussions, intimate designer conversations, and presentations. The talks will be open to industry attendees, the public, and livestreamed at australianfashionweek.com. IMG and BoF will celebrate our partnership by hosting an exclusive industry lunch on the final day of Australian Fashion Week. BoF President Nick Blunden said: “We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Australian Fashion Week 2025. The Australian fashion market is incredibly dynamic and exciting, showcasing an impressive mix of creative talent from both well-established fashion businesses and a new generation of independent brands. It is no surprise that Australian fashion is reclaiming its rightful place on the global stage. We are looking forward to putting together a series of events that will engage the Australian fashion community and highlight the extraordinary talent featured at such an important part of the global fashion calendar.” Vice President & Managing Director of IMG Fashion Events APAC, Natalie Xenita said: “IMG is excited to be bringing the Business of Fashion to Sydney for Australian Fashion Week presented by Pandora 2025. For 30 years, Australian Fashion week has been the leading international fashion trade event in the Asia Pacific region, providing a global platform for Australia’s most innovative designer talent to showcase their creativity. We’re looking forward to working alongside Business of Fashion to further amplify the voices and visions of Australia’s leading designers, creatives, and fashion leaders.” #AustralianFashionWeek #ILoveSydney

In partnership with our Strategic Sponsor Destination NSW, today we announced Australian Fashion Week will take place on 12 – 16 May 2025, at Carriageworks in Sydney. With the support of the Government of New South Wales (NSW Government) and Destination NSW, IMG will waive designer participation fees for the 2025 event. We are also thrilled to confirm that global jewellery powerhouse Pandora will return as presenting partner following our inaugural partnership in 2024. Mary Carmen (MC) Gasco-Buisson, Chief Marketing Officer at Pandora said: “Pandora is thrilled to be returning as presenting partner of Australian Fashion Week 2025. As a global leader in jewellery, our continued partnership with IMG for one of the most respected events on the Australian fashion calendar allows us to showcase our design innovation and reaffirm our dedication to sustainability and high-quality craftmanship. Pandora’s mission is to empower people to express their personal style, and we are delighted that we can be part of this platform that supports Australian designers and creatives with the opportunity to present their work globally.” In addition to Pandora and Destination NSW, we are also excited to welcome back Official Partners City of Sydney, Creed, DHL, Redken 5th Avenue N.Y.C. LLC, Simply Seated, Kronenbourg 1664, The Volte, and Thatchers Cider Company Ltd whose continued support makes Australian Fashion Week possible.

Congratulations to Australian Fashion Week designer Ngali Australia who were awarded the 2024 National Indigenous Fashion Award for Business Achievement at the #DarwinArtFair this week. After being part of the David Jones Indigenous Fashion Projects Runway shows in 2021 and 2022, Ngali went on to make history as one of the first Indigenous designers to hold a stand alone runway show at Australian Fashion Week, along with Ikuntji Artists, in 2023. Ngali Australia Creative Director Denni Francisco was also awarded the 2023 Australian Fashion Laureate Indigenous Designer Of the Year award. We’re thrilled to see Denni adding another prestigious award to her achievements! Our team is proud to be attending the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation Darwin Art Fair again this year, which officially opens today until Sunday.