Australian Fashion Week 2023 Recap
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Australian fashion is capitalized by effortless style, elevated simplicity, and thoughtful accessorizing. The country’s fashion week beginning May 15th in Sydney highlights the biggest and emerging Australian designers as they showcase their collections and set the trends for the upcoming year. Afterpay Australian Fashion Week gains large attention from International markets, bringing Australian-crafted designs to the entire world. Throughout the week, designers collaborate with one another, promoting their recent collections to consumers in attendance and gaining coverage from social media content. With about 24,000 visitors, Australian Fashion Week has become the largest international fashion event for local designers to gather, share their ideas, and show off their work.
Let’s take a look at some of the best up-and-coming Australian designers:
Alex Higgins
Alex Higgins’ cool & collected runway highlighted his artistic strengths of combining fashion sustainability with fun. The collection displayed shocking patterns, futuristic silhouettes, and barefoot, earth-stained models grazing across the runway. Higgins focused on the transformative escape of the digital world melding with nature. Higgins revolutionized post-apocalyptic fashion, creating garments in flattering shapes and playful palettes.
Speed
Speed’s runway, titled ‘Tears of the Oasiss’ features futuristic designs, channeling iconic y2k styles. The Sydney-local label debuted its first runway with a cohesive collection of bold reds, leather textiles, and electric hues. Designer Alvi Chung took inspiration from the Daintree Rainforest for her collection. As the oldest rainforest in the world, the Daintree is home to ancient foliage and lush oases. Utilizing sharp lines and striking fabrics, Chung generated a whimsically dynamic collection. Chung shows incredible craftsmanship through the detail put into her designs and runway show. The signature tulle veil, graphic eyeliner, and chic styling highlight Chung’s brand and collection.
Maggie Marilyn
New Zealand-born designer Maggie Hewitt showcased her first-ever runway show at the 2023 Australian Fashion Week. Hewitt brought her sustainably focused brand to Australia, displaying an oceanic summer-inspired collection. The runway took place at a sailing club, fitting for the coastal aesthetic of Hewitt’s designs. The show acted as an ode to hot summer days, childhood, and the comfort of spending time under the sun with loved ones. Vibrant nautical hues decorated garments in striped patterns. Fun pairings such as an oversized shirt atop a vintage fit bikini and riding boots stand out among the collection’s looks. Hewitt’s focus on Mother Nature fuels her brand, as a people and planet-centered company. Maggie Marilyn is pushing designers worldwide to effortlessly display sustainable practices and brand transparency.
Nicol & Ford
Nicol & Ford’s theatrical runway at AAFW took inspiration from the restrictive dress codes of Regency period societies. Using historical elements, they developed a shocking collection featuring empire waistlines and short skirts, exposed backs, and plunging necklines. Nicol & Ford’s runway, titled Comet, intends to celebrate diverse bodies through sensuality while exposing the restrictive dress of 19th-century clothing. Bedazzled gowns, glittering suits, and sheer capes created a collection of truly ethereal looks. Nicol & Ford crafted a timeless collection of inspiring garments, looking toward the past, and future.
Haulier
The Haulier show took AAFW by surprise with a runway taking place on a busy city street. The audience experienced a collection of everyday streetwear full of vintage inspiration. Founder and designer Jeremy Hershan used the celebrity styles of the 1960s-1990s to create jet-setter looks for the traveling spirit. The collection featured iconic effortless styles of tailored jeans, casual graphic tees, and tied-back knits.
View our picks below.
Alex Higgins
2024 SS Collection
Bold digital graphics highlight many of Alix Higgin’s signature runway looks for SS 2024. To create a bold outfit, try combining similar prints for an editorial look.
Speed
2024 SS Collection
Tweed has become a beloved vintage-inspired fabric popping up in many runway shows this year. Pairing the pattern with modern cargo pants can make tweed casual for everyday wear.
Maggie Marilyn
2024 SS Collection
Maggie Marilyn crafts beautifully feminine summer pieces, perfect for your next vacation. Intricate, ditzy floral patterns are an easy way to dress head-to-toe in an effortless summer look.
Nicol & Ford
2024 SS Collection
Take inspiration from Nicol & Ford’s 19th-century runway this season with playful puff sleeves and mini hemlines. Pearl embellishments and gold jewelry can be combined to create a regal look.
Haulier
2024 SS Collection
Haulier has become the epitome of cool, effortless, and sophisticated style. Channel your inner celebrity with some statement shades and bold, retro graphics.
Joslin
2024 SS Collection
Joslin’s AAFW runway exhibited romantic coastal-inspired garments. Soft details and luxe fabrics are sure to bring a dreamy feel to your summer wardrobe.
Verner
2024 SS Collection
Verner used pops of color and bold, blocked prints to create a childhood-inspired runway for AAFW. Elongated waistlines can change up your day-to-day outfits, while color blocking can help you look cohesive and fresh.
Injury
2024 SS Collection
Injury’s AAFW runway held up to the brand’s standard to create innovative and edgy clothing. Playing with texture and matching sets can transform your personal style.
St. Agni
2024 SS Collection
A simple-shaped dress can instantly become more sophisticated when worn in a leather textile. St. Agni utilizes simplicity while creating sleek, elegant designs.
Heene
2024 SS Collection
Riding boots have made a comeback. Heene uses them as a statement piece on the runway, pairing them with a monochrome, blue outfit.
Christian Kimber
2024 SS Collection
Hints of vibrant magenta peek through cozy brown and beige hues on Christian Kimber’s AAFW runway. To create playful sophistication, try utilizing pops of bright colors with monochrome outfits.
Cue
2024 SS Collection
Cue’s AAFW runway was 90s-inspired, featuring flirty hemlines and loose silhouettes. Silky, draping fabrics paired with sleek accessories may be the perfect summer-night-out combo.
Michael Lo Sordo
2024 SS Collection
Another runway inspired by 90s fashion, Michael Lo Sordo used Parisian nightclubs as his muse. A loose frame and sparkling fabric will create just the right amount of glamour to stand out from the crowd.
Edited by Kieryn Alexander