AFC at PFW SS20

Paris Fashion Week will see a host of AFC Members showcasing in runways and trade events this September. The AFC will also be hosting a series of exclusive industry events during the week to celebrate our local designers and facilitate networking opportunities. With special thanks to The Woolmark Company, the Australian Embassy in Paris, Creative Victoria, The Community, Handpicked Wines and Four Pillars Gin.

Here’s a look at some of the incredible local designers you’ll find in the global spotlight. 

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AFC MEMBERS TO LOOK OUT FOR

Bird & Knoll | Ozlana | Sarah & Sebastian | State of Escape | Holly Ryan | Aje | We Are Kindred | Bondi Born | Acler

Born from a love of travel, fashion and soft natural textiles, Bird & Knoll's mood elevating resort wear injects escapism and romantic sensibility into vacation style. Macayla Chapman and Natalie Knoll launched their eponymous brand in 2014 with a signature line of luxury scarves using the softest cashmere, silks and cottons as the “canvas” for their artistic photographic narratives of global destinations. With a focus on quality natural fibres rendered into a relaxed flow of flattering silhouettes, the design duo draw on their Antipodean lifestyles to create a colourful offering of sophisticated and wearable pieces that take the wearer effortlessly from balmy vacations to everyday.

The brand’s Resort 20 and S/S 20 collections will be showcased during Paris Fashion Week in September in a showroom at the Académie d'architecture. The collections have a distinctively romantic and yet assured femininity about them. For R20, the design duo draw on a rich palette of merlot, emerald, cinnamon and lemon to complement the beautiful flowing silhouettes of full skirts, shirred waists and flutter sleeves rendered in the softest cotton silks. Moving boldly into bright pops of red and pink silk habotai tempered with blush and black, their SS20 collection is a tactile haven of elegant movement – maxi dresses that float, panelled skirts that swirl – joyful but sophisticated vignettes that are sentimental and yet modern. 

“It is the optimistic energy of these silhouettes that have really inspired us,” says Knoll. “There is something quite empowering in the carefree volume and fluid movement of the pieces that encourages you to walk taller and bolder whilst feeling very feminine.”

To make an appointment to view the collection, please contact: Knight Collective, Lucy Gill // +61 433 953 577, Brand Coordinator, Boutique Fashion Consultancy 

PARIS SHOWROOM | SS20, 28 Sept - 3 Oct, Académie d'architecture, 9 Place des Vosges, 75004 Paris

OZLANA is an Australian fashion brand with a romantic, playful personality, explored through story-telling inspired concepts. Devoted to quality fabrications, textiles & glimmering embellishments, the brand embodies a style of youthful & modern femininity, channeled through the signature Fur Parka, a traditional piece updated with the classic OZLANA touch. Founded in 2014, the Australian outerwear focused fashion house OZLANA has been enhancing its global influence by its signature sustainable fur in the fashion design industry.

OZLANA will showcase their new collection NEVERLAND at Paris Fashion Week S/S20 at 5:00 PM, 30th of September 2019 at Palais de la Découverte.  Please RSVP to Arthur.l@ozlana.com

Photo Credits to @Georgesantoni

SARAH & SEBASTIAN is an Australian jewellery label, founded on the principles of sentimental luxury and avant-garde innovation. Founded by creative collaborators Sarah Gittoes and Robert Grynkofki, the brand’s archetypal silhouettes are informed by nature and reveal an organic interpretation of visual art. Unique details and balanced design are anchored in multi-disciplinary processes to intrigue discerning women and men alike.

This September in Paris, SARAH & SEBASTIAN will showcase their SIREN and CELESTIAL collections alongside a curated edit of the pieces that have amassed a cult following in Australia.The SIREN collection is both a celebration of the ocean and a signal alerting to the devastation being caused to reefs and endangered marine life by abandoned fishing debris (known as ghost nets). The collection explores the themes of entanglement and floatation with pieces cast from ghost nets and fishing debris salvaged from the Pacific Ocean. Presented alongside SIREN, the CELESTIAL collection is an evolution of ZODIAC, materialising the various astrological constellations in diamond earrings and necklaces. 

SARAH & SEBASTIAN will show at Galerie Patricia Dorfmann from the 28th of September to the 4th of October. For details, contact; Robyn Catinella - robyn@catinella.com.au 

Founded by Desley Maidment and Brigitte MacGowan in 2013, State of Escape are the creators of the original cult Escape neoprene tote bag collection. Designed to nourish your artistic soul. Inspire your imagination and adventures. The perfect travel companion as you explore near and far. Having discovered the supremely soft and beautiful yet durable neoprene fabric they couldn’t pass it by. They knew it was destined for something great. Twelve months of sketching and designing intriguing formats and with the discovery of the beautiful sailing rope, the sophisticated, clean lines of State of Escape were born. The girls were in love, they knew they had designed a bag they would have by their side on faraway adventures and daily explorations. 

The State of Escape brand is driven by an appreciation for sophisticated simplicity which has continued to be their focus as they’ve expanded their collection. In just five years, State of Escape has consolidated its position as an internationally recognised brand, catering to markets including but not limited to the USA, UK, Norway, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand and of course Australia. 

State of Escape will be showcasing the SS20 range with Jo Knight Collective in Paris between 30th September – 3rd October 2019. To enquire about the brand, or make an appointment for Paris SS20 market, please reach out to Jo Knight at Knight Collective: jo@knightcollective.com

KNIGHT COLLECTIVE PARIS SHOWROOM | 28 Sept - 3 Oct | 9 Avenue d’Architecture, Place des Vosges 75004 Paris

Holly Ryan founded her eponymous label on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland in 2010, after completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts: Fashion Design at Queensland University of Technology. Holly has always been passionate about sustainability, sourcing recycled metals and ethical stones for her designs. The designer’s parents first instilled this ethos in her, having both studied jewellery making in Mexico during the 1980s.  

Artistic influences also play an important role in Holly’s design process and, in 2017, this led her to expand her work into the field of sculpture. Holly is now represented as a sculpture artist by Jerico Contemporary gallery. As an artist and maker, Holly Ryan’s practice is ever evolving – but her commitment to producing responsible, meaningful objects is staunchly resolute. 

Holly Ryan will have a showroom at Paris Fashion Week this season, where the designer’s international team, The Known Agency, will be showcasing the new HR collection to international buyers. Please contact Samantha Etchells at The Known Agency (samantha@theknownagency.com) for more information. 

The Known Agency SS20 Showroom  | 27th Sep - 2nd Oct | Cornette De Saint-Cyr, 6 Avenue Hoche, 75008, Paris

Aje is an australian fashion house dedicated to raw beauty, tough femininity and effortless cool, specialising in elevated, every day essentials and statement occasion wear. 

Devoted to the sustainability of artisan techniques, each seasonal collection is centred around hand loomed and hand- woven fabrications, hand sewn embellishments, and hand-painted prints inspired by the rugged beauty of natural and urban landscapes. 

Aje will be in Paris for their Spring’20 showroom at 40 Rue des Manteaux Paris 75004.

 For appointments please contact Laura Maguire, Global Sales Manager – laura.m@a-j-e.com.au.

We Are Kindred’s story begins with two sisters and a single vision. Established in 2013 by siblings, best friends, and kindreds, Lizzie and Georgie Renkert. The Australian label is a celebration of sexy feminism.

Drawing from over 30 years of collective experience in the fashion industry across magazine editing, design, buying and development, the sisters’ deep respect for one another’s individual aesthetic informs an offering of effortless modern luxury – with a touch of bohemia. 

In a celebration of harmony and symbiosis, We Are Kindred is feminine, yet modern and their innovative designs are realised through rich fabrications, embellishments and bespoke prints.

We Are Kindred will be showing at the Paper Mache Tiger SS20 Showroom at 27 Boulevard Jules Ferry in Paris, from September 26th to October 3rd.

For more information or to make an appointment please contact International Sales Manager Nicola Thompson-Hancock at nicola@wearekindred.com.au.

Founded in 2015, BONDI BORN is an Australian luxury swim and resort wear label delivering body confidence and elevated style. Quality is the cornerstone of BONDI BORN, expressed through every aspect of its brand: from timeless design to premium next-generation fabrics from Italy and Japan, expert Australian-made craftsmanship and a commitment to sustainability. 

BONDI BORN will be attending Paris Fashion Week presenting their SS20 collection with their exclusive global wholesale agent, The Known Agency. From September 27th – October 2nd The Known Agency will be showcasing a curation of contemporary Australian and New Zealand womenswear clothing and accessory brands during SS20 market in Paris from their showroom, which is located at Cornette De Saint - Cyr, 6 Avenue Hoche, 75008 Paris.

“Following BONDI BORN’s Sydney Fashion Week show in May this year, we had an overwhelming response to the brand’s Resort 20 collection at Paris Resort Market in June. 

The introduction of resort wear to the collection not only captivated buyers from around the world but spoke to the current trend in the market. With the brand’s messaging focusing on building your essential ‘’travel uniform.” Buyers felt both the swim and resort wear product was elevated and the quality unmatched. 

During Resort market we secured a number of prestige retailers for BONDI BORN from the United States, Europe, UK, Australia and The Middle East; including Net-A-Porter, Browns, Moda Operandi, Intermix, Luisa Via Roma, Bloomingdales Dubai, Ounass.com, Harvey Nichols Doha, Mode Sportif, Sydney and Rubaiyat. Since Resort market, the interest in BONDI BORN has continued to grow and these same retailers, plus a selection of new prestige players, are booked in to see the collection during Paris Fashion week.” Kate Killey, Director of The Known Agency

The Known Agency SS20 Showroom | 27th Sep - 2nd Oct | Cornette De Saint-Cyr, 6 Avenue Hoche, 75008, Paris

Please contact Samantha Etchells at The Known Agency (samantha@theknownagency.com) for more information. 

Established in 2014 by Australian design duo Julia Ritorto & Kathryn Forth, Acler had a clear brand ethos from the very beginning - the concept of clarity was fundamental in its inception, not only represented in the aesthetic, but also the design methodology.

Ritorto and Forth sought to rebel against the cookie-cutter digital design that has become common place within the fashion industry. Their determination was to bring the design process back to its fundamentally tactile roots, evolving the process of traditional pattern making.

Each collection shows meticulous construction and promotes longevity of design. Acler embodies modern femininity both in the soft silhouettes, but also in sculptural shapes which embrace the female form. There is a strong focus on textural fabrication with intricate lace, linen, embellished cotton and silk satin highlighting each range.

Acler will be showing their SS20 collection during NYFW and PFW in The Known Agency’s NY and Paris showrooms. For enquiries please contact Samantha Etchells - samantha@theknownagency.com

The Known Agency SS20 Showroom | 27th Sep - 2nd Oct | Cornette De Saint-Cyr, 6 Avenue Hoche, 75008, Paris

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AND WHAT ARE WE DOING IN PARIS?

AFC’s Designers Abroad program is built to support Australia’s fashion labels on a global scale, by assisting them to grow their export capability and their global networks. The AFC is proud to continue to project a positive and contemporary image of Australia in key global fashion cities, such as Paris, and we’re thrilled to be returning to the Australian Embassy in Paris.

With special thanks to The Woolmark Company, the Australian Embassy in Paris, Creative Victoria, The Community, Handpicked Wines and Four Pillars Gin.

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Industry Networking Event

In celebration of the Australian fashion and textiles industry abroad, the Australian Fashion Council (AFC) and The Woolmark Company will co-host an exclusive event at the Australian Embassy in Paris. The venue will also feature an innovative display of Merino wool garments from some of Australia’s leading emerging designers, created by Paris-based agency The Community. As part of the AFC Designers Abroad program at Paris Fashion Week, the networking event will focus on creating invaluable commercial and media connections for Australian designers showing at PFW, while helping to raise the profile of Australian fashion on a global scale. 

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Business Breakfast Session

The AFC will also host a business breakfast session at the Australian Embassy in Paris. Featuring a line up of speakers including Lambert & Associates, the workshop will delve into all facets of growing a fashion label in the European market.

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STAY TUNED

Stay tuned for updates and keep an eye out for coverage of some of our incredible members during PFW!