THE AFC BOARD APPOINTS RESPECTED INDUSTRY LEADER KELLIE HUSH AS CEO OF AUSTRALIAN FASHION COUNCIL’S AUSTRALIAN FASHION WEEK 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, 22 January 2025

Sydney: The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) Board is delighted to announce the appointment of Kellie Hush as Chief Executive Officer of Australian Fashion Council Australian Fashion Week 2025. A highly regarded leader in the Australian fashion industry, Kellie brings over 20 years’ of experience across media, fashion, and business to this role.

Kellie Hush is one of Australia’s most influential figures in fashion, having served as Editor-in-Chief of Harper’s BAZAAR Australia and as acting CEO of the AFC in 2022. She is a founding director of the AFC and has been a key participant in Australian Fashion Week since its inception. Additionally, she has held significant roles with Melbourne Fashion Festival, further cementing her reputation as a driving force in Australian fashion.

To ensure the successful delivery of Fashion Week 2025, the AFC Board is committed to strengthening resources and capabilities while balancing its broader strategic priorities. Kellie will work closely with the AFC Board and AFC Chief Executive Officer, Jaana Quaintance-James, to deliver an event that  embodies the values of Fashion Week 2025 and supports the growth and evolution of the industry.

“We have consistently emphasised that the AFC cannot achieve this alone—we need to mobilise a dedicated team. With Kellie’s extensive industry experience, long standing relationships, and deep understanding of the AFC, the Board is confident there is no better person to lead Fashion Week 2025 during this pivotal time for both the event and the industry,” said Marianne Perkovic, Chair of the Australian Fashion Council.

Kellie shared her enthusiasm for the role, stating, “I have been attending Australian Fashion Week for over two decades so I am delighted to step into this role, working alongside the AFC and my industry colleagues to deliver a 2025 event that stays true to the core principles of Fashion Week.”

The AFC has made two further appointments to the AFC Australian Fashion Week 2025 team. Jacqui Brown, in the role of Head of Operations brings deep experience in major event development and execution, including at Australian and New York Fashion Weeks, most recently having been in a Production Director role with IMG.  

Zoe Davis, in the role of Head of Strategic Partnerships, has an established career in managing and activating major partnerships across events, music and publishing, most recently as the Commercial Director of Cosmopolitan.  

The AFC Board also acknowledges the tremendous groundwork laid by AFC CEO Jaana Quaintance-James in preparation for Fashion Week 2025. This announcement is a strategic step to bolster AFC’s leadership capacity and allowing Jaana to focus on advancing the AFC’s broader strategic priorities including commerce and trade, local manufacturing, jobs and skills and sustainability. 

The AFC is confident that Kellie’s appointment, along with Jacqui and Zoe, will ensure the success of Fashion Week 2025 and further solidify the event’s reputation as a cornerstone of the Australian fashion industry.

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Prue-ellen Thomas, Head of Marketing and Communications, AFC

pthomas@ausfashioncouncil.com 

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