Media Release: Future of Fashion Week 2025 secured.

Sydney, Australia: Fashion Week will take place from 12-16 May 2025 at Carriageworks, Sydney, supported proudly by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. 

AFW founder Simon Lock is confirmed to play a crucial role, as part of the team who will deliver the 2025 event. 

Fashion Week 2025 will provide a significant opportunity for the Australian fashion industry to connect with international buyers and media, spotlight their collections and amplify their global presence. 

Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, and Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said: “Fashion Week is an essential showcase of one of our largest creative industries, highlighting the depth of talent not only in NSW but throughout Australia. 

“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.” 

AFC Chair Marianne Perkovic said: “Thank you to the NSW Government and the entire fashion industry for their commitment and collaboration. The AFC looks forward to delivering a world-class experience in 2025 and evolving the event in the future. 

“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. A further announcement will be made on other appointments soon” 

Lock and the AFC are working to assemble a team with extensive Fashion Week experience to guide the event’s delivery. The approach will ensure the event continues to benefit designers, buyers and the entire fashion ecosystem while driving long-term value for the industry. A further announcement will be made on further appointments soon. 

The event will rearm Australia’s role as a global fashion hub, fostering economic growth and innovation across the fashion and textiles sector. 

AFC CEO Jaana Quaintance-James said: “Fashion Week is not just an event; it’s a catalyst for growth, collaboration and the innovation of Australian fashion. 

“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 Fashion Week more impactful for designers, and the broader creative economy.” 

Carla Zampatti CEO Alex Schuman said: “Fashion Week is an essential platform for showcasing Australia’s creative talents. It puts our designers, photographers, models, stylists and influencers on a world stage. I’m confident the AFC will create export opportunities that extend far beyond the runway.” 

Get Involved 

The AFC invites anyone interested in being part of this transformative journey to express their interest by entering their details through the Expression of Interest (EOI) form here. 

-ends 

For further information contact: 

Prue-ellen Thomas 

Head of Marketing and Communications, AFC 

pthomas@ausfashioncouncil.com +61 439 882 788 

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ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN FASHION COUNCIL: 

The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) is a not-for-profit and the peak body for the Australian fashion and textile industry, representing the sector for over 70 years. AFC members are Australian founded or majority owned businesses involved in producing fabric, clothing, footwear or accessories, including individuals that contribute creatively and economically to the Australian fashion and textile industry. The AFC champion and advocate for a prosperous and creative Australian fashion and textiles industry, with the purpose of building a vibrant, inclusive ecosystem for our member community through education, collaboration and innovation. 

Fashion Week Expression of Interest Form

The form below is for suppliers, partners and volunteers. Please find the nomination form for Fashion Week Committee here or Fashion Week Designer Application form here.

Future Makers: The Women Shaping Australian Fashion with the co-founder of bassike.

As the co-founder of bassike, Deborah Sams has redefined modern style with her timeless, sustainable designs. Loved worldwide for their understated luxury, bassike’s pieces have become wardrobe staples for fashion enthusiasts.

We were inspired by Deborah’s journey, her insights on leadership, and her perspective on the role of women leaders in the Australian fashion industry.

1. What was your first start in the industry and can you share your career journey?
I began my journey in the fashion industry by working in retail at Esprit and Marcs. I later transitioned to General Pants as a buyer, where I advanced in my career, built strong connections with peers, and gained valuable insights into the industry.

2. Was there a pivotal moment in your career that led you or pushed you to where you are today?
I was working for other brands and noticed a gap in the market for a minimal jersey line. This was the beginning of bassike, which was created to fill this void in the market. We wanted to create wardrobe essentials that were ethically and sustainably made in Australia from organic cotton. 

3. Are there any mentors or influential figures who played a key role in your leadership style?
Working with our CEO Billy Voss for over 14 years has really helped refine my style and has inspired me as a person and my leadership skills. 

 4. What has been the biggest challenge you have faced on your pathway, and how did you overcome it?
There have been many tough times and challenges along the way. I’ve been able to navigate and overcome these times and by leaning on my team and maintaining a clear focus on my work. 

 5. Our industry is 76% female, however this is not the case at executive level. Do you believe the Australian fashion industry has evolved over the years, particularly in its support for women leaders? What can we all do to help change this statistic?
We’ve been fortunate to have incredible female leaders pave the way in our industry. I believe that by supporting and encouraging the younger generation and other emerging female leaders, this positive movement will continue to grow. We can do this by ensuring women not only have a seat at the table, but also have a voice. It's essential to foster an environment and culture where women feel empowered to share their thoughts, present innovative ideas, and push boundaries.

 

Stay tuned for next month's Future Maker, featuring another trailblazer shaping the future of Australian fashion.

Find out more about bassike.

Have Your Say: The Future of Fashion Week

Following overwhelming encouragement from the industry, the AFC is taking the lead on evolving the future of Fashion Week in Australia. Our role is to listen and guide, and we want your voice at the table - the voices of both AFC members and non-members. 

SHARE YOUR VOICE HERE.

Please complete this survey by AEDT 11.59pm Wednesday 4th December, 2024.

As we plan for this transition, we’re conducting an industry-wide survey to understand your needs, priorities, and vision for an industry-led event. The survey results will also be reviewed independently from the AFC.

However, timelines are tight. So, while there are limitations on what can be implemented in this first year, your input will lay the foundation for a stronger and more impactful event in years to come.

This is our chance to design a future-focused event that aligns with industry, consumers and global markets. Your insights will inform how we approach planning to ensure this platform benefits all designers, brands, and the ecosystem of businesses across our sector.

SHARE YOUR VOICE HERE.

Please complete this survey by AEDT 11.59pm Wednesday 4th December, 2024.

Australian Fashion Council respond to IMG’s Decision on the Future of Australian Fashion Week

Australian Fashion Council Chair Marianne Perkovic and CEO Jaana Quaintance-James, issue the below joint statement.

“The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) has learnt today of IMG’s decision to not proceed with Australian Fashion Week (AFW) in 2025. IMG has owned and operated AFW since 2005, providing a critical platform for Australian designers to showcase their talent and innovation, and positioning Australia as a key player on the global fashion stage. 

Turning to the future, we know we need a platform to profile and celebrate Australian fashion. This moment signals an opportunity for the industry to reimagine and reshape how Australian fashion is represented, and provides us all with an opportunity to explore new ways in which to showcase emerging and established Australian talent. 

The AFC, as the peak body for fashion and textiles in Australia, will lead this conversation. We will work with members, government and other stakeholders to consider the future platform needed to position and elevate Australian fashion internationally”.  

Media contact:
Prue-ellen Thomas
Head of Marketing and Communications, AFC
pthomas@ausfashioncouncil.com +61 439 882 788

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MEMBER DISCUSSION AT AFC AGM

We invite all members to attend the AFC Annual General Meeting on Thursday December 5th 2025, where we will allocate time to discuss and hear feedback from members on what our members need, and how we can collaborate to create a platform that truly shines a light on and creates impact for Australian fashion globally. 

AFC Members, please find your invitation in your inbox to RSVP, or email member@ausfashioncouncil.com

Meet the 2023 Melbourne Fashion Week Student Award winner, Rubee Hay

Taking place at Melbourne's iconic Waterfall Lane, the Student Collections Runway at Melbourne Fashion Week athered Melbourne’s notable up-and-coming designers from the state’s top fashion schools, including Box Hill Institute, Holmesglen Institute, Kangan Institute, RMIT School of Fashion and Textiles and Whitehouse Institute of Design Australia. 

The AFC had the privilege of attending the presentation, and our Project Director, Danielle Kent, participated in the judging panel, selecting the top five finalists and ultimately resulting in two winners, which is a first for this award.

Congratulations to Alexandra Groves and Rubee Hay, students from RMIT School of Fashion and Textiles.

Here, we spoke with one of the two 2023 winners, Rubee Hay about the concept behind her collection ‘Broken body, silly little girl’ and where the future of fashion is heading. 

Q1: Tell us about the concept behind your collection ‘Broken body, silly little girl’. 

‘Broken body, silly little girl’ is an introspection on notions of vulnerability and protection, and their necessary coexistence. It ponders a duality; an ‘I’ and a ‘Me’. ‘I’  am protecting ‘me’. A little girl, broken and cold, dresses herself and protects herself;  shields herself from the wind and from the world, aware of her own fragility.  

Drawing from depictions of isolated women in art and literature, namely ‘The  Apprenticeship or The Book of Pleasures’ by Clarice Lispector, the collection balances a melancholy and hopefulness; a sensitivity within a harsh, hard world.  

Central to the work is the notion of the self-portrait and theories of symbolic interactionism, placing importance on how narrative and communication can influence the way we touch, wear, and care for our garments.  

Q2: How do your garments align with this concept? 

The garments in the collection focus on tailoring and draping, creating a delicate balance between being slightly too small and a touch too big. They acknowledge and serve the wearer, emphasizing the relationship between body, garment, and self. This exploration delves into how garments communicate through their interaction with the body, influence posture, and allow for body exposure, concealment, and manipulation. By emphasizing craftsmanship, technique, and a sentimental commitment to quality, longevity, and slow fashion, the collection nurtures an enduring narrative between the wearer and the garments

Q3: Were there particular materials or techniques used in your collection to symbolise vulnerability and  protection?

It was important to me to steer away from traditional ideas of ‘protection’, which I  think can focus on harshness and hardness. What I am trying to show is more the feeling of being protected, warmth, comfort, and safety. Because of this, I  focused a lot on wool and silk fabrications, there’s a fluidity and softness to natural protein fibers which means they interact with the body in a really special way. 

My practice has a very strong emphasis on construction, with a particular focus on tailoring and draping, which I think was imperative to communicating the body through my garments and acknowledging and honouring the wearer. In terms of technique, I was very conscious of not wanting to add to the fabrics,  only take away. The pulled thread work on the kilt and the hand-cut pinstripe on the pencil skirt, the underneath is where the concept gets translated so I wanted to show that. 

Q4: As a student entering the industry, how important is sustainability within your design process? 

It's hard as a new designer to feel justified in making, but I think thoughtfulness and intention are what’s important. I always want to make with intention, making sure every possible detail of a garment is considered acknowledged, and treated with importance. My practice approaches sustainability through the lens of symbolic interactionism, placing importance on the intangible attributes and personal significance that garments can hold. Narrative and communication are vital elements of my practice,  as I believe the way that we speak about our garments can influence the way we touch, wear, and care for them.  

Sustainability to me is more of a mindset; it's about consuming and creating with a deeper consideration. We live in a culture of rapid, mindless consumption, so I think the key is to challenge that. By approaching design and fashion with an introspective and analytical mindset, we can promote thoughtful consumption and positively influence the longevity of our garments within our wardrobes. 

Within a fast fashion consumerist culture; to nurture the cloth that dresses us, protects us, and creates us, is a fundamental act of resistance.  

Photographer : Ella Maximillion (they/them)
Talent: Jackie Zhou (they/he)

Connect with Rubee
@rubeehay
rubeehay.com.au

With special thanks to Melbourne Fashion Week.

Meet the 2023 Melbourne Fashion Week Student Award winner, Alexandra Groves

The Student Collections Runway at Melbourne Fashion Week brought together some of Melbourne's most promising up-and-coming designers from the state's leading fashion schools, which include Box Hill Institute, Holmesglen Institute, Kangan Institute, RMIT School of Fashion and Textiles and Whitehouse Institute of Design Australia. 

The AFC had the privilege of attending the presentation, and our Project Director, Danielle Kent, participated in the judging panel, selecting the top five finalists and ultimately resulting in two winners, which is a first for this award. 

Congratulations to Alexandra Groves and Rubee Hay, students from RMIT School of Fashion and Textiles.

Here, we spoke with one of the two 2023 winners, Alexandra Groves, whose focus on fashioned knitwear and sustainable hand processes highlights the innovative contributions of young designers to the industry's future.

Q1:  Tell us about the concept behind your collection and how you came to use knitwear.

The motivation behind this collection stemmed from a desire to create future heirlooms. My intention was to create garments that people could cherish and that would withstand the test of time. Building on this idea I found inspiration in the couture designs of the 1950s and 1960s, in particular the work of Cristobal Balenciaga. 

What excited me about these designs was their ability to encapsulate a specific era while remaining contemporary to this day. I found it an interesting challenge to capture these elegant and timeless qualities through the lens of knitwear. I am really interested in working in this space, finding the balance between refinement and rawness in the context of knitwear. 

My background is in textile design so I actually came to fashion through knitwear. I love working with knitwear as it allows me to simultaneously create the textile and the garment. This allows me to really experiment with material exploration and development which is the focus of my work.

Q2: Could you explain the sustainable hand processes used in this collection?

My collection is made using fully fashioned knitwear. Working with this method, each piece of the garment is knit to shape meaning that there is very little waste created. For this collection I have used a lot of hand processes, working with materials and techniques which can not be reproduced by machine.

The intention behind this was to create unique, one-off pieces which can never be perfectly replicated. The inherent mistakes and irregularities that come with hand-making are embraced. I believe these imperfections add character and value and have the potential to resonate more deeply with the wearer and foster a sense of satisfaction. This approach aligns with my interest in emotionally durable design which provides a pathway towards more sustainable and meaningful relationships with fashion and material possessions, fostering a shift away from a culture of disposability and excessive consumption.

Q3: How does your collection reflect the intimate and embodied experience of wearing clothing? Can you describe any design elements that achieve this?

For this collection, I was really interested in the tactility of clothing and how this affects our experience of it. I view wearing clothing as a very personal and intimate interaction, as it is worn so close to our body.

During the textile development for these pieces, my focus was on crafting garments that not only had a luxurious appearance but also offered a luxurious feel when worn. For me, comfort plays a significant role in my choice of clothing and dress. This is one of the reasons why I have a strong inclination toward knitwear. In creating these pieces, my aim was to combine the comfort associated with knitwear with the luxury and elegance of evening wear.

This is what led me to the beaded design elements in my designs. The beads give pieces a really nice weight and drape while the knit allows it to conform to the shape of the body without restricting any movement.

Photographer : Mira Pedlar
Hair and Make Up: Kate McWilliam
Talent: Rosie Graham

Connect with Alexandra
@alexandragroves

With special thanks to Melbourne Fashion Week.