Australian Fashion Week 2025 Gets a Revamp: What’s New and What’s Missing

A Slimmed-Down Schedule and Fresh Approach to Showcase Australian Talent Amidst Australian Fashion Week 2025 Changes

Models in the Beare Park runway show at Australian Fashion Week in May 2024. Credit: Getty Images

Hey Talkers, if you're keeping up with the Australian fashion scene, you might have noticed that Australian Fashion Week 2025 is going to look a little different this year. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the event, once a five-day extravaganza, is shrinking down to just four days. While that may sound like a letdown, the organizers say it's all about quality, not quantity.

So, what's going on? After IMG, the event's former organizers, bowed out last year, the Australian Fashion Council took over, and they’ve made some major changes. The usual Carriageworks venue will now feature only two spaces for runway shows on May 13 and 14, with the latter half of the week moving to private venues. This shift aims to provide a more intimate and curated experience—fewer shows, but with a stronger focus on the industry’s future.

A New Approach to the Fashion Week Format

AFW chief executive Kellie Hush says that this year’s event is more of a "stepping stone," designed to focus on high-quality experiences rather than packing everything into a jam-packed schedule. “We had a lot to do in 100 days, so we are making sure that this is about quality. That’s what the industry wants,” Hush shared. The revamped format is expected to be leaner but more meaningful.

Big names like Aje, Carla Zampatti, and Lee Mathews are returning to the lineup, and there are some fresh faces like Farage, Nagnata, and Sir The Label making their debut. Romance Was Born, Gary Bigeni, and Beare Park are also on the list, so the event still promises to be a great showcase of local talent, just with fewer shows and a sharper focus.

Why Some Designers Are Embracing Change

Designers like Aje co-founder Adrian Norris are open to the changes, even though they initially questioned their involvement after IMG’s departure. “We weren’t going to do fashion week again with the previous owners,” Norris admitted. “We could’ve survived without doing this week, but we are definitely one of the bigger brands and not being involved probably would’ve been detrimental.” Aje will hold its show off-site at the new Barangaroo Pavilion, presenting its resort collection to keep up with the industry and its business needs.

On the other hand, Beare Park designer Gabriella Pereira is using this moment to reset. Rather than focusing on international buyers, she’s shifting to a “see now, buy now” approach for her collection, which will be available for immediate order on her website. Pereira sees this as a way to better serve her customers, who want to buy pieces without waiting until months later.

Model Sofia Palladino (right) with Aje co-founder Edwina Forest at Barangaroo, where they will show their resort collection at Australian Fashion Week.Credit:Janie Barret

New Opportunities and Challenges

This year’s AFW isn’t just about runway shows—it’s also about offering new opportunities. Designers can participate in group shows, lowering costs while still gaining exposure, and the event has partnered with Splash, a trade show, to attract more wholesale buyers. Hush says that they’ve already confirmed 160 buyers will attend the event, which signals that AFW is working hard to reinvent itself and make the most of its limited resources.

However, not everyone is on board with the changes. Gail Sorronda, an internationally respected designer, had her application for AFW denied in February because her focus wasn’t on wholesale orders. Additionally, TAFE NSW, which had been an integral part of AFW by showcasing emerging designers, won’t be part of the official schedule this year. Although TAFE is open to re-aligning with AFW in the future, it’s a significant shift for the event’s role in supporting new talent.

The Future of Australian Fashion Week

Despite the changes, Hush insists that the event is still about collaboration, not exclusivity. “We’re not saying to anyone you cannot show during AFW,” she explained. “It’s not an exclusive club, but we can’t have everyone on the schedule this year.” The goal is to rebuild the event, focusing on the essentials and setting the stage for future growth.

So, while Australian Fashion Week 2025 will look quite different from the past, it’s clear that there’s a lot of excitement about this new direction. With fewer shows, a shorter schedule, and a focus on quality over quantity, AFW is stepping into a new chapter—one that’s all about sustainability, innovation, and elevating Australian talent.

What do you think about the changes? Do you prefer the smaller, more intimate feel, or do you miss the larger, more crowded events of the past?Australian Fashion Week 2025 Gets a Revamp: What’s New and What’s Missing