From fashion-forward guests embracing head-to-toe metallic ensembles to brave sheer runway choices, Australian Fashion Week was a melting pot of creativity for the thousands who flocked to Carriageworks to see, and be seen.

Sydney’s hip hub of Redfern was awash with everyone from actors to influencers, fashion media and fashion lovers as the anticipated event showcased the nation’s diverse set of skilled creatives, craftsmanship and community to the world.

There were iconic moments, local Perth talent making their mark and the next big trends strutting the runway. Here are the highlights:

Local Talent

East Coast folk may have made up the majority of fashion week attendees, but Perth influencers, models and fashion brands were spotted representing the West in charismatic style.

WA designer Nat Dann, of Ihraa Swim, took part in the David Jones Indigenous Fashion Projects Runway on Thursday evening alongside First Nations designers Joseph & James, Miimi & Jiinda, Gali Swimwear and Lazy Girl Lingerie.

“Representing Western Australia on a national stage as part of the David Jones Indigenous Fashion Projects Runway is an incredible honour. It’s a privilege to showcase the vibrant and diverse Indigenous culture of WA alongside other talented First Nations designers from across the country,” the Bardi, Nyul Nyul and Nyikina woman exclusively told The West Australian.

“This platform amplifies our voices, shares our stories, and celebrates our heritage with a wider audience. I’m proud to be part of a movement that’s redefining the fashion industry and paving the way for more Indigenous representation and inclusion. It’s a moment to shine a light on the rich cultural heritage of WA and the talent that’s been nurtured here. I’m excited to share this experience with my community and inspire the next generation of Indigenous designers and creatives.”

Dann, from the Kimberley region, grew up in the Pilbara with an interest in fashion since the young age of five.

Model and actor Edyll Ismail made her Australian fashion week debut by walking the runway at both P.E Nation and Albus Lumen showcases, off the back of featuring in NBC science-fiction series La Brea earlier this year and graduating from WAAPA.

“This year was my first time walking for AFW and I had the most incredible time…(it) was magical to say the least,” Ismail told The West Australian.

Former Perth musician and model Isabelle Tolefe walked a variety of runway shows including Beare Park and Bec + Bridge. The prodigy, originally from Manchester, is signed to Priscillas Models and released her first song Vibe You in 2019.

WA beauties Aude Mangharam, signed to Viviens Model Management, and up-and-coming face Ava Edwards, signed to Chadwick, were also spotted.

Although West Australian brand and national fashion heavyweight Poppy Lissiman didn’t have an official runway in the AFW schedule, their unique accessories were donned by guests and featured in the MASTANI show, styled by Jana Bartolo.

Local fashion lovers and F.A Concept Vintage Boutique owners Aymeric Futol and Christian Fert are no strangers to standing out amongst the crowd, for all the right reasons. The dynamic duo attended multiple shows and were photographed outside the fashion week hub at Carriageworks.

“While the event may have evolved compared to previous years, it still holds the same allure,” Futol told The West Australian.

WA social media personalities Hakika Lateef and Tatenda Luna were both part of the action. Lateef boasts a combined 298,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok, and is known for her fun fashion styling videos online. Luna recently relocated to Melbourne from Perth and grew her online audience to a staggering 423,000 on Instagram and 2.2 million on TikTok.

Perth-raised supermodel and actress Gemma Ward maintained her low-key approach and blended in with the crowd at Viktoria & Woods show, held at The Cove Apartment Building in The Rocks, sporting an understated black ensemble. Followed by an appearance at Acler’s runway show in a white silk dress.

Tayla Broad’s fashion week appearance was short and sweet as she captioned an Instagram post “24 hours in Sydney” donning a muted green Effie Kats dress to a Pandora launch event on Wednesday. The Perth-born model and content creator married three-time AFL premiership footballer Nathan Broad in October 2022.

Best Moments

Carla Zampatti’s return to fashion week since the passing of the late legendary namesake designer (in 2021) was a highly-anticipated occasion. The iconic Australian brand, now at the helm of Zampatti’s son Alex Schuman and creative director Karlie Ungar, showcased its resort 2025 collection featuring sophisticated ensembles of high necklines, bulky metallic jewellery, luxurious silk dresses and sheer fabrications.

Cult favourite athleisure brand P.E Nation entered a surprising new era on day two of fashion week, with the launch of their RE/CREATION collection. Steering away from their signature aesthetic of loud colours and clashing prints, creative director Pip Edwards sent a diverse cohort of models down the catwalk in elevated wardrobe staples with a neutral palette and sleek silhouettes.

In a world-first POV livestream, the brand had Perth social media star Unice Wani – who boasts a whopping 8.5million TikTok followers – dressed in a black outfit featuring a fitted phone tripod which livestreamed the runway as she was walking.

“We initially wanted to do something fun that wasn’t just for the fashion enthusiasts, and when this idea started to gain momentum, we started to realise – we think – this might not have been done before,” co-founder and creative director Pip Edwards told PEDESTRIAN TV.

Wani and Ismail posed for a photo together with yellow Wiggle Tsehay Hawkins, pictured, at Staple the Label’s runway show later in the week.

Sydney fashion label Romance Was Born put on a breathtaking celestial showcase with other-worldly props and high-voltage designs. The optimistic colour palette exuded an electric feel, synonymous with the brand’s bold aesthetic and show-stopping designs.

“The essence of Romance was undeniably brought to life in a mystical atmosphere, where three enormous moons hovered above the catwalk, illuminating the models in their whimsical and elaborate attire,” Aymeric Futol told The West Australian.

“It was a true masterclass for the Australian designer, showcasing how to create a captivating show filled with stunning, jaw-dropping pieces.”

The nation’s best up-and-coming talent put on a powerful show at The Next Gen runway, which introduced emerging designers Emily Watson, Amy Lawrance, Abby Potter of House of Campbell and Potirakis to the scene. The FDS runway show rang a similar tune, putting New South Wales TAFE’s Fashion Design Studio graduate creatives in the spotlight, surrounded and supported by notable alumni including Akira Isogawa, Bianca Spender and Nicky Zimmerman.

In a string of firsts, popular Melbourne womenswear brand Viktoria & Woods made their Australian fashion week debut with a collection blending 90s minimalism with sleek suiting in celebration of 20 years in business. Indigenous designer Liandra hosted its first-ever solo Australian Fashion Week show with a collection inspired by the Native Honey Bee.

Hottest Trends

Party season may have come to an end but it seems the Australian fashion industry is not ready to shed its shimmer. Metallics were a top trend in the streets and on the runway.

Ready-to-wear label Acler brought the drama with gold lamé boots alongside a palette of warm sunset hues. New Zealand prodigy Rory William Docherty’s Resort 2025 collection embraced high-shine materials as silver foil-like dresses appeared alongside reflective blazers, hats and bags. In line with the omnipresent metallic notion, womenswear favourites Bec + Bridge and Viktoria & Woods both featured silver garments that shimmered down the runway like Taylor Swift on her record-shattering Eras Tour. Blanca jumped on board with a gold collared shirt and skirt co-ord, but perhaps the most striking iteration was Mariam Seddiq’s complete silver look on Thursday evening, with the model’s skin painted metallic too.

Despite sheer garments and fabrications reigning supreme in 2023, its rule is far from over. Almost every show partook with their own iteration of the next-to-nothing trend, whether it was a slight dabble such as P.E Nation and Carla Zampatti’s sheer skirts or a confident showing like Albus Lumen’s post-apocalyptic dresses and see-through tops or Beare Park’s elegant dresses.

“Sheer is still trending highly, from mesh fabrics to knit sequins. In street style, lots of people are wearing mesh or lace skirts with blazers over the top, it’s becoming more of an everyday piece to wear casually,” Perth stylist Juvelle Behrendorff told The West Australian, who attended the week-long extravaganza in Sydney.

Fashion week also saw the return of the polarising ‘bubble hem’ after a long hibernation. Whether you love it or hate it, there’s no denying the peculiar silhouette— credited to Yves Saint Laurent’s first take in 1959— has taken to a fair few fashionista’s taste buds. Youthful brand Emma Mulholland on Holiday debuted a mini white rendition serving tenniscore chic, with Romance Was Born and Rory William Docherty also participating in the bulbous design feature.

Attendees sporting statement hosiery evidently had their finger on the pulse, as a plethora of brands including Anna Quan, Viktoria & Woods and Beare Park embraced stockings, lace and fishnets in a variety of forms. Bright red tights was a favourite among show-goers.

Notable Names

There was no shortage of celebrities and influencers sprinkled within the crowd of fashion buyers, editors and journalists.

Channel Seven presenters and figures Melissa Doyle, Sonia Kruger, Elliot Garnaut and Kate Waterhouse were in attendance, alongside media personalities Jackie O, Ricki Lee Coulter, and Heartbreak High actors James Majoos, Ayesha Madon and Will McDonald.

The influencer front was stronger than any other year. Big-name creators such as Rebecca Judd, Olivia Molly Rogers, Charlene Davies, Sopha Dopha, Jadé Brycki and Rowi Singh were spotted looking ever so stylish. Other social media stars seen included Sammy Robinson, Lauren Burns, Maxine Wylde and Sarah Ellen – who recently hard-launched her relationship with The Inspired Unemployed’s Matt Ford.