Australian Fashion Week will now go ahead in Sydney next year, as the Australian Fashion Council picks up the pieces left by departing owners IMG, who withdrew from the event last month.

The troubled industry showcase of emerging and established fashion brands will take place at Carriageworks from May 12-16, with the AFC enlisting the event’s co-founder, Simon Lock, to return to the runway. Lock sold AFW to IMG in 2005.

“Lock and the AFC are working to assemble a team with extensive fashion week experience to guide the event’s delivery,” AFC chair Marianne Perkovic said in a statement.

“The approach will ensure the event continues to benefit designers, buyers and the entire fashion ecosystem while driving long-term value for the industry.”

Lock has been based in Europe working in the digital fashion space and the local landscape has changed considerably since sass & bide, Wayne Cooper, Peter Morrissey and Leona Edmiston were the darlings of the runway shows he oversaw.

Dwindling interest from international buyers, and complaints about its timing on the fashion calendar, padded program and the calibre of participating designers have plagued the event.

Despite these obstacles, the NSW government is backing fashion week’s return to relevance with support from Destination NSW.

“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,” John Graham, NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism, said in a statement.

“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.”