Australian fashion brands such as Cue, Erik Yvon, Gary Bigeni, Iordanes Spyridon Gogos, Karla Špetić and Michael Lo Sordo will be at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week (AAFW): The Experience.
The event provides consumers with access to designer shows and events based on the AAFW’s official schedule, traditionally a trade-only event for buyers and media.
AAFW: The Experience, held May 15-19 at Carriageworks, Sydney and organized by IMG Events, will feature the David Jones Indigenous Fashion Projects, TAFE NSW’s fashion design studio and DHL Next Gen – AAFW’s Emerging Designers Program. Collections will also be on display.
“This year’s five-day program will see Australia’s most exciting designers showcase their creativity on Asia Pacific’s largest global fashion stage,” said Natalie Zenita, VP and MD, Fashion Events and Properties, IMG.
“The fashion week model that integrates the consumer has been pioneered right here in Australia. The line-up of runway shows and experiences will give fashion fans the excitement of fashion week in person and as a digital destination, AAFW.com.au AAFW will give you the unparalleled opportunity to experience programming from anywhere in the world, live or on demand.”
AAFW: The Experience concludes with a runway show featuring over 50 Australian brands in collaboration with Afterpay and #WeWearAustralian.
Along the runway, AAFW: The Experience will also host a series of panels called The Talks, chaired by industry experts.
Designer Jackie Wu and model Kai Wu discuss gender diversity and the fashion industry, including establishing a framework for working with transgender and gender-diverse talents.
Designer Alix Higgins has partnered with artist Byron Spencer, casting director Basziah Alaman and Sydney queer icon Johnny Seymour to explore Sydney’s club culture heritage and influence on Australian fashion. explore.
Discussions on fashion trends are also planned. Harper’s Bazaar Featured and fashion news director Patti Huntington, stylist Miguel Urbina Tan, urban list Conversation hosted by Fashion Editor Sammy Preston and Xenita pop sugars Amanda Baldas.
Other conversations include a conversation with ALÉMAIS Founder and Creative Director Lesleigh Jermanus and a discussion on sustainability by the City of Sydney.
The event will also feature food and drink options in addition to bespoke activations, and Crraigeworks will be open daily from 9am-10pm during AAFW.
AAFW is an IMG event supported by the Government of New South Wales through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
Tourism and Arts Minister Ben Franklin said the event is aimed at boosting retail tourism.
“Afterpay Australian Fashion Week is the flagship of the state’s cultural events calendar, putting the spotlight on Sydney, Australia’s fashion capital, and highlighting the importance of retail tourism to NSW’s tourist economy. It’s an event.”