A Wrap On 2025 Australian Fashion Week
Australian Fashion Week 2025 illuminated Sydney with a celebration of heritage, innovation, and emotional storytelling.
Standout designers—Bianca Spender, Carla Zampatti, Lee Mathews, Mariam Seddiq, and Beare Park - each presented collections that not only honored their unique brand identities but also introduced fresh perspectives for the upcoming season. Additionally, Farage and Aje made significant impressions with their respective showcases. Here's an in-depth look at their runway presentations and how clients can incorporate these trends into their wardrobes.
DESIGNER HIGHLIGHTS AND STYLING INSIGHTS
Carla Zampatti – “Ubiquity”
Marking its 60th anniversary, the Carla Zampatti label opened Australian Fashion Week with a tribute collection titled "Ubiquity." The show featured a collaboration with 14 prominent Australian designers, each contributing pieces that interpreted Zampatti's design ethos. The collection showcased vibrant colors, sensual draping, and modern tailoring, honoring Zampatti’s legacy while introducing contemporary elements.
Styling Tip: Embrace bold colors and tailored silhouettes. A brightly colored blazer or a draped dress can add a modern twist to classic pieces, making them suitable for both professional and social settings.
Bianca Spender – “Deliquesce”
Bianca Spender's "Deliquesce" collection was a poetic exploration of transformation and release. Presented at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, the show featured sculptural draping, fluid asymmetry, and billowing silhouettes that moved gracefully. The palette of black, white, and soft pinks added to the ethereal quality of the pieces.
Styling Tip: Incorporate sheer layering pieces and fluid silhouettes into your wardrobe. Pair a sheer blouse with tailored trousers for a balanced look, or opt for a flowing dress in soft hues for an elegant daytime ensemble.
Lee Mathews – 25th Anniversary Collection
Celebrating 25 years in fashion, Lee Mathews presented a collection that paid homage to the brand’s journey. The runway featured breezy dresses in cotton, linen, and gingham, adorned with appliqué florals, lace, and unique details like hooped skirts and apron-back pinafores. The collection exuded a sense of nostalgia and craftsmanship.
Styling Tip: Incorporate natural fabrics and vintage-inspired details into your wardrobe. A linen dress with lace accents or a gingham skirt can evoke a timeless, romantic aesthetic suitable for various occasions.
Mariam Seddiq – “The Decade”
Mariam Seddiq’s “The Decade” collection was a celebration of her ten-year journey in fashion. The show was a theatrical experience, featuring sculptural silhouettes, bold colors, and intricate embellishments. Seddiq's designs exuded confidence and artistic expression, solidifying her status as a distinctive voice in Australian fashion.
Styling Tip: Incorporate statement pieces with bold colors or unique structures into your wardrobe. A sculptural jacket or a brightly colored dress can serve as a focal point, allowing you to express individuality and confidence.
Beare Park – Resort 2025 Collection
Beare Park’s Resort 2025 collection, presented at Carriageworks, showcased a shift towards more daring designs while maintaining the brand's signature sophistication. The collection featured slinky silk dresses, sculptural tailoring, and a blend of masculine and feminine elements. Designer Gabriella Pereira emphasized modern luxury with pieces that exuded quiet confidence.
Styling Tip: Embrace minimalist yet bold pieces. A silk slip dress paired with a structured blazer can create a balanced look that transitions seamlessly from day to night.
Farage – Resort 2026 Debut
Farage made a momentous entrance onto the official runway stage at Australian Fashion Week, unveiling its Resort 2026 collection with quiet strength and elevated sophistication. After 27 years of refined craftsmanship, this debut was more than a milestone—it was a tribute. Co-founder Joe Farage dedicated the show to his late mother, Charlotte, infusing the presentation with heartfelt emotion and timeless grace drawn from her enduring spirit.
Styling Tip: Invest in well-tailored suits in jewel tones. Pair a tailored blazer with matching trousers for a powerful office look, or mix and match with other pieces for versatile styling options.
Aje – “Impression” Resort 2026
Aje returned to the runway with sculptural silhouettes, raw textures, and a coastal ease that has come to define the brand. A bold play of proportion and polish, grounded in a distinctly Australian sensibility.
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Styling Tip: Incorporate pieces with sculptural elements and raw textures into your wardrobe. A structured dress with raw edges or a top with exaggerated sleeves can add a contemporary edge to your look.
Romance Was Born – “The Nothing”
Marking their 20th anniversary, designers Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales of Romance Was Born presented "The Nothing," a collection inspired by childhood nostalgia and fantasy. The show featured vibrant colors, dramatic silhouettes, and intricate embellishments, reflecting the brand's signature theatrical style. Collaborations with artists like Zaachariaha Fielding added depth and cultural significance to the collection.
Styling Tip: Embrace bold colors and statement pieces. Incorporate elements like sequins, tulle, or unique prints into your outfits to add a touch of drama and individuality.
ESSE Studios – “Edition No. 13”
As part of the Frontier group show, ESSE Studios presented "Edition No. 13," focusing on timeless design with a balance of masculine and feminine elements. The collection featured luxurious leather separates, sharp coats, and a sequined dress with a slinky cowl back, emphasizing quiet strength and emotional connection.
Styling Tip: Invest in versatile, high-quality pieces that can be styled in multiple ways. A well-tailored coat or a statement dress can serve as a foundation for various looks, ensuring longevity and adaptability in your wardrobe.
KEY TRENDS TO EMBRACE
Sheer Fabrics: Incorporate sheer elements through layering or as statement pieces to add depth and intrigue to your outfits.
Bold Colors: Don't shy away from vibrant hues. Incorporate bold colors through accessories or standout garments to enliven your wardrobe.
Natural Textures: Opt for garments made from natural fabrics like cotton, linen, and silk to achieve a timeless and comfortable aesthetic.
Sculptural Silhouettes: Experiment with pieces that have unique structures or draping to add an artistic flair to your ensemble.
Modern Tailoring: Invest in tailored pieces that offer a contemporary twist, such as blazers with unique cuts or trousers with unexpected details.
Interested to know what I wore to AFW?