Australian Fashion Week (AFW) is returning to Sydney in 2025, and with only a few short weeks to go until the biggest moment in Australia’s fashion calendar kicks off, it’s officially time to start planning your outfits and preparing for new trends that will emerge.
Each year, for a week in May, the fashion set descends on Carriageworks in Eveleigh to view the upcoming resort collections, and this year will be no different. The week kicks off on Monday evening, with Carla Zampatti opening festivities with a runway created on the lawn at the Museum of Contemporary Art, followed by an official after-party. Then, following a Welcome To Country, Carriageworks will become the main stage for designers like Lee Mathews, Nagnata and Beare Park.
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Last year, IMG ended its 20-year partnership with the event, with not-for-profit Australian Fashion Council taking the lead alongside Destination NSW. Shark Beauty also boarded as the official presenting partner for the 2025 event, with eBay Australia and Commonwealth Bank of Australia as Gold partners.
Keep reading to find out what you can expect from Australian Fashion Week 2025.
When is Australian Fashion Week 2025?
True to form, AFW 2025 will take place this autumn, running from Monday May 12 to Friday May 16.
Visit the Australian Fashion Week official website to stay up to date with each day's programming.
Where will Australian Fashion Week 2025 take place?
Carriageworks in Sydney’s Redfern has become synonymous with Australian Fashion Week, and just like previous years, it will be the hub for the week. The action will be as much outside as inside, with street style moments always making waves before shows.
The bigger showings will take place in the larger gallery spaces, and panel discussions will take place in the smaller rooms. Shows will also be held at off-site locations each day. For 2025, Bianca Spender's show will be held at St. Barnabas Church in Ultimo, and eclectic designers Nicol & Ford will host their show at The Vanguard.
Which designers are showing at Australian Fashion Week 2025?
The highly anticipated schedule and programming for AFW sees the return of some long-standing designers to the Carriageworks stages and the addition of some new faces. 2025 sees Australian Fashion Week focusing on established Australian designers and connecting with buyers and international delegates as a priority. This is not to say that up-and-coming Australian designers won't be given a platform, with the New Gen runway showcasing labels like Boteh and Mimii + Jiinda, as well as several designers making their AFW debut.
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Carla Zampatti will return once again, opening AFW. The label had a four-year hiatus until 2024, and this will be the second Australian show under the label’s creative director, Karlie Ungar. Ksubi will also be making a return – those familiar with Australian fashion history will recall their infamous 'rats on the runway' show from 2001 back when the brand was known as Tsubi, and the following 2002 show which saw models plunge into Sydney harbour from boats.
A new group show titled 'The Frontier' will spearhead AFW's first full day, featuring a collection of Australian and New Zealand based brands such as Paris Georgia, Esse, Matin and Wynn Hamlyn. Also, expect the wild and wonderful from Iordanes Spyridon Gogos, Nicol & Ford and Romance Was Born, all of which have put on spectacular shows in past years.
The full list of designer runway shows and presentations at AFW 2025 includes: Aje, Alix Higgins, Amy Lawrance, Beare Park, Bianca Spender, Boteh, Buluuy Mirrii, Carla Zampatti, Common Hours, Courtney Zheng, Esse Studios, Farage, Gary Bigeni, Haluminous, Hansen and Gretel, Iordanes Spyridos Gogos, Joseph & James, Karla Špetić, Ksubi, Lee Mathews, Liandra, macgraw, Mariam Seddiq, Matin, Miimi + Jiinda, Nagnata, Ngali, Nicol & Ford, Paris Georgia, Permanent Vacation, Romance Was Born, Wynn Hamlyn and 1800 Psycho.
Who can go to Australian Fashion Week 2025?
AFW always attracts media folk, designers, influencers, and buyers, and while past years have seen the industry event transformed into a consumer experience as well, with several shows offering tickets to the public.
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2025 makes a return to invitation-only for the most part, although there has been the introduction of The Studio, which is described as "a new experience open to registered members of the public" to offer "a curated Fashion Week experience." It will also live-stream all the runway shows.
What kind of events can I expect during Australian Fashion Week 2025?
In addition to the designer runway shows, there will also be a packed program of conversations and events that are open to industry-goers. These include: AFC Talks, a dinner collaboration between eBay and Vogue Australia, and the official opening party.
There will also be a business trade show called The Atelier, which aims to connect designers with international buyers and industry leaders, and is open to all delegates. Carriageworks will be buzzing all week, with spots to settle in for a cocktail and a snack, as well as activations from key sponsors.
Be sure to check back here in the lead up to Australian Fashion Week, as we’ll be updating this story with scheduling and more exciting announcements.
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