Afterpay Australian Fashion Week (AAFW), formerly known as Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia, has unveiled its final lineup of events and programming. This highly anticipated fashion event will take place from May 31 to June 4 at Carriageworks in Sydney, as well as other select venues. Organized by IMG, AAFW has introduced the “2021 Changemakers,” a group of 24 designers who will participate in various capacities throughout the official AAFW schedule.
Among the esteemed group of “Changemakers” are talented designers such as Daphne Nguyen, Emma Jarman, Gadir Rajab, Gillian Campbell, Grace Lillian Lee, Joel Babicci, Joel Forman, Jordan Dalah, Jordan Gogos, Justin Ridler, Levi Neufeld, Lisa Cox, Lisa Fatnowna, Mahalia Handley, Manahou Mackay, Nathan Mcguire, Richard Jarman, Rory Rice, Sarah Starkey, Tre Koch, and Yatu Widders-Hunt.
The event promises a diverse range of activities, including captivating shows, insightful presentations, engaging trade showrooms, virtual content, and exciting programming. Attendees can look forward to the return of beloved fashion label Romance Was Born, which will kick off the event on Monday. Another anticipated highlight is Afterpay’s “Future of Fashion” Runway on Friday, June 4, which will be the first collective showcase celebrating the principles of diversity, inclusion, sustainability, and accessibility. Additionally, the Indigenous Fashion Projects runway will take place on Thursday, June 3, featuring collections from leading First Nations designers.
Complementing the runway shows are the trade showrooms known as The Suites, where AAFW’s visiting buyers and media will have the opportunity to discover a thoughtfully curated selection of Australian designers. AAFW aims to boost trade outcomes for Australian fashion designers by launching the AAFW edition of AFC Virtual on ORDRE, a luxury online wholesale portal.
Returning this year are IMG’s culturally enriching panel discussions, featuring notable figures within the fashion industry. The event will also include additional conversations and special events, including an exclusive talk with Nicky and Simone Zimmermann, the founders of the renowned Zimmermann brand.
AAFW recently made headlines by announcing its new title sponsor, Afterpay, and its commitment to inclusivity. For the first time, AAFW will be open to the public, allowing consumers to purchase tickets for select shows on the official schedule and providing access to VIP packages.
Nick Molnar, co-founder and co-CEO of Afterpay, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership with IMG and emphasized the company’s dedication to supporting Australian designers on a global scale. Afterpay is committed to nurturing both emerging talents and established designers, ensuring a bright future for the fashion industry.
It is important to note that the 2020 edition of Australian Fashion Week was unfortunately canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, this year, IMG is welcoming around 1,600 industry professionals from over 20 countries to attend the event and witness the Resort 2021 ready-to-wear collections.
Australian Fashion Week is set to be a significant event in the fashion world, showcasing the exceptional talent and creativity of Australian designers while embracing diversity, sustainability, and inclusion. With a full schedule of captivating shows, informative presentations, and thought-provoking special events, AAFW promises to be a celebration of the future of fashion.
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