Australian fashion brands such as Cue, Erik Yvon, Gary Bigeni, Iordanes Spyridon Gogos, Karla Špetić and Michael Lo Sordo will feature in Afterpay Australian Fashion Week (AAFW): The Experience.
The event gives consumers access to designer shows and events on the official AAFW schedule, traditionally a trade-only event for buyers and media.
Taking place at Carriageworks in Sydney from May 15-19 and hosted by IMG events, AAFW: The Experience will also showcase collections from David Jones Indigenous Fashion Projects, TAFE NSW’s Fashion Design Studio and DHL Next Gen - AAFW’s emerging designer program.
“This year’s five-day program features Australia’s most exciting designers showcasing their creativity on the Asia-Pacific’s biggest global fashion stage,” IMG Fashion Events and Properties VP and MD Natalie Xenita said.
“The consumer integrated Fashion Week model was pioneered right here in Australia, and the line-up of runway shows and experiences offers fashion fans an unrivalled opportunity to experience the excitement of Fashion Week in person and at AAFW.com.au - the digital destination for AAFW, where they can tune into the shows from anywhere in the world live and on demand.”
AAFW: The Experience will close with a runway show featuring over 50 Australian brands in collaboration between Afterpay and #WeWearAustralian.
Alongside runways, AAFW: The Experience will also feature a series of panels called The Talks, chaired by industry practitioners.
Designer Jackie Wu and model Kai Warr will share a conversation on gender diversity and the fashion industry, including establishing a framework for working with trans and gender-diverse talent.
Designer Alix Higgins will pair with artist Byron Spencer, casting director Basjia Alaaman and Sydney queer icon Jonny Seymour for a conversation exploring the lineage of Sydney’s club culture and its influence on Australian fashion.
There will also be a discussion on fashion trends, with Harper’s Bazaar features and fashion news director Patty Huntington, stylist Miguel Urbina Tan, Urban List fashion editor Sammy Preston, and Xenita in a conversation moderated by Popsugar’s Amanda Bardas.
Additional conversations include one with ALÉMAIS founder and creative director Lesleigh Jermanus, and a sustainability discussion presented by the City of Sydney.
The event will also feature food and beverage options alongside bespoke activations, with Crraigeworks opening daily between 9am and 10pm during AAFW.
AAFW is an IMG event supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW.
Minister for Tourism and the Arts Ben Franklin said the event will aim to bolster retail tourism.
“Afterpay Australian Fashion Week is a signature event on our state’s cultural event calendar, putting a spotlight on Sydney as the fashion capital of Australia and underscoring the importance of retail tourism to the NSW visitor economy.”