PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival has announced that long-serving CEO Graeme Lewsey has resigned from his position.
Lewsey will remain as a principal consultant across special projects to support the 2022 Festival, MFF business and the Board, while MFF chief operating officer Yolanda Finch will commence as Acting CEO.
In his decade of leading the Festival, Lewsey oversaw significant growth of the event through creative event delivery, curatorial programming and innovative consumer marketing.
During his tenure, Lewsey introduced the Shop The Runway feature, oversaw the revitalisation of the National Designer Award presented by David Jones, established the Australian Fashion Summit and onboarded globally recognised corporate partners.
These initiatives delivered significant direct economic impact for fashion designers, retailers and the wider Victorian economy.
"It’s been an absolute honour and privilege to have served the Australian fashion industry at the helm of this significant major event," Lewsey said.
"I’m incredibly grateful for the many members of the current and previous MFF Boards who have given me so much support and encouragement as their CEO and I acknowledge the contributions from the talented individuals and suppliers who’ve been part of the Festival ‘A-team’ over these many years.
"I wholeheartedly feel that I’ve achieved above and beyond what I’d hoped I could for the Festival and Victoria’s creative and major events industry sector.
"I look forward to watching the Festival business continue to soar and serve its stakeholders and community," he said.
MFF Chair Launa Inman added that Lewsey has been a valuable leader of the MFF.
"Graeme has led the Festival to great heights during his stewardship, serving three Chairs and delivering extraordinary outcomes that have undoubtably lifted the economic vitality of the Australian fashion industry.
"I’ve known Graeme for many years while I’ve served on the MFF Board, and it has always been a pleasure to observe his leadership capabilities and creativity, backed up with outstanding results.
"His leadership will be missed, however I’m delighted that he will still remain connected and involved in this upcoming Festival and beyond," she said.
PayPal MFF will run from 3 to 12 March 2022.