In an Afterpay Australian Fashion Week (AAFW) special, ragtrader.com.au asks key buyers about trade, trends and what's on their agenda. First up is Net-A-Porter market director Libby Page, who reveals which trend recently saw a 140% spike in searches.
What designer collections or product categories are you looking forward to seeing at Australian Fashion Week?
We recently launched Aje at Net-A-Porter which has resonated really well. Each piece is crafted with hand-painted prints, luxurious fabrics and meticulous finishes, so I am excited to see them return to Australian Fashion Week once again.
I am also looking forward to seeing Beare Park. The brand offers a luxurious take on androgyny and sophisticated silhouettes that are bold and elegant. And of course, Australia has always been a strong resource for the new generation of exciting talent.
Has the current macroeconomic climate changed how buyers approach sourcing brands?
We always take a very considered approach to bringing on new brands, we want to make sure when we launch something new, it’s different to anything else we have on the site. This hasn’t changed for us and is a constant part of our strategy.
Are there any other key factors in the current decision-making process as a buyer?
Inclusion and diversity are always key factors that we consider for our product offerings. For example, Australian brand Bondi Born offers beautiful swimwear from XS to XXL, designed to sculpt and flatter the body in environmentally friendly fabrics. Michael Lo Sordo also offers sizes from S to XXXL, focusing on simplicity and elegance.
We also value culture and the story behind each brand. ALÉMAIS draws on the designer’s Lebanese heritage to create contemporary pieces that are crafted by skilled artisans, using natural, organic textiles and traditional techniques that have been passed down through generations.
Which Australian designer brands do you currently stock and what are the best performing styles?
Australia has always been at the forefront of sustainability. We have stocked brands under our Net Sustain edit including Bondi Born, ESSE Studios, Joslin, and Matteau which all consider the longevity of product through strategic design. We have also seen the reinstatement of simplicity, everyday dressing and wardrobe necessities in recent seasons.
Australia has always been a market synonymous with this approach to dressing, styles from Michael Lo Sordo and Christopher Esber have been well received.
Looking more broadly at your portfolio of brands, where do you see the main areas of demand and popularity from consumers currently?
We have seen increased traction for event dressing, especially post-pandemic. Our customers are shifting away from the high-octane glamour that has dominated the space for the past few seasons, to a more understated approach that is embracing eveningwear with ease in a subtle and chic way.
What do you predict will be the next big fashion trend?
“Wardrobe Necessities” is a trend we identified on the Fall/Winter ’23 runway - basic elements delivered in the most luxurious fashion. It was refreshing to see wearable, relaxed, everyday clothes on the runway and designers did this in abundance.
While this season has been one of simplicity, “Attention to detail” is making a big impact. Designers gave us interesting styling details and accessories to really bring their collections to life and show us new ways to wear these wardrobe staples. For example, double shirt styling at Bottega Veneta, shrunken sweaters over the top of crisp shirts at Gucci, rollnecks under anything and everything at Chloe, and sunglasses as the season’s must-have outfit addition.
“Red Hot” is another trend for Fall/Winter this year, thanks to Maximilian Davis and his continued vision for Ferragamo, their now iconic signature red is set to be the new Bottega Veneta green. His influence on other brands was clear and we’ve invested in 20 head-to-toe red looks from the runway. Customer searches for red increased by over 140% following fashion month.