IMG has announced the finalists of the 2020 Australian Fashion Laureate, celebrating Australia's fashion innovators and leaders.
However, as with many things this year, the fashion laureate has adapted to the times, introducing and reimagining a range of categories.
Recognising the resilience and creativity Australian fashion designers have demonstrated throughout this year, IMG has introduced an inaugural award category, '2020 Change and Innovation.'
This award category acknowledges fashion leaders and organisations that have exhibited outstanding adaptability and performance in the wake of crisis, demonstrating an ability to keep pace with the changing social, cultural and economic challenges of 2020.
For the first time, in the 2020 Change and Innovation category, an Australian Fashion Laureate award will be presented to four uniquely qualified recipients.
IMG fashion events group executive director APAC Natalie Xenita said that it was important to recognise and celebrate designers who have remained resilient this year.
"Following a year of extraordinary challenges, the Australian Fashion Laureate provides an important platform to highlight the Australian fashion industry’s resilience in the face of crisis.
"This year’s nominees showcase not only Australia’s exceptional design talent, but also organisations which have demonstrated their ability to keep pace with ever-changing cultural and economic environments, continually strengthening the Australian fashion industry and reflecting the needs of the global audience it serves," she said.
IMG has also introduced a People's Choice Award, giving consumers the opportunity to vote for their favourite Australian fashion designers.
A total of 47 People's Choice finalists have been selected by IMG and Afterpay, with voting open on the Afterpay website until November 27.
Meanwhile, the Best Australian Emerging Designer Award has also been reimagined to recognise leadership among the next generation of design talent in womenswear, menswear or accessories.
The Sustainable Innovation Award has also adapted to 2020, with the award being presented in two category distinctions this year: Emerging Designer and Established Designer.
The Australian Fashion Laureate Lifetime Achievement will remain true to its heritage and will honour those who have over time, made a significant contribution to the growth and development of the Australian fashion industry.
The finalists in the 2020 IMG Australian Fashion Laureate are:
2020 Change and Innovation
- Nobody Denim
- Showroom-X
- Gorman
- Fella Hamilton
Sustainable Innovation (Emerging Designer), presented by GlamCorner
- A.BCH
- Nagnata
- Arnsdorf
- Esse Studios
Sustainable Innovation (Established Designer), presented by GlamCorner
- KITX
- Outland Denim
- Nobody Denim
- Bassike
Best Australian Emerging Designer, presented by Shopify
- Nagnata
- Esse Studios
- MAARA Collective
- MNDATORY
Winners will be announced on December 01 at a celebratory luncheon at Catalina Restaurant, Rose Bay, Sydney.