Country Road founder Stephen Bennett has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement award at the Australian Fashion Laureate this week.
Bennett - who was unable to attend the event - joined five other industry leaders who were awarded at the event. Alemais founder Lesleigh Jermanus took home the coveted Designer of the Year award - presented by Shark Beauty - while Beare Park founder Gabriella Pereira won the Emerging Designer of the Year award - presented by Pandora.
The Indigenous Designer of the Year award, presented by ByHealth, was awarded to Grace Lillian Lee, while the Sustainable Designer of the Year, presented by The Volte, went to Nagnata founders Laura May and Hannah Gibbs.
Meanwhile, Thread Together founder Andie Halas was awarded the Carla Zampatti Award for Excellence in Leadership.
The 2024 Australian Fashion Laureate is the last one to be hosted by IMG following the global event company’s exit from the Australian Fashion Week program. It is not yet known if the awards program will return in 2025, however, peak body the Australian Fashion Council has since taken on the reins of the industry runway event that is expected to be held in May next year.
The Laureate was established in 2008 in partnership with the NSW Government, and was held at the Sydney Opera House this year.
IMG’s APAC fashion events and properties VP and managing director Natalie Xenita said the awards program provides an important platform for honouring the creative excellence and achievements of the Australian Fashion industry.
“We are thrilled to bring the industry together for our final event to celebrate the accomplishments of Australian designers and industry leaders who have been the driving force behind Australian fashion’s cultural and economic impact this year,” Xenita said.
Australian Fashion Laureate winners were determined by a panel of over 35 industry leaders comprised of media, buyers, stylists, communications professionals, designers and top business and retail executives.
The Australian Fashion Laureate is supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW. In addition to Destination NSW, the Australian Fashion Laureate is also supported by David Jones, K&L Gates, and Dinosaur Designs which donated the award statuettes.
At the end of the presentation, Xenita thanked the entire IMG fashion and events team for working so tirelessly to support the local industry.
“There's also countless crew - many of you here today - and volunteers who have supported our team to make our events possible over the years, and each and every one of you has left a lasting mark, so we thank you," she said.
“I'd also like to acknowledge IMG senior vice president and managing director Chris Gilbert for his incredible contribution over the last 20 years to Australian fashion.
“Finally, I'd like to thank Nikki Andrews and the entire NAC Media team who've been by our side for many years. We couldn't have done it without you, and we're very grateful for your partnership.”