By Brandis Ohlsson
Autumn in Australia usher’s in the annual Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia. Since it’s conception, Australian Fashion Week Australia has been the platform for local designers to gain global attention. This year the annual fashion showcase celebrates close to 20 years. The first, launched in 1996, was brought by PR consultant Simon Lock. Lock sold the event and it’s parent company Australian Fashion Innovators to International Management Group, or better known as IMG, in New York.
2015’s Australian Fashion Week also marked the return of Autralian supermodel, GemmaWard, to her country’s fashion stage, opening for deigner Kim Ellery. Ward originally made her fashion debut on that same stage when she was 15 years old in 2003. At one time Ward was one of the most in demand supermodels in the world, but in 2006 the star decided she needed a break, and did not return to the modelling world until her 2014 appearance in the Prada runway show. So needless to say it was great for the event to have her back.
As for the fashion’s at 2015’s event, it’s been said that a subdued colour palette and experimental silhouettes reigned. W Magazine named it’s “6 Australian Designers to Watch” including Alice McCall, daughter of renowned designer Carla Zampatti – Bianca Spender, Bec & Bridge, Christopher Esber, and Romance was born.
Here’s to 20 more years of Australian Fashion!
