Australian Fashion Week is one of Sydney’s biggest annual events, and this year, it’s back, kicking off Monday, May 15 and running until Friday, May 19. And on Tuesday, March 22, the highly anticipated schedule was announced.
This year, AAFW will feature 46 designer runway shows and presentations from new and notable names including Alemais, St. Agni and Youkhana. While many of the shows will take place at Carriageworks, the official hub, a handful will be held offsite at various spots around the city.
Lesleigh Jermanus of Alemais, who won the Emerging Designer of the Year award at last year’s Fashion Laureate in Sydney will be making her Fashion Week debut, as will Joslin, Maggie Marilyn and Haulier.
“The 2023 schedule features the next generation of Australian designers defining the future of Australian fashion alongside some of the industry’s biggest names, and celebrates the ingenuity and unmatched creative talent of our country,” said Natalie Xenita, Vice President-Managing Director of IMG Fashion Events and Properties, Asia-Pacific.
“The Australian fashion industry is a global powerhouse and AAFW in Sydney is its keystone.”
Also on the line-up are 11 First Nations fashion designers, including shows by Ngali, ING’s Next Gen presented by DHL 2023 winner Liandra Swim, and MAARA Collective and Aarli, two designers featured in AAFW’s closing night show We Wear Australian x Afterpay.
AAFW: The Talks presented by Glenfiddich, IMG’s slate of curated conversations and special events, will also be on again this year. ‘New Voices in Fashion Criticism’ on Thursday, May 18 at 5pm will see fashion researcher and digital creator Kim Russell and @unpnextdesigner’s Albert Ayal speak to Vogue Australia’s Jonah Waterhouse on how for a new generation of front-row devotees social media has become a destination for fashion commentary.
Another talk of note, ‘Sustainability and Industry 4.0’ on Wednesday, May 17 at 12pm will see University of Technology Sydney’s Dr Lisa Lake and Bondi Born founder Dale McCarthy discussing the sustainable fashion technologies shaping the future of fashion.
‘On Trend: Key Directions in Australian Fashion’ on Friday, May 19 at 5pm will feature a panel discussion by Net-a-Porter’s Market Director Libby Page, Harper’s Bazaar Fashion Features Director Patty Huntington, Urban List Fashion Editor Sammy Preston, stylist Miguel Urbina Tan and Xenita, moderated by POPSUGAR Australia (our very own) publisher Amanda Bardas.
Same as last year, select shows during AAFW 2023 will once again be open to the public. Tickets are on sale now, and start at $120 for runways and $49 for talks and seminars.
Monday 15 May
9am WELCOME TO COUNTRY — Track 8
10am – ALÉMAIS Presented by Porsche) — Gallery I
11am – ST. AGNI — Gallery III
12:30pm – BONDI BORN — Offsite
2pm – YOUSEF AKBAR — Gallery II
3pm – ASIYAM — Gallery III
4:30pm – MAGGIE MARILYN — Offsite
5pm – THE TALKS: Opening Reception (Presented by Glenfiddich) — Track 8
6pm – YOUKHANA — Gallery II
7pm – MICHAEL LO SORDO (Presented by Afterpay) — Gallery I
8pm – MARIAM SEDDIQ — Offsite
8:30pm – MICHAEL LO SORDO* (Presented by Afterpay) — Gallery I
Tuesday 16 May
8:30am – AJE — Offsite
10am – Blanca — Gallery II
11am – BIANCA SPENDER — Gallery III
12:30pm – ANNA QUAN — Offsite
2pm – ERIK YVON* — Gallery I
3pm – CHRISTIAN KIMBER — Gallery II
4:30pm – BEC & BRIDGE — Offsite
5pm – THE TALKS Identity and Agency: Gender Diversity and the Fashion Industry (Presented by Glenfiddich)
7pm – GARY BIGENI* — Gallery II
8pm – IORDANES SPYRIDON GOGOS* (Presented by Afterpay) — Gallery I
9pm – WYNN HAMLYN — Offsite
Wednesday 17 May
9am – SARAH & SEBASTIAN — Gallery II
10am – NGALI — Gallery II
11am – GAIL SORRONDA — Gallery III
12pm – SUSTAINABILITY & INDUSTRY 4.0 (Presented by City of Sydney) — Track 8
12:30pm – TO BE ANNOUNCED — Offsite
2pm – INJURY — Gallery I
3pm – FDS: THE INNOVATORS: FASHION DESIGN STUDIO TAFE NSW* — Gallery II
4:30pm – JOSLIN — Offiste
5pm – THE TALKS: I Love the Nightlife: Club Culture and Fashion (Presented by Glenfiddich) — Track 8
6pm – AUTEUR — Gallery III
7pm – KARLA ŠPETIĆ* — Gallery II
8pm – INDIGENOUS FASHION PROJECTS* (Presented by Afterpay) — Gallery I
9pm – COMMAS — Offsite
Thursday 18 May
11am – VERNER — Gallery III
12pm – WOMEN WITH DRIVE: LESLEIGH JERMANUS (Presented by Porsche)
12:30pm – ACLER — Offsite
2pm – ALBUS LUMEN — Gallery I
3pm – TO BE ANNONUCED — Gallery II
4:30pm – MACGRAW — Offsite
5pm – THE TALKS: New Voices in Fashion Criticism (Presented by Glenfiddich) — Track 8
6pm – NICOL & FORD — Gallery III
7pm – SPEED — Gallery II
8pm – CUE* (Presented by Afterpay) — Gallery I
Friday 19 May
10am – ALIX HIGGINS — Gallery II
11am – WACKIE JU — Gallery III
12:30pm – HENNE — Offsite
2pm – NEXT GEN* — Gallery II
3pm – PHOEBE PENDERGAST — Gallery III
4:30pm – HAULIER — Offsite
5pm – THE TALKS On Trend: Key Directions in Australian Fashion (Presented by Glenfiddich) — Track 8
6pm – CAROLINE REZNIK — Gallery II
7pm – WE WEAR AUSTRALIAN x AFTERPAY* — Gallery I
