This week celebrates the return of Australian Fashion Week after the show was missed in 2020. Australian Fashion Week runs from Monday 31st May to Friday 4th June, taking place in different venues in Sydney, including the iconic Carriageworks.
Afterpay has partnered with Australian Fashion Week this year to deliver a sustainability and First Nations Designs theme amongst the elegant designs on the runway this week.
The week’s timetable includes panel discussions alongside the runway shows and a conversation series including designers such as Alex Perry, Camilla Franks, and Adrian Norris. The Indigenous Fashion Projects gallery is a standout on the timeline this week, with 12 Indigenous designers starring in three different events: Welcome to Country, the First Nations Fashion and Design Runway and the First Nations Fashion and Design Talk.
With 36 live runway shows, 70 designers in the line-up and virtual showrooms to explore, front row tickets are available to the public and the fashion elite. Eight designers are offering their pieces as “see now, buy now”, meaning once you spot your dream outfit on the runway, you will be able to purchase it online immediately.
Some standout designers showcasing their work this week in Sydney are Jordan Dalah’s opening show at 9 am on Monday 31st May and Rebecca Vallance at 1 pm. On Wednesday 2nd June, Daniel Avakian and Yousef Akbar are starring at 1:30 pm and 2:30 pm, respectively.
Presenting his Resort ’22 collection, Jordan Dalah is an Australian-British designer who graduated from London’s Central Saint Martin’s fashion college and was noticed immediately by luxury retailer Dover Street Market. He uses ballooning silhouettes and contrasting textures such as wool and leather to create luxurious pieces, retailing at an average of $2000 per piece.
Rebecca Vallance is a Sydney based designer who will be showcasing her new After Dark collection at AAFW. She uses precision tailoring and expensive and luxurious fabrics to create eccentric 80’s style pieces with blocks of colour and textured details. Retailing at an average of $1000, Rebecca’s pieces provide the perfect statement piece with a flawless tailored fit.
Daniel Avakian showcases his works at 1:30 pm on Wednesday. The Australian born designer has stirred recognition in the fashion world since 2006, after completing his studies at the prestigious Accademia Italiana Arte Moda Design in Florence. These custom made pieces most often showcase on the red carpet and at other evening events. With a contemporary design, bespoke tailoring and timeless sophistication, Avakian pants, blazers and dresses average $1000.
Sydney based Saudi-Arabia born designer Yousef Akbar first showcased his work in Australian Fashion Week 2017. His floor-skimming dresses portrayed a unique fluid effect, draping elegantly on the models with dramatic cutouts and slits. His sustainability values are reflected in his use of recycled materials and supporting local communities in the Middle East to create ethical and responsible designs that make a narrative and deliver a message when worn.
Whether you’re a design student or anyone interested in fashion, the wide variety of events available this week provide a chance to immerse yourself in some world-renowned designs and artistic runway shows.