Day One
Carla Zampatti
Australian Fashion Week officially opened on Monday evening with a powerful tribute to one of the country’s most iconic fashion houses: Carla Zampatti. Held in front of the Museum of Contemporary Art with the Sydney Opera House and CBD glittering in the background, the setting was nothing short of cinematic. And after a day of rain, the skies cleared for the outdoor spectacle — a welcome relief to guests and organisers alike.
Marking 60 years of the Carla Zampatti legacy, the show titled “Ubiquity” was a masterclass in timeless glamour. Across 60 looks, the collection moved seamlessly between sharp tailoring and sweeping gowns. There was an elegance to the pieces that felt innately Zampatti — yet there were also fresh touches that nodded to a modern sensibility. Ruffles, polka dots, pussy bows, and peplum details brought a playful sense of drama, while a palette of monochromatic black and white was lifted by flashes of muted yellow, siren red, and warm bronze.
A standout moment was the collaboration with 14 of Australia’s leading designers, including Pip Edwards, Christopher Esber, Romance Was Born, and Akira Isogawa, who each created a one-off piece that reinterpreted Zampatti’s legacy through their own lens. These collaborative designs will be donated to the Powerhouse Museum, adding a layer of cultural permanence to the celebration.
While the runway itself was a showstopper, the front row offered its own fashion moments. Guests arrived resplendent in vintage Zampatti, a stylish nod to the brand’s enduring influence, alongside bold, expressive looks that reminded us why street style during Fashion Week is just as compelling as the collections themselves.
This was also the first Australian Fashion Week presented under the leadership of the Australian Fashion Council. While many attendees may have arrived unsure of what to expect, the opening night offered a reassuring signal: the spirit of Fashion Week was in very capable hands.
Day One Highlights
Day Two
The Frontier
A curated group of designers from both sides of the Tasman came together for a joint presentation titled ‘The Frontier’. On paper, a line-up this diverse — featuring Courtney Zheng, Amy Lawrence, Paris Georgia, Matin, Wynn Hamlyn, Esse, and Common Hours — might seem disjointed. In reality, it worked.
Models navigated a linen-covered runway that was strewn across the area. The flooring did seem to provide a minor obstacle, and while there were a few stumbles – thankfully no falls! From the designers we saw fringing, buckles, sheers, and structure. Courtney Zheng impressed with her louche box pleats, while Amy Lawrence’s cream-toned dresses, intricate pleating, and signature caps carried a sense of elegance.
Of course, as a Kiwi in the crowd, the signatures of Paris Georgia and Wynn Hamlyn immediately stood out. Paris Georgia’s sculptural lines (and signature heels) were unmistakable, while Wynn Hamlyn delivered one of the morning’s highlights: a woven, almost deconstructed technique.
One critique? For anyone unfamiliar with the brands, it wasn’t always easy to know who was showing what. Still, ‘The Frontier’ gave space to designers to share the spotlight, without losing their individual impact.
Nagnata x Saben
A short film featuring model Jessica Gomes opened the Nagnata show, setting the tone for a collection grounded in mindfulness. The film introduced the brand’s new RTE denim line — made from 100% organic cotton — which became the foundation of the entire runway presentation. As expected, Nagnata’s signature fusion of fashion and activewear was on full display. Muted reds, caramel browns, black and earthy stripes ran through one-pieces, and athleisure staples, elevated by custom-knit textures and natural fibres. The denim and knitwear blended effortlessly into the brand’s athleisure DNA, reinforcing a commitment to conscious luxury.
But what truly caught our eye? The accessories. Models strode confidently with key pieces from Saben’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection. With sustainability embedded in both brands’ DNA, the collaboration felt like the perfect fit.
“As we continue to grow and evolve, it’s partnerships like this that allow us to connect with new audiences in a way that feels aligned with who we are,” says Roanne Jacobson, founder and designer of Saben. “We design for women who move with purpose, and this moment at Fashion Week reflects exactly that — style in motion, with meaning.”
Together, Nagnata and Saben proved that fashion-forward can be thoughtful and functional.
Beare Park
There was an undeniable shift in mood as the Beare Park show began — slower, sultrier, and more cinematic than the typical Fashion Week fare. Models moved deliberately down the runway, the usual upbeat soundtrack replaced by the rich tones of what sounded like Louis Armstrong, casting a sense of occasion over every look. Somehow that soundtrack is still etched in my mind.
Known for its precise tailoring and sophisticated sensuality, Beare Park leaned into its signatures with new intensity. On the catwalk we saw a bold chartreuse colourway appear,as well as rich burgundy’s blacks, chocolate browns and muted mint. There were sheer offerings, of course, and Beare Park’s signature silhouette which trails from the back. Styling details made the collection feel intentionally thought-out: black socks paired with brown heels, and hair pulled into dishevelled ponytails of the lowest variety.
On the skin we saw next to nothing. Models skipped foundation in favour of Emma Lewisham’s newest formulation—Sunceutical SPF 50 Mineral Glow Serum—an intelligent, bronze-tinted serum that provides an immediate illuminating base which comes out later this month. Lead makeup director Isabella Schimid she focused on skin and that natural, healthy glow. “I did a brown smudge contour around the eyes and a plum stained lip, and only lightly concealed areas of the face that needed it. There was no other base besides Emma Lewisham skincare,” she says.
Of the partnership, Lewishman, who sat front row at the show in a charcoal Beare Park suit said it was a natural alignment. “Both our brands share an unwavering dedication to excellence, craftsmanship, and quality. The partnership is not only a reflection of aligned values, but also of the genuine relationship Gabriella [Beare Park’s Creative Director] and I have built through mutual admiration and a shared vision for purposeful beauty and fashion,” says Lewisham – Co-Founder and Creative Director Emma Lewisham.
But back to the fashion — the closing look, a white, wedding-esque gown delivered a high-fashion bride moment that nodded to Chanel’s end-of-show bride tradition, but still felt distinctly Beare Park.
Day one imagery: Launchmetrics/Spotlight.
Day two imagery: Launchmetrics/Spotlight and Katie Begbie.
