Australian Fashion Week gets new state government backing to save event (#1686413)

Australian Fashion Week (AFW) will be held next year in Sydney, thanks to the Australian Fashion Council (AFC), which on Sunday said it had secured funding from the New South Wales government to host the main event fashionable in the country.

The AFC said the AFW will be held from May 12 to 16 at Carriageworks, with funding coming from the NSW government's tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

In a strategic move, AFW founder Simon Lock has been recruited to the team that will organize the 2025 event.

The funding comes a month after former operator IMG announced it would no longer support AFW, putting Australia's premier fashion week in jeopardy.
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“Thank you to the New South Wales Government and the entire fashion industry for their commitment and collaboration. “The AFC looks forward to delivering a world-class experience in 2025 and evolving the event in the future,” he said. AFC President Marianne Perkovic.

“Fashion Week 2025 will mark a crucial milestone on the path to a truly Australian fashion industry-led event. Our consultation has reinforced that the AFC is best positioned to lead this transformation, like its successful international counterparts. A further announcement regarding other appointments will be made soon.”

The AFC said it is working with Lock, who sold AFW to IMG in 2005, to assemble a team with extensive fashion week experience to guide the organization of the event, adding that further announcements regarding further appointments will be made soon.

“Fashion Week is not just an event; “It is a catalyst for growth, collaboration and innovation in Australian fashion,” added A.Jaana Quaintance-James, CEO of the FC.

“This support from the NSW Government is a testament to the trust placed in the AFC and our vision for an industry-led future. By joining Destination NSW and leveraging the expertise of our industry partners, we can take significant steps to make Fashion Week more impactful for designers and the wider creative economy.”

It's been a difficult year for Australian fashion, with several major brands and retailers announcing their closure. In September, Australian fashion favorite Dion Lee announced its closure after the luxury brand failed to attract a buyer, three months after entering voluntary administration, and major investor Cue withdrew its stake in the business.

More recently, Australian luxury multi-brand retailer Harrolds went into liquidation in October, owing more than A$16 million in liabilities.