Another remarkable, albeit challenging year in the realm of Australian fashion has been and gone. Despite the uncertainty of ongoing lockdowns, stagnation in production and the throws of navigating a global pandemic; Australian fashion and its key players continued to thrive. Yesterday, some of the industry's most prominent leaders gathered to celebrate exactly that – at the 2021 Australian Fashion Laureate Awards.
The Australian Fashion Laureate Awards have continuously recognised Australia’s exceptional talent; highlighting innovations and conversations shaping the Australian fashion industry and its future. This year was no exception, particularly with the addition of two new award categories in 2021; Indigenous Designer of the Year, to celebrate Australia’s First Nations designers, and the Carla Zampatti Award for Excellence in Leadership, to recognise leaders who have made outstanding contributions to advancing the position of women in the Australian fashion industry.
“The Australian Fashion Laureate provides an important platform to celebrate the success of Australia’s designers and fashion talent, while demonstrating that our industry’s creativity and connectivity can continue to flourish despite extraordinary challenges,” stated Natalie Xenita, vice president-managing director of IMG’s fashion events and properties, Asia-Pacific.
“In striving for change and innovation, today’s honourees have played a significant role in futureproofing our industry and reinforcing the cultural impact of fashion both within and beyond Australia.”
You can find the full list of winners from the 2021 Australian Fashion Laureate Awards, below.
Designer of the Year
Anna Plunket and Luke Sales, Romance Was Born – WINNER
Christopher Esber
Edwina Forest and Adrian Norris, Aje
Sophie Holt, Oroton
Emerging Designer of the Year
Jordan Dalah
Jordan Gogos
Julie Shaw, MAARA Collective
Richard Jarman, COMMAS – WINNER
Sustainable Innovation of the Year
Emma Jarman and Richard Jarman, COMMAS
James Bartle, Outland Denim
Kit Willow, KITX
Mary-Lou Ryan and Deborah Sams, bassike – WINNER
Indigenous Designer of the Year
Denni Francisco, Ngali
Grace Lillian Lee
Julie Shaw, MAARA Collective – WINNER
Lillardia Briggs-Houston, Ngarru Miim
The People’s Choice Award
Elizabeth Abegg and Isabella Pennefather, Spell – WINNER
Carla Zampatti Award for Excellence in Leadership
Grace Lillian Lee – WINNER
Australian Fashion Laureate Lifetime Achievement Award
Linda Jackson AO – WINNER
