We're here once again – the biggest week in Australian fashion: Australian Fashion Week 2025. Once again, AFW is taking over the halls of Carriageworks, and once again, the RUSSH team is out in full force, ready to keep you updated on all the most important shows, looks and moments from the runways and in between.
Of course, we'll be sending field notes from the week's shows and presentations – and in the midst of it all, there will be plenty to pique our interest this week between show highlights and, of course, daily street style.
For all the Australian Fashion Week 2025 highlights, read on...
Day Five
11am: Liandra
Liandra Gaykamangu’s 2025 presentation brought life to the morning of Day Five; a vibrant celebration of Country, culture, and connection, translating Yolŋu philosophy into wearable art through fluid silhouettes, joyful prints, and reverent storytelling. Set to a powerful soundscape by Rona Ngamperle, the Coral of Life collection channelled a reef’s living ecosystem – interconnected, evolving, and alive with rhythm.
Thread Together
Thread Together showcased its mission to redistribute brand-new excess stock from major Australian retailers like David Jones, Oroton, and The Iconic to people doing it tough, offering practical support with dignity. With a pop-up activation in the centre of Carraigeworks, the initiative serves as a vital bridge between the fashion industry’s surplus and the communities most in need, transforming unused garments into tools for empowerment.
6pm: Romance Was Born
There was no more show-stopping a collection than Romance Was Born's closing show on Friday night. A set design of full-sized, leaf-stripped trees and snow mounds was traced by models in otherworldly garments in silks, sequins and lace. Meshing butterfly motifs with oversized pussy bows, beaded headpieces and cartoon embellishments, it was a spectacle for sore eyes. Especially as it began to snow upon the set, and designers Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales emerged, teary-eyed to thank the audience for 20 years of support.
Day Four
11am: Hansen & Gretel
The morning kicked into gear with Hansen & Gretel's 'AURA' show – a 90s surf-inspired collection that channeled the effortless insouciance of beachgoers with tropical prints and beaded waist belts, open-toe sandals and plenty of surf-worthy cover ups. A palette of earthy greens and blues gave way to psychadelic stripes and classic black sets, and accessories were kept pared back. Just some simple layered necklaces and the occasional purse.
2pm: Iordanes Spyridon Gogos
Jordan Gogos' latest for eponymous label Iordanes Spyridon Gogos was ablaze with colour, texture and pattern – taking inspiration from Greek tapestry in an art-meets-fashion explosion. Between corsetry and oversized tailoring, there was still plenty of room for Gogos' signature camp eye – with a dress made entirely from chain-mailed polaroids, and ties that floated on invisible shirts.
3pm: Gary Bigeni
Gary Bigeni's show was nothing short of euphoric. Upon a confetti-strewn runway, models in Bigeni's signature bold prints and metallics walked to the beat of an eclectic soundtrack – including, notably, Cobrah's Feminine Energy. Highlights included Ugg Express ballet flats, slides and heels on feet, and a glittering sky blue material that made its way into tops, skirts and gowns, and handbags, which were held in tandem with each other, the perfect summery more-is-more philosophy.
7pm: Mariam Seddiq
Celebrating ten years of bold design, Mariam Seddiq’s anniversary runway in the evening retraced her journey through reimagined looks from each year of her career – honouring her sculptural roots while introducing a refined, modern edge. Melding her signature architectural tailoring with flowing silks and handcrafted detail, Seddiq’s latest collection bridged her Afghan heritage and global ambitions, across a palette of sky blues, wine reds and deep ebonies.
7pm: Albus Lumen
Albus Lumen’s AMOR show traced the contours of intimacy and influence, with designer Marina Afonina inviting close friends and family – her mother among them – to embody a decade of the transformation. Drawing from the restrained glamour of La Dolce Vita and the precision of Capote’s prose, the collection moved with clarity and warmth, full of speckled sequin embellishments, refined polka dots, feathered halos and slouchy crochet garments. Footwear alternated between soft socks and fluffy, open-toed Ugg Express slides, and jewellery was bold and aglitter.
8:30pm: Nicol & Ford
One of the week's highlights was Nicol & Ford's latest collection, shown at Newtown's historic music venue The Vanguard. An exciteable crowd were treated couture looks that ranged from skin-like dresses to netted bustles. And of course, we couldn't keep our eyes off of the sublime 30s style sheer gowns, paired with butterfly motifs and gloved-bags.
Day Three
9am: Aje
Aje's Resort 26 'Impression' colelction kick-started Day Three of AFW at the Pier Pavilion in Barangaroo. Overlooking the water, tactile textures like braided leather, raw crochet, and hammered hardware were the focal point of the season. The palette was made up of painterly washes of pastels and pearlescent whites, but with bursts of magenta, sunshine yellow, and vibrant red.
11am: Alix Higgins
AFW's golden boy Alix Higgins gave his Resort 26 presentation in the morning, entitled The Needle. Traversing a bespoke carpeted runway emblazoned with his signature typed slogans, the show had plenty of Higgins' trademarks (polos, stretched text), but also lots of newness in the form of painted garments, textile patterns and collaborations with both EVERAU and Pandora.
12pm: Ngali
Ngali returned to Australian Fashion Week this afternoon with The Yawa: Journey Collection, a showcase of wearable art grounded in First Nations storytelling, artistic collaboration and connection to Country. Led by founder Denni Francisco, the collection featured fluid silhouettes, expressive prints, and a rich palette inspired by the land, sky and waterways, honouring the guidance of Bunjil and the enduring strength of Indigenous culture.
1:30pm: Bianca Spender
Under the cavernous white ceiling of St. Barnabas’ Anglican Church in Broadway, Bianca Spender's SS25 was aptly themed around the concept of catharsis. Fluid draped garments, irridescent chiffon and the introduction of swimwear were among the show's higlights, set against a moody, orchestral soundtrack.
4pm: Karla Špetić’
Karla Špetić’s AERIS show was a breath made visible – an immersive, spiritual runway experience that floated between softness and strength, with plenty of sheer layering, cut-out suiting and graphic tees. From Rory Warnock’s breathwork opening to the celestial tailoring and glowing skin, the presentation was a welcome transcendence.
8:30pm: Macgraw
Part-film presentation and part-house party, Macgraw finished AFW's Wednesday schedule with an evening to remember. Hosted at their Paddington boutique, sisters Tessa and Beth Macgraw showcased their new Bloodstream collection as a projection. Originally filmed in a historic cemetery, the location spoke to the collection's theme, which explored the link between nature and the human spirit. Speaking to the designers on the night, Beth tells RUSSH: "We wanted to do bridal pieces – that's a pretty big thing for us. But, our brides don't only wear white or only wear a dress. It's quite inspiring to me what brides wear." More typical bridal silhouettes were punctuated with haunting cloaks, pussy bows and unexpected embellishments. As Tessa told RUSSH with a laugh: "We're sort of in our Goth era I guess – just a little bit!"
Day Two
10am: The Frontier
Photography by Olivia Repaci
Amy Lawrance, Courtney Zheng, Common Hours, Esse, Matin, Paris Georgia and Wynn Hamlyn (partnering with haircare brand O&M) showcased their latest in a combined presentation called 'The Frontier' this morning. Models trampled across a linen-strewn floor to a pulsating beat – a surprisingly cohesive suite of looks given the diversity of designers on display. Fringing, buckling and sheer garments were at the fore, with some braided knitwear from Hamlyn and louche box pleats from Zheng.
11am: Lee Mathews
One of the schedule's biggest and most anticipated names was that of Lee Mathews – a designer celebrating their 25th anniversary this year. Revisiting archival silhouettes for the occasion, masculine tailoring was offset by sheer slips and ballet-inspired hues, with RATIONALE taking the lead on the show's natural, dewy, and sun-kissed skin. The FROW was also packed with icons – from foodies like Nigella Lawson and Maggie Beer, to actress Miranda Otto and Isabel Lucas.
2pm: Joseph & James
Melbourne-based label Joseph & James made a striking debut in the afternoon, presenting a refined menswear collection that blended relaxed tailoring with elevated streetwear elements. Designer Juanita Page, a proud Gooreng Gooreng and South Sea Islander woman, infused the collection with personal heritage, drawing inspiration from family gatherings to create garments that celebrate connection, culture, and a more expressive vision of masculinity.
3pm: Nagnata
Tuesday afternoon saw Nagnata take over the runway with their latest collection 'RETURN TO EARTH'. Following a short film projection starring Jess Gomes (that seemingly introducing denim to the brand's offerings), the runway itself was a reflection on terrains, where the brand's usual high-performance knitwear was paired with leather handbags from New Zealand-based SABEN, and garments created in collaboration with artist Felix Jerome Grech.
6pm: Beare Park
Beare Park was one of the evening's highlights, showcasing designer Gabriella Pereira's eye for modern tailoring across more traditional suiting and feminine, silk garments. Pops of chartreuse and burgundy accentuated a relatively pared-back palette of neutrals, and accessories were kept minimal but dazzling via Chopard.
Day one
6pm: Carla Zampatti
Carla Zampatti photos courtesy GoRunway .
The official schedule kicked off with Carla Zampatti's 60th Anniversary Runway collection, “Ubiquity.” Set against the iconic backdrop of Sydney Harbour, which twinkled under the Autumn evening sky, it was a collection steeped in six decades of history. Carla Zampatti's timeless elegance felt like a grounding force for the 60 looks (a fitting number for such a monumental occasion) that made their way out onto the Circular Quay runway, but their was a youthful edge to the designs — a look forward to the brand's next chapter.
