Australian fashion is headed to a striking new setting in 2026, with the Australian Fashion Council announcing that Australian Fashion Week will this year be anchored at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.
The move signals a bold new evolution for the country’s premier fashion event – one that will now place creativity, culture and commerce squarely at the heart of Sydney Harbour.
Why is it leaving Carriageworks?
While there hasn’t been an explicit reason given for departing Carriageworks, you get the sense this is less about leaving something behind and more about stepping into something bigger.
Carriageworks has long been synonymous with Australian Fashion Week – its industrial bones and cavernous spaces helped define the event’s cool, directional edge. But anchoring the week at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia feels like a strategic shift: closer to the harbour, closer to the city’s cultural pulse, and perhaps closer to the international gaze.
It suggests a desire to reframe the event not just as a trade fixture, but as a broader cultural moment – one that invites the public in and more literally places Australian fashion on one of the world’s most recognisable backdrops.
When is Australian Fashion Week 2026?
It's set to run from 11–15 May 2026.
How will it work at MCA?
According to the official press release from the Australian Fashion Council, this year's Australian Fashion Week will unfold as a city-wide celebration, with the MCA serving as its central hub.
The waterfront institution will house a purpose-built runway and presentation space, alongside industry talks, cultural programming, media and buyer facilities, and curated brand activations. It’s a deliberate merging of fashion and contemporary art – two creative forces that have long inspired one another.
For AFC Executive Chair Marianne Perkovic, the venue shift marks a defining moment. Positioning Fashion Week within the MCA reflects not only the global outlook of Australian designers, but also a more open and internationally compelling format. It’s a clear statement that AFW 2026 is more than a series of runway shows; it’s designed as a national industry platform and a cultural moment for the city.
Who is on the program for AFW 2026?
The 2026 program promises a dynamic mix of established names, emerging voices and First Nations designers, complemented by a dedicated graduate runway spotlighting the next generation of talent. Beyond the catwalk, attendees can expect designer talks, immersive experiences and special events aimed at strengthening both the creative and commercial fabric of the industry.
