Afterpay Australian Fashion Week is almost upon us, and at RUSSH, we are gearing up for a busy month ahead. Since MBFWA was put on a necessary hiatus due to COVID-19 in 2020, the fashion week has a new sponsor, Afterpay, and we couldn't be more looking forward to putting our scooting boots on again for a week of shows. A considered crop of Australia's best will be showing, including newcomer's first shows and seasoned House name's annual returns to the schedule. Below, we're rounding up the Australian designers to watch ahead of AAFW.

Aje

Conceived in 2008 and helmed by Adrian Norris and Edwina Forest, Aje is a contemporary Australian fashion brand championing romance and raw beauty. After opening MBFWA in 2019, Aje is back on the schedule this year for an 'In Conversation' panel with the designers.

 

Christopher Esber

Australia's golden child and leading designer, Christopher Esber of his eponymous brand, will be returning to the schedule this year, marking 11 years of creation. Often the show Du Jour of the entire week, to say we're anticipating his powerful show would be an understatement.

 

St Agni

Quiet confidence radiating from St Agni's base of Byron Bay, the brand only launched ready to wear in the last 18 months. This will be their first Australian Fashion Week show, and we're looking forward to sharing the experience with the brand.

 

COMMAS

Hailing from here in Sydney, Richard Jarman's COMMAS is a swim & resort wear label that encourages thoughtfulness in its processes and in the wearer. while COMMAS did show at Melbourne Fashion Festival earlier in the year, this will be its first official show on the Afterpay Australian Fashion Week schedule.

 

Albus Lumen

A brand that can always be relied upon for transportation, Albus Lumen's thoughtful and relaxed ready to wear collection will return to the schedule this year, or will it? In 2019, founder Marina Afonina launched a homewares collection for an intimate crowd in the middle of the week. Safe to say we can expect something dreamlike and unexpected from the coveted brand.

 

Jordan Dalah

Jordan Dalah of his eponymous brand has secured the opening show spot on this years schedule. The Australian designer has been on the rise since his graduation from Central Saint Martins, and he doesn't appear to be slowing down. This will be his first debut on Australia's show circuit.

 

Bassike

A heralded Australian favourite. Bassike is returning again after a small hiatus over the years. We can expect to see precise tailoring, considered knitwear, and that irresistible jersey we know all too well. It will be a treat to have Bassike officially back.

 

Romance Was Born

A name true to its clothing. We are looking forward to witnessing Romance Was Born once again do what it does best. The contemporary Australian fashion house with a unique storytelling vision helmed by Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales will undoubtedly be full of dreamlike glamour for their return.

 

Bondi Born

Modern Australian resort wear that is endlessly chic. This will be Bondi Born's second official show on the schedule, and we are anticipating it will be as whimsical and evocative of those who have come before.

 

Anna Quan

Renowned for its pristine tailoring and crisp shirting, Anna Quan's shows are often understated and restrained, similarly to the brand itself. The pared-back nature of the brand has us looking forward to a chic and thoughtful show.

 

Oroton

Under new creative direction, this isn't heritage brand Oroton's first show on the official schedule, but it is with it's new vision. Think, mossy, forest-inspired sets with classic staples designed to elevate and lend to ones wardrobe, we are looking forward to exploring more of Oroton's ready-to-wear collections.

 

Auteur 

Newcomer Auteur is helmed by model and creative Lucinda Taffs and was launched in late 2019. This will be the brand's first-ever show, and with its slinky summer-inspired ready-to-wear designs, will appeal nicely to Australian consumers.

 

Maggie Marilyn

Whimsical New Zealand brand and sustainable pioneer Maggie Marilyn has been one to watch for some years, and as time passes, the brand keeps going from strength to strength. We're looking forward to the romance it is likely to bring at the end of the month.

Rebecca Vallance

Since her first showing at New York Fashion Week in February 2014, Rebecca Vallance's Eponymous label has proven to be one of Australia’s leading fashion exports. Now, the brand will return to the schedule on home soil, and we look forward to previewing the upcoming collection.