Fashion Shockwave: Why Aussie Fashion Week's Star-Studded Catwalk Faces an Uncertain Future!

Hold onto your hats, fashionistas, because the glitzy catwalk that launched the careers of Zimmermann, Romance Was Born, and more is now in limbo! IMG, the powerhouse owner behind the illustrious Australian Fashion Week, just announced they’re waving goodbye after nearly two decades. Talk about a plot twist!

"The event has played a pivotal role in pushing the industry forward," boasts Natalie Xenita, managing director, IMG Fashion Events Asia Pacific. IMG’s time steering the ship has seen waves of innovative changes, from spotlighting resort collections to removing fees for designers during the pandemic, and even hosting the groundbreaking Indigenous designer shows.

But wait, there's more! Whispers in the front rows have been growing louder — is our beloved Aussie fashion showcase up for grabs? The suspense is thicker than a haute couture gown. For now, the saga will have its next chapter at the spectacular Laureate Awards at the Sydney Opera House.

Designer Jordan Gogos knows the fashion highs and lows all too well, saying, "During Australian Fashion Week, I'm a celebrity and on the day it ends, I'm a normal person." He credits the media buzz as a springboard for his career, proving that in the fashion world, a little spotlight goes a long way.

Critics have griped about runway action losing steam to street style showdowns outside the venue, and let's not forget the missing star power of yesteryear. Original founder Simon Lock, who sold the event to IMG, laments this turn of events, blaming a focus shift to domestic retail and social media at the expense of the international market.

Is this the end of a fashion era or just a dramatic pause before the next act? The future is uncertain, but one thing’s for sure — the world of fashion is never dull! Eager for more? Check out the Live Well newsletter for a dose of health and lifestyle tips delivered to your inbox every Monday. Stay fabulous!