The Australian Fashion Council (AFC), the official organiser of Australian Fashion Week (AFW), has announced that Shark Beauty will return as presenting partner for Australian Fashion Week 2026, alongside the unveiling of this year’s designer lineup and program.

AFW will take place from 11–15 May 2026 with the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) as its central hub, alongside activations across Sydney. The full schedule is now available at australianfashionweek.org.

AFC Executive Chair Marianne Perkovic said: “We are excited to welcome Shark Beauty back as presenting partner for Australian Fashion Week 2026, building on the momentum of our inaugural partnership and further strengthening the natural connection between fashion and beauty.

“This year, we saw an extraordinary level of interest from designers, reflecting the strength and momentum of Australian fashion. The selection process was highly competitive, and I would like to acknowledge Kellie Hush, AFW Fashion Director, and the Selection Panel for the rigour and care they brought to shaping this program.

"We thank them for delivering a compelling and considered schedule — one that showcases both the depth of established talent and the next generation of designers driving the industry forward.”

Designer runway shows and presentations include Aje, Alix Higgins, Bianca Spender, Carla Zampatti, Christian Kimber, COMMAS, Common Hours, Courtney Zheng, Farage, Gary Bigeni, Hansen & Gretel, Iordanes Spyridon Gogos, L’IDÉE, Mariam Seddiq, Nagnata, Ngali, Nicol & Ford, Toni Maticevski, and more to be announced.

New Gen, presented by DHL — AFW’s emerging designer showcase — will feature designers Alberta Bucciarelli, EDITION Alice Van Meurs x Sarrita King, Gloria Chol and KingKing Creative.

In partnership with Create NSW, AFW will spotlight the work of Australian fashion’s cult favourites and rising creative forces via a dedicated group runway show, The Frontier, featuring Haluminous, madre natura, Ouse, Paris Jade Burrows and Suzaan Stander, and two dedicated First Nations runway shows by designers Buluuy Mirrii and van Ermel Scherer.

As an industry-led event, delivered in close consultation with Australia’s fashion and textile sector, AFW is designed to drive demand and deliver meaningful commercial outcomes for the local industry. As the first international fashion week to present resort collections, it holds a distinct and influential position on the global calendar — a key moment that spotlights Australian design on the world stage.

The 2026 program will continue to champion the country’s most compelling creative talent, while embracing tech-driven innovation through live streaming and digital experiences that expand global reach. With an industry-first foundation and a fashion-inclusive approach, AFW balances commercial impact with cultural relevance, engaging both international buyers and a new generation of fashion audiences.

AFW Fashion Director Kellie Hush said: “Australian Fashion Week is a cultural force – showcasing the creativity and global ambition of our designers. This year marks a sharper, more dynamic evolution of the event, where culture, creativity and commerce converge to position Australian fashion firmly in the global spotlight.”

SharkNinja Managing Director ANZ Aby Shukla said: “We’re proud to return as Presenting Partner of Australian Fashion Week, continuing our support of the designers shaping the future of Australian fashion. At Shark Beauty, innovation and self-expression are at the heart of everything we do, and we’re excited to champion local talent that shares this vision, bringing fashion and individuality to life on the runway.”

For consumers who want to participate in Fashion Week, AFW will feature a dedicated lineup of ticketed events, offering fashion fans the chance to experience AFW’s program of runway shows. Tickets will be available soon at australianfashionweek.org.

AFW’s premier thought leadership series returns in 2026 with a larger program in partnership with Afterpay. Through a mix of talks, workshops and activations, the program creates structured opportunities for designers, founders and members of the industry eco-system to engage directly with the ideas, tools and relationships most relevant to building globally competitive fashion businesses across the AFC’s four impact areas: Commerce & Trade, Jobs & Skills, Local Manufacturing and Sustainability.

AFW is supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW.

Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said: “The NSW Government is proud to once again be partnering with the Australian Fashion Council on Australian Fashion Week, which each year showcases Sydney as the nation’s fashion capital and a world-leading destination for creativity and cultural experiences.

“It’s particularly exciting that the program for Fashion Week 2026 will unfold against the backdrop of Sydney Harbour at its new home in the MCA, providing the perfect canvas for Australia’s best designers to showcase their work to the world.

“Not only does Fashion Week provide our designers with an invaluable gateway to new markets but it also underscores the important role of the retail sector to the NSW visitor economy, positioning Sydney as a global destination for high-end fashion retail on top of everything else we do so spectacularly in this city and this state.” 

In addition to Destination NSW and Shark Beauty, AFW is made possible through the support of partners Create NSW, City of Sydney, Afterpay, DHL, St Ali and NIVEA.

Pictured main: Kellie Hush, Karen Jones and Marianne Perkovic.