The Australian Fashion Council (AFC), the official organiser of Australian Fashion Week (AFW) has unveiled this year’s designer line-up 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, Beare Park, Bianca Spender, Carla Zampatti, Christian Kimber, Commas, Courtney Zheng, ESSE, Farage, FDS: The Innovators, Gary Bigeni, Hansen & Gretel, HENNE, Jordan Gogos, Karla Spetic, L'IDEE, Mariam Seddiq, Nagnata, Nicol & Ford, and Toni Maticevski.
AFW will also present three dedicated runway shows by First Nations designers, including Buluuy Mirrii, Ngali, and Van Ermel Scherer.
In partnership with Create NSW, AFW will showcase XX fashion designers via a dedicated runway show, The Frontier, featuring EDITION x Sarrita KIng, Haluminous, Madre Natura, Ouse, Ruby Pedder, and Suzaan Stander.
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.”
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.
AFC The Talks, AFW’s premier thought leadership series curated by the AFC, returns in 2026, featuring industry pioneers, policymakers, and innovators discussing the future of Australian fashion.
eBay will unite fashion and technology by streaming AFW’s runway shows directly from the Tallawoladah Lawn, set against the iconic backdrop of the MCA and Sydney Harbour. This dynamic, open-air setting will invite audiences to experience AFW’s runway shows in real time.
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 presenting partner Shark Beauty, AFW is made possible through the support of partners Create NSW, City of Sydney, Afterpay, DHL and Nivea.
Pictured main: Kellie Hush, Karen Jones and Marianne Perkovic.
