The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) in partnership with the NSW Government through Destination NSW today announced the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) as the central hub for AFC Australian Fashion Week (AFW) 2026, marking a bold new chapter for the country’s premier fashion event.

Taking place 11–15 May 2026, AFW will return as a city-wide platform anchored at the MCA and supported by satellite activations across Sydney designed to elevate Australian fashion globally while strengthening its cultural and commercial impact.

The MCA will host a purpose-built runway and presentation environment, industry talks and cultural programming, media and buyer facilities, and curated brand activations — positioning AFW at the intersection of fashion, art and contemporary culture.

AFC Executive Chair Marianne Perkovic said the move signals a defining evolution for Australian Fashion Week.

“Bringing Australian Fashion Week to the Museum of Contemporary Art marks an exciting new chapter for the event and for Australian fashion more broadly. The MCA provides an iconic Sydney backdrop that reflects the creativity, cultural relevance and global outlook of our designers, while enabling a more open, connected and internationally compelling format.”

“AFW 2026 is designed not just as a runway schedule, but as a national industry platform and a cultural moment for the city.”

MCA Director Suzanne Cotter said: "AFW 2026 will feature runway shows from established, emerging and First Nations designers, alongside dedicated graduate runways celebrating the next generation of Australian design talent from leading fashion institutions nationwide.

"Beyond the runways, AFC will host designer talks, experiences and other special events. Together, these elements strengthen AFW’s role as a national industry platform and a vibrant cultural event for all Australians.

AFW provides critical commercial opportunities to drive business growth for designers and brands and offers an invaluable platform for designers to showcase their collections to leading international media and buyers. 

A cornerstone of AFW 2026 will be a strengthened First Nations program delivered in partnership with acclaimed designer Grace Lillian Lee. The collaboration will embed First Nations designers, models and storytelling at the heart of Fashion Week and establish a platform to support long-term participation, cultural authority and global visibility."

AFC Executive Chair Marianne Perkovic said “Grace Lillian Lee’s work is culturally authoritative, globally recognised and deeply grounded in community and storytelling.

"Partnering with Grace ensures First Nations designers and perspectives are not simply included in Australian Fashion Week, but embedded at its centre helping shape the identity of the event and the future direction of our industry.”

Building on the success of the 2025 event, AFW 2026 will be delivered under the AFC’s dedicated subsidiary, AFC Fashion Events (AFC FE), established to provide a strengthened governance, leadership and delivery model that reflects the scale, ambition and national importance of Australia’s fashion industry.

AFW is overseen by an experienced Executive Board comprising Marianne Perkovic, Executive Chair of the Australian Fashion Council and AFC Fashion Events; Professor Robyn Healy, Associate Deputy Vice Chancellor, Learning, Teaching and Quality, DSC at RMIT University; Alex Schuman, CEO of Carla Zampatti; Renuka Kimber, Co-founder of Christian Kimber; Bridget Veals, Executive General Manager, Womenswear, Footwear and Accessories at David Jones; and Adrian Norris, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Aje.

In addition to the Board, the AFC is pleased to confirm the return of Kellie Hush as Fashion Director for AFW, overseeing designer and industry relations.

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

Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said: “As the nation’s fashion capital this is exactly the kind of bold, iconic experience we want to see in Sydney.

"There is no better example of our city’s unique combination natural wonder and cultural vibrancy than Fashion Week on the harbour, at one of our most recognisable cultural institutions.

"The NSW Government is proud to partner with the Australian Fashion Council to deliver Australian Fashion Week 2026 at the MCA and across the city, showcasing Sydney as a world-leading destination for fashion, creativity and cultural experiences.”

In addition to Destination NSW, AFW is made possible through the support of Partners Create NSW, City of Sydney, Afterpay, Canon, DHL, eBay, Hisense and Nivea.