Australian Fashion Chamber
United by the vision to strengthen, promote and develop Australian fashion design by nurturing talent, originality and success locally and internationally.
An introduction to the philosophy behind the Australian Fashion Chamber and the founders who made it all possible.
The Australian Fashion Chamber
The Australian Fashion Chamber is a representative body for Australian designers and the Australian fashion industry. After launching in July 2014, the growing member base of the AFC represent the brightest design talent within the industry. As the national body for Australian fashion designers, the AFC has the goal of seeing our country's most promising fashion talent build their business locally and internationally. Together with the support of the industry, and our board, who bring together a wealth of experience from education, business, governance, finance, law, media and design, the AFC will build not only a sustainable but stronger and brighter future for the Australian fashion industry.
AFC Board of Directors (2017) by Australian Fashion ChamberAustralian Fashion Council
AFC Board of Directors
Edwina McCann - AFC Chair & Editor-in-Chief, Vogue Australia.
Kellie Hush - AFC Deputy Chair & Editor, Harper's Bazaar Australia.
Alicia Kemp - AFC Executive Director & Fashion Category Executive, AMP Capital Shopping Centres.
Alison Veness - AFC Executive Director & Editor, 10 Magazine Australia.
Carla Zampatti AC - AFC Executive Director & Executive Chairman, Carla Zampatti Pty Ltd.
Glen Schlehuber - AFC Executive Director & Managing Director, Tiffany & Co. Oceania.
Justin Cudmore - AFC Executive Director & Partner, Marque Lawyers.
Karen Webster - AFC Executive Director & Head of Strategy and Development, Whitehouse Institute of Design
Malcolm Carfrae - AFC Executive Director & Principal, Carfrae Consulting.
Roy Green - AFC Executive Director & Dean of the UTS Business School, University of Technology Sydney.
Stuart McCullough - AFC Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer, The Woolmark Company.
Rebecca Vallance Resort 2017 (2016) by Rebecca VallanceAustralian Fashion Council
Australian Style
Australian fashion is characterised by its trans-seasonal and relaxed style.
AFC Memorandum of Understanding with the Australian Government (2015) by Australian Fashion ChamberAustralian Fashion Council
The Industry
The Australian Fashion Industry is a $12 billion Australian industry with over 220,000 jobs across design, manufacturing, wholesale, and retail. In 2015, the AFC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), securing significant support to boost the Australian Fashion industry economically and creatively.
Manning Cartell, Resort 2017
During MBFWA, Manning Cartell showed a stunning resort collection with the backdrop of the Sydney Opera House.
Romance Was Born, Resort 2017
Held at the historic Carthona estate on Sydney Harbour during MBFWA, Romance Was Born presented a visual feast with an ode to Liberace.
Macgraw, Resort 2017
Featuring smiling models and a hot pink runway, the macgraw sisters presented a lace-filled, sugary sweet collection during MBFWA.
Australian Fashion Overseas
Many Australian designers have found success showing their collections in international fashion weeks across Europe, Asia and the US. Take a look at the shows created by some of Australia's top fashion talent, such as Ellery in Paris, France, Dion Lee in New York, USA and Haryono Setiadi in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Models wearing Australian designs at Designers Abroad AW16 (2016) by FlaunterAustralian Fashion Council
Opening Night
Each season of the Designers Abroad Showroom commences with an opening night, which attracts key media, buyers and influencers from the international fashion industry.
Behind the Scenes
Get a behind the scenes look into the designers representing Australian fashion at the Designers Abroad Paris Showroom in 2016, by 10 Magazine Australia.
The AFC Vivid Anniversary 2016 (2016) by FlaunterAustralian Fashion Council
The Fashion
A model, styled by Mikey Ayoubi in macgraw, at the 2016 Vivid Celebration held on the 26th floor of the AMP Capital building overlooking Sydney Harbour.
The AFC Vivid Anniversary 2016 (2016) by FlaunterAustralian Fashion Council
The Key Industry Players
Designers from Camilla & Marc and Bianca Spender with AFC Chair and Vogue Australia Editor-in-Chief Edwina McCann and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop for the Vivid Celebration in 2016.
AFC Vivid Celebration 2016 by Flaunter (2016) by Australian Fashion Chamber and FlaunterAustralian Fashion Council
The Celebration
Take a glimpse into the glamour and fashion of the 2016 Vivid Celebration featuring stunning views of the Sydney Harbour lights.
200 Years of Australian Fashion
In 2016 the National Gallery of Victoria held a landmark exhibition on Australian fashion, '200 Years of Australian Fashion'. Curated by Paola Di Trocchio, over 120 works from more than ninety designers were presented as the first major survey of Australian fashion from historic designers to designers of today. Take a glimpse into the incredible collection.
Fashion Awards
The Australian Fashion Industry has a number of awards for recognition of established and emerging designers, such as the BT Emerging Fashion Designer Award, the Australian Fashion Foundation Scholarship, the VAMFF National Designer Award and the Australia/New Zealand Regional Woolmark Prize.
macgraw International Woolmark Prize collection 2016/2017 (2017) by macgrawAustralian Fashion Council
International Woolmark Prize
The International Woolmark Prize celebrates outstanding fashion talents from around the globe who showcase the beauty and versatility of Australian Merino wool. First held in 1953 as an initiative of the International Wool Secretariat, the award was won the following year by iconic fashion designers Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent. Today, the prize crosses borders and cultures to spotlight emerging fashion talent from hotspots in more than 60 countries before a who’s who of the international fashion industry.
Images courtesy of Flaunter, The Woolmark Company, The National Gallery of Victoria, Bianca Spender, Rebecca Vallance, Manning Cartell and KitX.
Videos courtesy of Flaunter, 10 Magazine, Dewi Magazine, BT Financial, FF Channel, and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.
Text by Australian Fashion Chamber and The Woolmark Company.
Created by Bradley Waters at Australian Fashion Chamber.
