Future of Australian Fashion Week up in the air as IMG exits event

The future of Australian Fashion Week and the associated showcasing of homegrown designers is in limbo after IMG announced it would exit the event.

IMG, the media company that has owned and operated the annual event since 2005, today confirmed the decision.

It will also pull support for the Australian Fashion Laureate, with its November 21 event in Sydney to be the company’s final fashion event in Australia.

IMG Fashion Events Asia Pacific vice president and managing director Natalie Xenita said she was “incredibly proud” of the company’s accomplishments leading Australian Fashion Week for the past 20 years.

“The event has played a key role in ushering the industry forward,” she said in a statement.

“We navigated a changing industry by introducing new initiatives including the strategic refocus on Resort collections, a consumer-integrated model that has been replicated globally, waiving participation fees to support designers since the pandemic, and hosting the first-ever Indigenous designer shows.”

As part of the shift, IMG will pivot its focus to its talent representation business.

IMG Models in Sydney will not be impacted by the change.

Just a few months ago, IMG announced the dates for the 2025 Australian Fashion Week, which was set to be held from May 12 to 16 in Sydney.

“For 30 years, Australian Fashion Week has been pivotal in cementing the reputation and reach of Australian fashion and continues to provide a platform that amplifies the voices of Australia’s most talented creatives to a global audience,” Xenita said in a statement in August.

Australian Fashion Week brings in more than 33,000 attendees each year and attracts buyers and recognition from all around the world to the nation’s fashion.

Now, next year’s event remains uncertain.

The Australian Fashion Council said it would lead the efforts to find a platform to showcase Australian fashion and design on the global stage.

“Turning to the future, we know we need a platform to profile and celebrate Australian fashion,” Australian Fashion Council chair Marianne Perkovic and chief executive Jaana Quaintance-James said in a joint statement.

“This moment signals an opportunity for the industry to reimagine and reshape how Australian fashion is represented, and provides us all with an opportunity to explore new ways in which to showcase emerging and established Australian talent.

“The AFC, as the peak body for fashion and textiles in Australia, will lead this conversation.

“We will work with members, government and other stakeholders to consider the future platform needed to position and elevate Australian fashion internationally.”