SYDNEY (20 December 2021) – IMG, the official organiser and operator of Afterpay Australian Fashion Week (AAFW), today announced a series of runway shows and programming with First Nations Fashion and Design (FNFD) showcasing Indigenous Australian fashion talent at AAFW. Fashion Week will take place 9-13 May 2022 at Carriageworks, Sydney and virtually at australianfashionweek.com.
"IMG remains committed to delivering opportunities that place First Nations fashion designers and creatives at the forefront of the Australian fashion industry," stated Natalie Xenita, Vice President-Managing Director of IMG's fashion events and properties, Asia-Pacific. "We're building on our efforts from the debut of the First Nations Fashion and Design showcase last season to create something bigger and farther reaching in new and thoughtful ways: to showcase the history and future of First Nations peoples' creativity and sovereignty through AAFW."
First Nations Fashion and Design (FNFD), the not-for-profit Indigenous Corporation whose core business is in supporting the growth of Indigenous Australian fashion, will open and close AAFW with two key events: a 'Welcome to Country' on Monday 9 May at 8am to officially open Fashion Week, and the Closing Show and party on Friday 13 May from 7pm. Presented by Afterpay, the runway show will be produced, styled, modelled and staffed backstage by an all Indigenous cast and crew. In a Fashion Week first, a party will be held on the runway directly following the FNFD show to bring AAFW 2022 to its official close.
For fashion fans seeking an immersive way to take part in AAFW, tickets will be available to each runway show via AAFW: The Experience, AAFW's integrated consumer offering. Tickets are strictly limited and will be available in January 2022 at australianfashionweek.com. Consumers can sign up now to receive first access to tickets and other exclusive experiences.
Dedicated programming curated by and featuring First Nations designers and creatives will also feature as part of AAFW's cultural program of talks and conversations. Further runway shows and programming featuring Indigenous Australian designers is yet to be announced.
AAFW is an IMG event supported by the NSW Government through Destination New South Wales.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney, Stuart Ayres, said: "This spectacular event showcases the talents of our designers to the world against the backdrop of our beautiful global city that fosters cutting-edge ideas and innovation. Afterpay Australian Fashion Week supports our creative industries that have been hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic by driving job growth and increasing wholesale and export opportunities for Australian designers. The Government's support for this event aligns with our NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 and the goal to position Sydney as the events capital of the Asia Pacific."
In addition to Afterpay and Destination NSW, AAFW is made possible through the support of sponsors City of Sydney, DHL, Disaronno, GlamCorner, Glenfiddich Whisky, Hendrick's Gin, Porsche, Redken, San Pellegrino, Shopify and SKYE Suites.
Followers can get a front row seat to all the AAFW action by streaming on australianfashionweek.com and following
