These are all of the designers to watch ahead of AFW 2025

Australian Fashion Week is almost upon us, and at RUSSH, we are gearing up for a full-throttle week ahead. The Australian Fashion Council and Destination NSW have joined forces to bring us the 2025 iteration of the iconic fashion event, with Shark Beauty on board as this year’s official presenting partner. As always, a considered crop of Australia’s best designers will be showing their collections, with the schedule spanning newcomers and seasoned names alike. Whether you’ve secured a ticket to the runways, or are watching on from home, we’re rounding up the designers to watch ahead of Australian Fashion Week 2025.

Albus Lumen

Albus Lumen is bold simplicity personified. Designer Marina Afonina it is not weighted down by trends, but grounded in the core elements, paying credence to detailed minimalism. Craftsmanship and quality are intrinsic parts of the brand ethos.

Karla Spetic

Following an ethereal display of muted pastels last year, we look forward to seeing what the eponymous label will be turning out for this year’s showcase.  We’re expecting more delicate drapery, diaphanous, slip garments and anything sherbet-hued.

Carla Zampatti

This year’s coveted opening slot has been afforded to Carla Zampatti. The brand is both steeped in heritage and always with a finger on the pulse of what’s new. With a masterful hand at event-wear, we’re looking to catch some of the signature crepe silhouettes, and bold colourways, at AFW.

Romance Was Born

A name true to its clothing. We are looking forward to witnessing Romance Was Born once again do what it does best. The contemporary Australian fashion house with a unique storytelling vision helmed by Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales will undoubtedly be full of dreamlike glamour for their return.

Lee Mathews

This year marks a return to Australian Fashion Week for Lee Mathews, with the brand staging their last show on the official schedule back in 2019. We’ll be welcoming their modern, trend-defying silhouettes with open arms, and look forward to seeing how lee fuses function and beauty, elegance and simplicity, with ease.

Nagnata

Sustainability, inclusivity, and movement are at the forefront of everything Nagnata does, and it’s this ethos we expect to see on the runway at Australian Fashion Week. With a penchant for subverting expectations — both in form and function — 2025 has us looking forward to a chic and thoughtful show.

Iordanes Spyridon Gogos

Jordan Gogos’ brand is the height of sleekness and new-age daring. A multi-disciplinary artist by trade, and with a commitment to sustainable, local, and vegan design, and an aversion to following the crowd, we cannot wait for their latest collection to make its debut at AFW.

Mariam Seddiq

This year, Mariam Seddiq returns to the Australian Fashion Week schedule, celebrating 10 years of their Sydney-based Pret-A-Couture designs. Unapologetically feminine, fiercely maximalist, and always at the forefront of what’s new, we’re waiting with baited breath for what will be an unforgettable anniversary show.

Liandra

In 2024, Liandra’s AFW presentation was joy personified. Models exuded confidence as they took to the runway in bold sunset hues and hand-drawn prints, with pieces that paid tribute to designer Liandra Gaykamangu’s culture. Its this merging of perspective, history, and natural beauty that we can’t wait to see more of in 2025.

Farage

Founded in 1998, Farage is known for its modern take on classic tailoring, blending chic minimalism with easy sophistication. Inspired by global culture, design, and architecture, the brand merges seasonal trends with timeless craftsmanship. Still family-owned, Farage continues to be led by its Australian founders, Joe and Katy Farage, and will make their debut at AFW this year.