The finalists for Ragtrader's Australian Fashion Industry Awards 2026 have been revealed.
This year's awards recognise the ideas, operators and businesses redefining Australia's $28 billion fashion sector — where creativity meets commercial discipline and innovation is translating directly into growth.
Winners will be announced at the Australian Fashion Awards Lunch at The Promenade Docklands, Melbourne in August. Book your tickets here.
"In developing the awards programme, we wanted to recognise the unique capabilities of the Australian fashion industry. Fashion stands apart from retail as a sector where creativity meets commerce, fuelling economic growth while driving innovation through creative ideas and design," said Ragtrader publisher Assia Benmedjdoub.
Open to consumer-facing brands, etailers and retailers across apparel, footwear and accessories, the program spans twelve categories built to reflect how modern fashion businesses operate.
These include Marketing Campaign of the Year, Sustainability Excellence Award, Team of the Year, Design Excellence Award, The Gamechanger Award, Best Use of Technology, Best Store Design, Emerging Brand Award, Industry Collaboration Award and the Positive Impact Award.
The AFIAs 2026 Headline Sponsor is The Retail Score, with Gold Sponsors Better Packaging and ReStore, Silver Sponsors Apparel21 and Williams Logistics and Bronze Sponsor Afterpay.
The finalists are:
Marketing Campaign of the Year
- Decjuba
- H&M
- Honey Birdette
- Peter Alexander
- Saba
- Sheike
- Witchery
Sustainability Excellence Award, sponsored by Better Packaging
- Bellroy
- Decjuba
- Kowtow Australia
- Natv Basics
- Salvos Stores Australia
- The Iconic
- The Sussan Group
Team of the Year, sponsored by ReStore for Retail
- Akubra Hats
- Bonds
- Hansen & Gretel
- Honey Birdette
- Lowes
- Sheike
- Witchery
Design Excellence Award
- Akubra Hats
- Camilla
- Hommey
- Honey Birdette
- Peter Alexander
- Rip Curl
- Sheike
The Gamechanger Award
- Akubra Hats
- Carla Zampatti
- City Chic
- David Jones
- Nehma Vitols
- Peter Alexander
- Sheike
Best Use of Technology
- APG & Co
- Aur Oceà
- Carla Zampatti
- PVH Brands Australia
- Sheike
- Silver Fleece
Best Store Design
- Bond-Eye Australia
- By Charlotte
- Country Road
- David Jones
- Kathmandu
- P Johnson
- Saba
Best Place to Work
- Akubra Hats
- Cotton On
- Honey Birdette
- Petal & Pup
- Philosophy Australia
Emerging Brand Award
- Anthem Workwear
- Aur Oceà
- Being Wear
- Hyde & Stone
- Maku
- Parq
- Van Brussel
Industry Collaboration Award
- Akubra Hats x DotCollective
- Camilla x The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Fashion + Textiles x The Volte x Seamless x Dissh
- Cotton Australia x The Woolmark Company
- Leo Lin x Capella Sydney
- Tommy Hilfiger ANZ x Cadillac F1
- Strand x Flight Centre
Positive Impact Award
- Akubra Hats
- Bonds
- Cotton On
- Decjuba
- Elk
- PVH Brands Australia
- The Social Outfit
Hall of Fame Award, sponsored by The Retail Score
The Hall of Fame inductee will be revealed at the awards lunch on August 6 in Melbourne.