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
Bellroy
Decjuba
Kowtow Australia
Natv Basic
Salvos Stores Australia
The Iconic
The Sussan Group
Team of the Year
Akubra Hats
Bonds
Witchery
Hansen & Gretel
Honey Birdette
Lowes
Sheike
Design Excellence Award
Akubra Hats
Camilla
Hommey
Honey Birdette
Peter Alexander
Rip Curl
Sheike
The Gamechanger Award
Akubra Hats
Carla Zampatti Fashion
City Chic
David Jones
Nehma Vitols
Peter Alexander
Sheike
Best Use of Technology
APG & Co
Aur Oceà
Carla Zampatti
PVH Corp ANZ
Sheike
Silver Fleece
Best Store Design
Saba
Bond-Eye Swim
By Charlotte
Country Road
David Jones
Kathmandu
P Johnson
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 The Label
Parq Sport
Van Brussel
Industry Collaboration Award
Akubra Hats x DotCollective
Camilla x The Metropolitan Museum of Art
UTS x TAFE NSW x The Volte x Seamless x Dissh
Cotton Australia
Leo Lin x Laura Good
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