IMG has announced the finalists for the 2021 Australian Fashion Laureate, celebrating the achievements of Australian fashion leaders and innovators.
This year, two new award categories – Indigenous Designer of the Year and the Carla Zampatti Award for Excellence in Leadership – join the existing categories of Designer of the Year, Emerging Designer of the Year, Sustainable Innovation and People’s Choice.
The Indigenous Design of the Year award celebrates Australia's First Nations designers and was created in close consultation with First Nations fashion leaders.
Meanwhile, the Carla Zampatti Award for Excellence in Leadership recognises leaders who have made outstanding contributions to advancing the position of women in the Australian fashion industry and debuts in tribute to the late fashion icon who passed away earlier this year.
IMG VP-MD of APAC fashion events and properties Natalie Xenita welcomed the announcement of the finalists.
"The Australian Fashion Laureate celebrates the ingenuity of Australian fashion’s top designers and creators.
"This year’s nominees reflect the creative excellence and diverse voices shaping our industry and its future," she said.
Australian Fashion Laureate recipients are chosen by Australian Fashion Industry Alumni, a panel of industry leaders, including media, buyers, communications professionals, creatives and designers.
Meanwhile, the People's Choice Award gives the public the opportunity to vote for their favourite Australian fashion designers among finalists selected by IMG and Afterpay.
Voting for the People's Choice Award is now open and will continue through to November 7 2021.
The finalists across the 2021 award categories are:
Designer of the Year
- Anna Plunket and Luke Sales, Romance Was Born
- Christopher Esber
- Edwina Forest and Adrian Norris, Aje
- Sophie Holt, Oroton
Emerging Designer of the Year, presented by Shopify Plus
- Jordan Dalah
- Jordan Gogos
- Julie Shaw, MAARA Collective
- Richard Jarman, COMMAS
Sustainable Innovation of the Year, presented by GlamCorner
- Emma Jarman and Richard Jarman, COMMAS
- James Bartle, Outland Denim
- Kit Willow, KITX
- Mary Lou Ryan and Deborah Sams, bassike
Indigenous Designer of the Year
- Denni Francisco, Ngali
- Grace Lillian Lee (pictured)
- Julie Shaw, MAARA Collective
- Lillardia Briggs-Houston, Ngarru Miimi
The Australian Fashion Laureate winners will be announced at a celebratory event in Sydney on November 30.
The event will adhere to all COVID safety requirements.
The Australian Fashion Laureate is supported by the NSW Government through Destination New South Wales (DNSW) as well as Afterpay, Shopify Plus and GlamCorner.