Australian Fashion Week has revealed the key brands taking part in its consumer runway line-up this year, which organisers say marks a step-change in scale and accessibility for the annual fashion event. This comes alongside the full schedule reveal.
This year’s event – running from May 11 to 15 – will include six runways that the public can purchase tickets for, which include the likes of Carla Zampatti, Hansen & Gretel, Mariam Seddiqu and Iordanes Spyridon Gogos, alongside two grouped runway showcases.
These runways will be scattered throughout the week, with all solo consumer shows immediately following their respective ‘invitation only’ runways on the same day. Last year, which was the first Fashion Week run under stewardship by the Australian Fashion Council (AFC), the event was solely focused on trade, with all runways being ‘by invitation’ only.
The two grouped runways will feature the likes of Aje Studio, Bec + Bridge, Friends with Frank, Henne, Romy, Silk Laundry, and more to be announced.
The rest of the schedule, covering trade runways, a business lunch and a business dinner, masterclasses and talks, can be found on the Australian Fashion Week website. Within that is a stronger representation of First Nations design embedded through the week.
The event’s official opening is a Welcome to Country, followed by two dedicated runaways presented by Create NSW featuring Buluuy Mirrii and Van Ermel Scherer.
Ngali will present a standalone runway, while New Generation, presented by DHL, includes ‘EDITION x Sarrita King’ and ‘KINGKING CREATIVE’.
AFW fashion director Kellie Hush said the consumer ramp-up adds another level of value to presenting designers.
"Australian Fashion Week has never been more important to the industry it serves,” Hush said. “There's a collective momentum building around this event, and when AFW is stronger, every Australian designer and brand benefits.
“More buyers in the room, more media attention on the week, more consumer engagement with the sector. The AFC's role is to build and grow this platform, and the industry gets to use it. We're proud to be presenting a week that firmly positions Sydney and Australian fashion on the world stage.
The hub for AFW 2026 will be at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Circular Quay, with runways showcasing in and around that space. The Carla Zampatti runway, for instance, will be featured on the Park Hyatt Boardwalk, just north of the MCA, with 16 of the 39 currently scheduled events being off-site.
AFW is also allowing the public to register for a free ‘Fashion Pass’, offering access to AFW’s Official 2026 Opening Welcome to Country, the Live Stream at the MCA, early access to tickets and exclusive invitations to AFW events.
AFW is supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW alongside Shark Beauty as presenting sponsor.