The Melbourne Fashion Festival leadership team have appointed Damien Woolnough to the newly created role of creative director, the organisation announced.
Woolnough was most recently fashion editor for The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald and has spent more than 25 years covering designers, retailers, models and the broader fashion industry across publications including Vogue, InStyle, Elle, The Australian, GQ, the Herald Sun and the Sunday Times.
He has also appeared regularly on television and radio to discuss industry trends.
In the newly established position, Woolnough will work with the Festival team on programming, marketing and event experience, with a focus on supporting Australian fashion talent and building industry and audience engagement domestically and internationally.
MFF board chairman Launa Inman said his appointment comes at a key juncture in the Festival’s 30-year history.
“Damien Woolnough's appointment as creative director marks a bold first step in our evolving strategy, strengthening the Festival's creative voice, deepening its industry and consumer connection and reinforcing Melbourne's place as Australia's fashion capital,” Inman said.
MFF interim CEO Alexandra Smart added that the creation of this new role is a significant step and is a clear statement of ambition for the Festival’s future. She said Woolnough brings deep fashion credibility, cultural intelligence and a strong understanding of the Australian fashion landscape.
“We are delighted to welcome him back to Melbourne to take the creative helm of the Festival and help shape its next chapter as one of Melbourne's major cultural events."
Woolnough will begin the role in early August. Planning for the 2027 Festival is already underway.
Woolnough said he always believed fashion is more than about clothes. “It's about identity, culture and the stories we tell about ourselves,” he said.
“After more than 25 years reporting on Australian fashion, I'm excited to work with the Melbourne Fashion Festival team, our designers and industry partners to help write the next chapter of the Festival, building on its proud legacy as a major event that is ambitious, welcoming and creatively fearless."