US brand Nicole Miller is eyeing further growth in the Australian market through an inaugural event in Sydney called My Charity Runway, in a bid to reintroduce the label to local audiences.
Nicole Miller products are currently sold in Australia through TK Maxx, and are also sold into Australia via Amazon.
The eponymous brand was founded in 1982 in New York, with founder Nicole Miller scaling it to global reach through 1,500 specialty and department stores, and boasts $650 million in revenue per year. As well as womenswear, the brand also sells accessories, men's, kid's, fragrance, beauty and home.
Miller said the Australian push builds on the brand’s successful program in the United States and Canada.
“We see potential for further growth over time,” Miller said. “My Charity Runway was a great way to reintroduce the brand to new audiences and build awareness.”
The inaugural runway event was launched on Friday last week, established by lawyer and entrepreneur Sarah Quinn over the last three months. The idea was built on six successful charity and fashion events over the last two years, and is intended to make luxury more affordable.
The event spotlights a curated selection of emerging female Australian designers and the causes each designer is passionate about.
Nicole Miller showcased pieces from her ‘living archive’ and previewed never-before-seen designs from an upcoming collection.
"Fashion has always been about creativity, optimism, and bringing people together,” Miller said.
“That's why I'm excited to be part of My Charity Runway – it's a celebration of great design with a purpose, and that's something I believe the industry needs more of.”
Quinn said My Charity Runway has been a significant investment – “not only financially, but also in time, relationships and belief.”
“Once we had the idea, we moved incredibly quickly. Being a founder-led initiative, we felt we needed to prove the concept before reaching out for greater collaboration and support.
“We brought together designers, charities, creatives, production teams, partners, media, fashion and business students and volunteers who understood what we were trying to build.”
Quinn said the event is also about bringing an experience that is usually reserved for fashion elites to a much broader audience.
The event brought together retailers, buyers, media and VIP guests across Australia and globally.
Quinn has led teams raising over $380 million for Australian charities, and recently through fashion initiatives. Her vision is to create a new form of ethical fashion.
“Fashion is part of almost everyone’s daily life,” Quinn said. “But its ability to command attention, start conversations and create visibility for important social issues is underused.
“Australia ranked eighth among more than 140 countries in the 2024 World Giving Index, but wanting to do good does not always mean we take action.”
Every item sold through the My Charity Runway Shop from the designers’ showcased collections will generate a 15 per cent donation to their chosen charity.
Some designs also carry the cause directly into the collection. This includes Styled Collective’s three couture pieces for Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre, which cover a personal journey from domestic violence to resilience and survival.
Despite being emerging, the My Charity Runway designers have already attained recognition and experience.
Legally blind designer Julie Jaise, of House of Jaise, appeared at New York Fashion Week, while Edward Meller founder Yael Star featured on the Carla Zampatti Runway at Australian Fashion Week.
These designers and the inaugural runway event represent a first step for the platform.
“The aim of My Charity Runway is to create connections and opportunities that continue well beyond the runway, first in Australia and then globally,” Quinn said.
“Long term, I want the My Charity Runway Shop to evolve into a retail platform, both online and through department stores such as David Jones, giving purpose-led Australian designers greater visibility.”
Quinn said she plans to return next year and ultimately build to three runway shows a year.
“In many ways, the causes have already given us our colour palette. Pink, red, purple and so many other colours associated with causes can inspire future shows, each bringing together different designers, charities and stories,” Quinn said.
“But importantly, MCR is a platform, not just a runway. The runway is the centrepiece creating the moment, but around it we can create so much more.
My Charity Runway also taps ethical buttons for Miller, who said that sustainability and ethics are becoming less of a trend and more of an expectation.
“Consumers are paying closer attention to how products are made, where materials come from, how workers are treated, and ultimately, how long something is designed to last,” she said. “At the same time, there is a growing appreciation for buying fewer, better pieces and for brands that have a clear point of view and a sense of longevity.
“I also think the conversation is becoming more nuanced. Ethical fashion isn’t simply about using sustainable materials—it encompasses the entire ecosystem, from responsible sourcing and manufacturing to reducing waste and creating products that people will continue to wear and value over time.”
Over the next few years, Miller expects transparency and accountability to become increasingly important, with technology helping both brands and consumers better understand a product’s journey.
“I also believe the industry will continue moving toward more circular models, thoughtful production, and greater emphasis on quality and longevity. For me, great design has always been about creating something that feels relevant beyond a single season, and that philosophy is inherently connected to a more responsible approach to fashion.”
My Charity Runway was held on August 28 at Doltone House Heritage Wharf on Sydney Harbour, with tickets open to the public.