It’s been a big few years for AFW, and now, with a pivotal move out of Carriageworks and into the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, the event promises to be more than just a collection of runway shows, but a unique, citywide collision of art, fashion, and culture.
Presented once again in partnership with Shark Beauty, this year’s program marks a confident new groove for Australian fashion, one that feels culturally relevant, industry-led, and undeniably forward-thinking. Here’s what (and who) to expect down the catwalk:
The ones to watch
With a fresh wave of excitement about the move, AFW will see coveted established brands and emerging talent descend upon Sydney Harbour, including some exciting return appearances from legacy brands.
Brands that will make their AFW mark include homegrown heavyweights like Aje, Bianca Spender, Carla Zampatti, Hansen & Gretel, alongside the rising talent of Courtney Zheng, Nagnata, and Iordanes Spyridon Gogos.
2026 will also see the return of Toni Maticevski after a 10-year hiatus from AFW. We don’t know exactly what’s in store for the collection, but if the past is anything to go by, we can expect his signature edge, exaggerated silhouettes, and sculptural forms.
Also earning a spot on the lineup are Alix Higgins, Beare Park, Christian Kimber, Commas, ESSE, Farage, FDS: The Innovators, Gary Bigeni, Karla Spetic, L’IDEE, Mariam Seddiq, Nicol & Ford, and Ngal. So, to say the program is star-studded would be an understatement.
With the program grounded by a main runway housed in the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia’s Federation Hall, AFW will also infiltrate new corners of the city, with brands opting to take their showings off-site, taking shape in new and unique ways (and we are on the edge of our seats to see what this looks like).
Fashion’s fresh wave
Always regarded as one of the most anticipated showings of the year, the next generation runways will be expanded into three separate shows in 2026.
In collaboration with Create NSW, The Frontier will be a daring group runway showcasing six creatives who are shaping the next era of Australian design, featuring Haluminous, madre natura, Ouse, Paris Jade Burrows, and Suzaan Stander.
Meanwhile, the New Gen showcase presented by DHL will spotlight emerging designers Alberta Bucciarelli, EDITION Alice Van Meurs x Sarrita King, Gloria Chol, and KingKing Creative, each bringing their unique flavour to the table.
And this year, First Nations design will also receive its own deserving moment in the spotlight, with two dedicated shows by Indigenous designers Buluuy Mirrii and van Ermel Scherer. Now this is a generation of innovative and conscious design that really is putting Australia on the fashion map, and not a part of the program to be slept on.
AFW’s next chapter
With Sydney Harbour iconography as the backdrop, and a program that balances exclusive invite-only and ticketed events open to the public, AFW is returning to its roots – an event that acts as both a cultural spectacle and a commercial platform that connects designers with buyers on a global scale.
What gets so often misunderstood about AFW is that at its core, it’s an event that aims to platform local brands and encourage commercial success, something that the not-for-profit Australian Fashion Council aims to keep front of mind.
As AFC Fashion Director Kellie Hush puts it, “the big focus is on selling Australian fashion to Australia and the world”.
Thanks to AFW’s unique model, consumers are granted a level of access to the designs that walk the runway that’s just not seen internationally. Hush sees this as Australian fashion’s secret weapon, adding, “I think what we do better than anywhere else in the world is we create brands for an incredible lifestyle that we have here.”
AFW is going in an exciting direction, one that meets contemporary audiences where they are at, allowing the public a chance to experience the event firsthand, all while prioritising and nurturing local talent.
Beyond The Runway
In 2026’s fresh feel, it’s clear the event is continuing to evolve beyond the traditional runway format. Utilising Sydney as its stage, AFW will showcase public livestreams in Circular Quay, alongside other city-wide activations, as well as a curated selection of “see-now-buy-now collections” from our most coveted local brands.
Continuing to evolve beyond the traditional runway format, off-site runways and broader activations will make up a larger part of the five-day schedule. An exciting program inclusion is AFW’s thought leadership series for the industry. Curated by the AFC and in partnership with Afterpay, the series returns in 2026 with a bigger and better program of talks, workshops and activations, each designed to create structured opportunities for designers, founders, and other industry members. Topics of discussion will span the AFC’s four impact areas: Commerce & Trade, Jobs & Skills, Local Manufacturing and Sustainability, each designed to build Australia’s fashion eco-system.
With tickets and more info yet to come, all we can do now is sit patiently, start planning our outfits, and prepare ourselves for AFW’s most intriguing and innovative year yet. Stay tuned for updates here.
