A new era

With the festival entering its eighth year and a change of locale from St Peters to the Adelaide CBD, the four-day program includes a suite of curated events happening all over the city from Thursday, October 22 to Sunday, October 25. This includes the newly established AFF Runway – a pop-up headquarters taking over Hindmarsh Square. The 2015 AFF has also done away with the traditional ‘face of the festival’ approach. This year they feature multiple local faces as the headliners of the event; an innovative nod to the diversity of the industry itself. The 2015 AFF sees the return of hometown heroes like Nicole Bonython-Hines (Stylist and Fashion Editor), highlighting the festival’s focus on showcasing the work of South Australians who have had international success. Bonython-Hines has been one of Adelaide’s most successful fashion exports, working as Fashion Director at Australian Elle, Cleo and Follow Me, as well as a stint as Senior Fashion Editor-at-Large at Madison. She has also worked with an impressive list of famously stylish celebrities, the likes of which include Naomi Campbell, Kylie Minogue and Naomi Watts. “I see the Adelaide Fashion Festival as a wonderful opportunity to work alongside Adelaide innovative designers, many who are forging some of the most exciting careers to watch,” says Bonython-Hines. “I can’t wait to collaborate and help them showcase their talents to local and broader markets. It will be exciting to see the magic of the shows come to fruition.” The blockbuster program includes an impressive roster of Adelaide’s best designers. Paolo Sebastian will launch his 2016 collection off the back of phenomenal success designing for the Cannes and Oscar red carpets, Sally Phillips will make her AFF debut with her timeless collection of elegant pieces, and Tiff Manuell’s innovative use of art and bespoke design will light up the runway. Australian Fashion Labels are making waves locally and internationally and the BNKR runway is a sure sell-out, featuring The Fifth Label, Finders Keepers, Keepsake and C/MEO COLLECTIVE. As well as featuring Adelaide’s more established designers, the festival represents an opportunity for SA’s emerging designers to show us what they’re made of. The 2015 AFF Premier’s Design Award will be presented and judged at this year’s festival. Open to TAFE SA’s final year fashion students, the winner of this coveted honour receives 12 months of professional mentoring from some of Adelaide’s hardest-working and most successful designers. The award will be presented to one of five finalists at the Ready to Wear event on Thursday, October 22. As well as an opportunity to take in the latest and greatest in South Australian fashion and design, the festival features a packed social calendar. In its third year – and the newest addition to the festival program – A Night of Fashion at the Art Gallery with Clique Mag will include collections from local designers TY-LR and Acler, showcased against the breathtaking backdrop of the Elder Wing in the Art Gallery of South Australia. Well-loved outdoor events such as Variety on King William and Parades on Norwood Parade will give guests the chance to enjoy the best in fashion, food and wine. The 2015 AFF is shaping up to be the festival’s biggest year yet; celebrating the talented, innovative and hard-working people building South Australia’s reputation as a centre of creativity and design. adelaidefashionfestival.com.au