Celebrating the Rise of Local Fashion

With the new festival ownership, and support from the South Australian Government and event management by Events South Australia, the festival shows its continual commitment to developing the Adelaide fashion industry and celebrating the unique and talented designers within our state.

For this year’s festival, we’ll see some familiar names including Acler, C/MEO Collective, Paolo Sebastian and Jaimie Sortino plus some new inclusions from STONE, Namoi and Stephanie Chehade. The festival’s creative director Chris Kontos has also enlisted some of the Australian fashion industry heavyweights to lead the charge in styling, including Nicole Bonython-Hines and Philippa Moroney.

Paolo Sebastian is on of the great local fashion success stories

Instead of opting for one face of the festival, this year there are three models – one from each of Adelaide’s leading agencies: Lily Nova of Finesse Models (who recently walked for Gucci), Adele McKeen of Pride Models and Angel Allan of emerging agency Azalea Models.

The Adelaide fashion industry is growing and thriving thanks to $2 million of government support towards the festival. It is part of the State Government’s $70 million investment in additional tourism funding in the past two years to market South Australia nationally and internationally and attract major events and conferences.

Acler’s unique pieces will feature on Adelaide Fashion Festival’s Runway 3

Included in the program are two separate Paolo Sebastian runways. With Paul Vasileff recently showing his latest 2017 Paolo Sebastian collection in Paris – and joined by a team of Adelaide talent on the trip including photographer Simon Cecere and director Nima Nabili Rad – the international focus for Adelaide designers is clear. As well as Paris, we have seen Adelaide designers showing collections in China, Jakarta and Mumbai.

The new approach for the festival is refreshing. This year’s program is carefully considered and highlights the talented and innovative designers we have in this state.

This year’s designers are grouped together in number of ways. Runway 5 features the young guns of Adelaide fashion (SIG The Label, Casper+Pearl, STONE, Lexi, Julie White, Simmone Standing The Label, and Sylvy Earl) styled by Vogue’s Philippa Moroney. Runway 3 brings together the new classics (Acler, Naomi Murrell, Elizabeth V, Sylvy Earl and The Daily Edited) – teamed up with footwear by iconic RM Williams.

With a growing following in Adelaide Naomi Murrell will also feature on Runway 3

A Night of Fashion at the Art Gallery with Clique Mag returns for its fourth year running (and second year on the official festival program) showcasing top Australian designers in the Elder Wing of the Art Gallery of South Australia. The festival will open on Wednesday, October 19 with a unique insight into the career and journey of Lisa Messenger – CEO, entrepreneur and publisher behind Collective Hub. Held at the Mercedes-Benz Adelaide showroom, the lunch will also feature a menu prepared by Tasting Australia creative director Simon Bryant that is set to challenge guests in the way they experience food.

The State Government’s push to highlight the South Australian fashion industry on a national and international level is a positive one and the festival branding, focus and program shows that Adelaide can compete and stand on its own alongside fashion festivals from Melbourne and Sydney.

Adelaide Fashion Festival

Wednesday, October 19 to Sunday, October 23
adelaidefashionfestival.com.au