The Afterpay Australian Fashion Week is a highly anticipated event within the fashion world, attracting an abundance of celebrities and social media influencers.
Models strutted their stuff in all kinds of outfits ranging from stunning gowns to outrageous fashion statements at the event held in Sydney.
From dogs debuting adorable outfits to Perth-raised model Gemma Ward’s runway return, here’s a look at some of the top can’t miss moments.
A-listers no more?
Australian Fashion Week was once a draw card for international celebrities such as Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian but now the event is swamped with social media influencers focused on keeping their followers up to date.
UK superstar Rita Ora was bound for this year’s event dressed by Saudi Arabian-Australian designer Yousef Akbar but was a no show.
Stylish celebs that were spotted included actresses Olympia Valance, Isabel Lucas and Sophie Wilde, activist Grace Tame, supermodel Sam Harris, model Bec Judd and desinger Nadia Bartel.
Gemma Ward’s angelic return
The Perth-born model opened one of the nation’s biggest fashion brands Aje for day two of the event looking ethereal in a tiered white skirt and simple tank top.
She made her debut at Australian Fashion week in 2003 when she was 15 before walking for the likes of Prada, Jean Paul Gaultier and Chanel.
The 35-year-old took a five-year break from modelling at the age of 20 after her partner Heath Ledger, died from a drug overdose in 2008.
Lissy Graham’s pinch me moment
The Perth fashion influencer and socialite and her daughter Chelsea took on the glitz and glamour with the mother-of-three honoured to be dressed in an eye-catching pink pant suit by designer Yousef Akbar who has many celebrity clients including Kimbra, Jessica Mauboy and Kelly Osbourne.
Graham said sitting in the front row on Monday was “definitely a pinch-me moment”.
“It’s definitely a pinch me moment, I think of myself as that little girl from Perth who often sits back and watches it and now the opportunity to have a designer like Yousef wants to dress you, it’s definitely something I’ve worked towards.
Graham has established herself as one of the Perth’s foremost fashion influencers thanks to her luxury wardrobe, regularly flaunting expensive designer outfits.
Buns out, suns out
Model Montana Cox sauntered down the runway underwear-free in a raunchy black velvet dress slit to the torso during the Michael Le Sordo show.
The 29-year-old was not the only one donning a risque outfit with model Dominique Elissa turning heads in a revealing rhinestone bra which barely covered her chest.
Influencer Sammy Robinson also wore the bare minimum with a high-cut skirt and tiny black bandeau top by her own label One Mile.
Pregnancy debut
Afghan-Australian designer Mariam Seddiq’s show featured a pregnant model during Wednesday night’s runway, who bared her belly in an elegant neon yellow set.
The model joins Perth’s own Gemma Ward who in 2016 walked a runway for David Jones while 15 weeks pregnant with her second child.
Famous celebs including Heidi Klum, Gigi Hadid, Ashley Graham and Lily Aldridge have also all walked high-profile runways while pregnant.
Big and bold
Brave designers served up a stark reminder that fashion is for everyone and every shape.
The waif chic fashionistas are accustomed to at European fashion week was replaced by models of all sizes on the runways.
The Youkhana show handpicked models inclusive of all sizes, ethnicities and genders.
And entering the fashion fold from the remote town of Haasts Bluff, the Ikuntji Artists presentation was also plus-size inclusive.
Doctor Chrischona Schmidt from the collective wanted the focus to be on the fashion prints and not who was wearing the fashion.
Ikuntji Artists manager Schmidt said: “The collection’s main function is to inspire people to connect with the art…”
Dogs upstage models
Dogs took over the spotlight with their street style and runway debut as Petstock launched a partnership with brands Romance Was Born, The Upside and Double Rainbouu.
Well-known influencers Tanya Hennessy, Jess Rae King, Olivia White and Donny Galella wore matching trendy outfits with their furry friends.
The designer collection allows fashionistas alike to dress to impress with their pooches, with 20 per cent of all sales from the range being donated to charity Petspiration Foundation.
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