As Australian Fashion Week (AFW) drew to a close last Friday, it became clear organisers saved some of the best shows until last.
While AFW hosts major Australian designers like Carla Zampatti, Romance Was Born and Beare Park, the event is also an opportunity for up and coming designers to showcase, and mark their entry into the Australian industry.
Each year, a selection of up-and-comers are chosen to present at the New Generation show, offering them an opportunity to present their Resort collections to the industry and make their mark on AFW. With alumni such as Camilla and Marc, Anna Quan and Bec + Bridge, this showcase is an important marker into the start of a designer’s career.
This year featured five designer who, it quickly became apparent last Friday morning, are the future darlings of Australia’s fashion industry. Ahead, get to know the designers behind the names soon to be on everyone’s lips.
HALUMINOUS
Putting a modern spin on gothic romance and Victorian elegance, HALUMINOUS’ director, Hannah Teresa Kim says her brand is all about fantasy, romance and raw expression.
Hannah told Cosmopolitan Australia that she wants people to feel, “powerful, sensual and romantic” in her pieces and for her, HALUMINOUS is not just about clothing, but self expression and identity.
A 2015 graduate of UTS’ fashion course, Hannah takes inspiration from Australia’s natural environment and the coastal spirit, leading with themes of fantasy in all her designs.
On the future of Australian fashion, Hannah told Cosmo that she predicts, “Australia’s global reputation for resortwear will continue to grow, but I also see a new wave of independent designers rising. There is a hunger for authentic creativity here. I hope to see fewer talents needing to leave the country to find success, and more investment in building a strong, sustainable creative community”.
Buluuy Mirri
100% First Nations-owned and led, Buluuy Mirri — which means eaning “Black Star” in the Gamilaraay langauge — celebrates the strength and cultural richness of Indigenous communities. The brand is led by Colleen Tighe Johnson, for whom design is a means of self-discovery and connection to her cultural.
Colleen told Cosmo she is, “Inspired by being a bridge that provides an understanding of a past but also looks to the future”.
Like all her designs, this collection was inspired by the Australian environment and Gomeroi Country and aims to explore both ancient culture and the modern world.
Colleen wants to take others on her journey discovery with her, and is using her work to do so.
“I want them to feel connected to the artwork and the story, to ancient culture but part of a modern world, also the hope of bringing my stories to life in vibrant and beautiful colour ways,” she tells Cosmo, of her brand’s intention. “It is for women to feel proud to be wearing a First Nations story by a First Nations designer, Australian made and taking them to the world”.
BOTEH
Through the use of traditional techniques and thoughtful production, Boteh creates nostalgic, bold and luxurious resort-wear, designed to give women a feeling of elevated ease.
Director and designer, Amelia Mather told Cosmo that Boteh aims to uphold the beauty of tradition and create timeless resort-wear, aimed to speak to that :slower way of living.”
Artisan craftsmanship and a love for prints and colour are at the centre of the brand’s identity. On its ethos, Amelia told Cosmo: “BOTEH is about wearing pieces that feel like second skin, that uplift and comfort in equal measure. There’s a sense of soulful ease in our garments, a quiet confidence that comes from wearing something beautifully made, meaningful, and enduring”.
Taking inspiration from Australia’s natural landscapes, Amelia explained thhat, “We want women to feel grounded, free, and elevated in their everyday rituals; there’s a sense of soulful ease in our garments, a quiet confidence that comes from wearing something beautifully made, meaningful, and enduring”.
Miimi & Jiinda
Born from the relationship between a Gumbaynggirr mother and daughter, Miimi & Jiinda merge fine art with fashion and celebrate their culture through this collaboration.
Founder and creative director, Melissa Greenwood says storytelling is at the heart of the brand, as is honouring their ancestors and their matriarchal line. She explains she wants people to feel strong, proud and connected when wearing her pieces, and like they are carrying a piece of culture with them.
She told Cosmo: “At the heart of Miimi & Jiinda is storytelling. As a proud First Nations woman, everything I create is about honouring our ancestors, our matriarchal line, and our deep connection to Country. What drives me is carrying those stories forward and creating something beautiful that speaks to who we are, where we come from, and where we’re going.”
Melissa said that she is excited about the future of Australian fashion, telling Cosmo, “I think we’re moving into a time where culture, authenticity, and sustainability are at the centre — not on the edges. There’s more space for Indigenous voices, more appreciation for slow fashion, and a real hunger for designs that mean something”.
Permanent Vacation
Focused on the creation of high quality clothing that is timeless and effortless, Permanent Vacation brings contemporary ease to AFW.
With a considered and slow approach to fashion and design, Permanent Vacation defines themselves as an “ongoing project series,” rather than operating by seasons, and aims to fit seamlessly into the modern wardrobe. Informed by art and culture, their designs are by the modern woman, for the modern woman.
