While every Australian Fashion Week show is unique, there are some moments people will talk about for years to come. Moments like Bella Hadid opening the Misha Collection runway show in 2016, Australia’s first adaptive fashion show in 2022, and when Ten Pieces drained Icebergs’ pool and used it as a runway in 2015.
When it comes to those memorable moments, this year’s AFW didn’t disappoint. From a show set in a glass tunnel at Sea Life Sydney Aquarium with sharks and manta rays swimming above, to another showing last year’s collection clothes and announcing they won’t release new items until those are all sold, this is our edit of the coolest moments of AFW 2024.
Madre Natura Showed Last Year’s Collection
In a bold move, Madre Natura showed clothes from its last year collection. At its Thursday show, the brand played a video at the start, explaining that it wasn’t going to launch a new collection until all of the clothes from its previous had been sold.
“Australians throw 500 million kgs of clothing into landfill every year,” the clip shared. “To avoid wastage, we took a stand.”
Speed Was Held in Sydney Aquarium’s Shark Tunnel
In an Australian Fashion Week first, Speed showed its collection at Sydney Aquarium. Guests mingled with cocktails and canapes inside before they were ushered through the darkened aquarium to the shark tunnel where they leaned against the wall as models walked past.
Romance Was Born Set Its Show on the Moon
Romance Was Born is known for its theatrical shows, and this year’s lived up to the expectation with a show at Carriageworks on Wednesday night set on the moon.
Models wearing the label’s Resort ’25 collection ‘The Nothing’ walked around three oversized ‘moons’ that hung from the ceiling. A smoke machine and haunting soundtrack added to the moonscape feel.
Mariam Seddiq Showed in a Hidden CBD Club
On Thursday night, Mariam Seddiq showed at The Vault House, a hidden basement club at Machine Hall on Clarence Street in the city. Guests entered through an unmarked door on the street where they were greeted with a packed party scene.
At 9:30pm, without any warning, models in short black wigs walked a narrow, raised runway at the edge of the room, showing Resort ’25 collection ‘Chroma’. Seddiq walked out to dance alongside side of them at the end.
Michael Lo Sordo Threw a Big Party
On Tuesday night, Michael Lo Sordo took over the Machine Hall on Clarence Street in the CBD for a one-night-only Le Club Lo Sordo. Guests were invited to mingle and drink in the red-lit hall before being seated for the show.
A piano player in the centre of the room kicked it off, continuing to play as models dressed in sequins, mesh, metallics and silk walked through the hall.
P.E Nation Debuted Its New Direction
One of the most anticipated collections of AFW this year was P.E Nation’s RE/CREATION Collection, shown at Carriageworks on Tuesday. Under the sole creative direction of Pip Edwards, the collection showed a strong departure from the brand’s usual aesthetic of blacks, oranges and colour blocking.
Instead, clothes were in a muted colour palette of neutrals and pastels. The new collection featured sheer mesh skirts, buttery soft cargo pants and activewear in grey marle.
Mastani’s Show Felt Like an Indian Wedding
Indian designer Kudrat Makkar was told she couldn’t burn incense during her Mastani show, so the Carriageworks gallery where it was set was closed for an hour beforehand so she could light the sticks and lend the space the scent.
At the centre of the room was an iron cauldron filled with marigolds, flowers popular at Hindu weddings because they represent the sun and symbolise brightness and positive energy. Models walked in Mastani’s ‘Heritage’ collection.
Indigenous Fashion Projects Featured a Smoking Ceremony
David Jones’ Indigenous Fashion Projects show saw five First Nations designers, Gali Swimwear, Ihraa Swim, Joseph and James, Lazy Girl Lingerie, Miimi and Jiinda, showing their creations on Thursday night at Carriageworks. The show started and ended with a traditional smoking ceremony.
No Phones Allowed at All Is a Gentle Spring
Label All Is Gentle Spring took a page from The Row’s fashion show handbook with their show at AFW’24, implementing a no-phones policy. The rule was noted on the invite and shared in an announcement ahead of the show.
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