IMG revealed the winners of the 2018 Australian Fashion Laureate Awards at Sydney’s State Theatre on November 20.
The night honoured individuals who have made significant contributions to the growth,
development and global promotion of the Australian fashion industry. It was hosted by supermodel Georgia Fowler and comedian Ash Williams with a special performance by musical artist Robinson.
The Australian Fashion Laureate was established in 200a by IMG, with the support of the New South Wales Government, to shine an international light on the exceptional talent and creativity within the Australian fashion industry. Australian Fashion Laureate Awards are nominated and voted on by a panel of more than 30 industry leaders, including designers, media, buyers, creatives, brand executives and communications professionals.
Celebrating outstanding contributions across established categories – Lifetime Achievement, Womenswear, Menswear, Retail, Emerging Designer, Accessories – the Australian Fashion Laureate also revealed two new categories for 2018, Model of the Year and Outstanding Editorial.
IMG also introduced a new special recognition as an accompaniment to industry-voted awards: The International Impact Honouree. This honour celebrated an individual championing and representing Australian fashion and culture to audiences abroad.
The 2018 Australian Fashion Laureate Award winners and special honouree are:
- AUSTRALIAN FASHION LAUREATE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Edwina McCann
- BEST AUSTRALIAN WOMENSWEAR Romance Was Born
- BEST AUSTRALIAN MENSWEAR Song for The Mute
- BEST AUSTRALIAN EMERGING DESIGNER Albus Lumen
- BEST AUSTRALIAN RETAILER Zimmermann
- BEST AUSTRALIAN ACCESSORIES DESIGNER Lucy Folk
- MODEL OF THE YEAR Adut Akech Bior
- INTERNATIONAL IMPACT HONOUREE Russell James
- OUTSTANDING EDITORIAL Georges Antoni
The awards are nominated and voted on by a panel of more than 20 industry leaders including designers, media, buyers, creatives, brand executives and communications professionals.
IMG Fashion Asia-Pacific executive director Natalie Xenita said this year’s awards celebrated another strong year in Australian fashion.
“The announcement of the 2018 Australian Fashion Laureate Awards signals the culmination of another strong year for the Australian fashion industry and provides an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate our collective achievements in the company of esteemed peers. The introduction of new award categories and a special honouree allows our industry to both acknowledge and promote the efforts and accomplishments of individuals who contribute to this industry’s success, both locally and on the international stage.”
