Australian Fashion Week 2026 Highlights: From Table Dresses to Opera Gloves
Australian Fashion Week 2026 showcased a range of innovative designs, from Toni Maticevski's dramatic trapezoid shoulders with a head inside to Luke Rutherford-Durney's 'The Heiress' hoodie tracksuit with a plywood tabletop silhouette. Key trends included opera gloves, sheer fabrics, and tonal dressing. Designers like Alix Higgins reworked polo shirts into bottomwear, while Carla Zampatti introduced lilac and crimson tailoring. Gary Bigeni presented fluid jersey dresses, and Bianca Spender featured aviation motifs. Christian Kimber blended relaxed Australian style with European sensibilities. Mariam Seddiq offered a draped going-out top, and Esse's Charlotte Hicks created a fringed satin dress. Denni Francisco focused on water-resistant cotton coats with circle embellishments representing waterways, and L'Idée Woman's kaftan featured signature pleating. The event took place in Australia, with shows from various designers including Toni Maticevski, Nagnata, Alix Higgins, Carla Zampatti, Gary Bigeni, Bianca Spender, Christian Kimber, Mariam Seddiq, Esse, Denni Francisco, L'Idée Woman, and TAFE student Luke Rutherford-Durney.
Key facts
- Toni Maticevski created a dress with silver leaves and a head inside the silhouette.
- Nagnata introduced denim totes worn as tops, styled by Joel Piccini and Jessica Dos Remedios.
- Alix Higgins reworked polo shirts into bottomwear with ribbons and internet-forward patterns.
- Carla Zampatti featured lilac and crimson tailoring by Tanya Emon Beattie.
- Gary Bigeni showed fluid jersey dresses in blue, styled by Jana Bartolo.
- Bianca Spender used opera gloves with sheer fabrics and aviation motifs.
- Christian Kimber combined relaxed Australian style with European tailoring.
- Mariam Seddiq presented a draped bodice top worn with leather trousers.
- Esse designer Charlotte Hicks created a fringed satin dress.
- Denni Francisco's collection included water-resistant cotton coats with circle embellishments and scarves by Gija artist Lindsay Malay.
- L'Idée Woman's kaftan featured signature pleating and was modeled by Taylor Hill.
- Luke Rutherford-Durney's 'The Heiress' dress had a plywood tabletop silhouette and shredded hemline.
Entities
Artists
- Toni Maticevski
- Alix Higgins
- Tanya Emon Beattie
- Gary Bigeni
- Bianca Spender
- Christian Kimber
- Mariam Seddiq
- Charlotte Hicks
- Denni Francisco
- Lindsay Malay
- Breeana Smith
- Luke Rutherford-Durney
- Joel Piccini
- Jessica Dos Remedios
- Jana Bartolo
- Bruna Lapinskas
- Taylor Hill
- Diana Vreeland
Institutions
- Australian Fashion Week
- Nagnata
- Carla Zampatti
- Esse
- L'Idée Woman
- TAFE
- Victoria's Secret
Locations
- Australia