All of Australian Fashion Week’s Biggest Trends in One Place

Afterpay Australian Fashion Week, the biggest week on the Australian fashion calendar, kicked off at Sydney’s Carriageworks on Monday, May 15. Throughout the week, some of Australia’s best designers will present their Resort ’24 collections to buyers, international and local media (that’s us), creators, influencers, and if you’re lucky enough to have scored a ticket, members of the public!

Designer favourites like ALEMAIS, St Agni, Bec & Bridge, Maggie Marilyn, Michael Lo Sordo, and Bondi Born will be presenting their Resort ’24 collections, and we’ll be taking you along for the ride, showcasing the biggest trends to hit the runway.

Here, we’ll round up the biggest fashion trends we spot on the runways — the styles we’ll no doubt all be wearing come September as collections drop in store.

Statement Shoulders

Rick Owens, Balenciaga, and Giambattista Valli’s runways showed bold shoulders last year, and now the trend has arrived in Australia with ALEMAIS kicking off AAFW, showcasing the dramatic silhouette. The padded shoulder has long been a symbolic motif in fashion associated with the history of the women’s movement.

No-Pants Pants

Several stars have already been spotted in no-pants pants this year, and now the trend has reached our shores. Don’t wait until spring to try the no-pants pants trend. Wear it for winter with tights and a boxy blazer or trench coat.

Astralian stylist Georgina Downe predicted the trend was likely to be featured at Australian Fashion Week this year. “When Kendall Jenner wore the Bottega Veneta Spring ‘23 runway look of sheer tights, black briefs and a crew neck sweater in the streets of LA carrying a bunch of flowers, she made the pant-less look acceptable off the runway,” she had told POPSUGAR Australia.

But have you heard of the Kendall Jenner no pants trend!? pic.twitter.com/fKTVuq4QsP

— Alli 💛💛 (@AlliFitz) January 28, 2023

Ballet Flats

Ballet flats were all over the runways, including at Gary Bigeni where this model wore a square-toed pair, the Tarramarra Libera Ballet Flats by UGG Express.

Ballet flats were also spotted off the runway, with creator Arianne Witt of @lola_jagger wearing a pair of Senso Billy II.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ARIANNE (@lola_jagger)

Hot Pink

Turns out, last year’s Barbiecore fashion trend isn’t over. Hot pink was all over the runway, including at Michael Lo Sordo with this velvet number, pictured below. The vibrant hue was also spotted at AJE in the form of a floor-length, accordion-ruffled dress and at Maggie Marilyn in a long-sleeved button-down.

Draping

Fluid pleated gowns ruled the runway at BONDI BORN. Tap into this trend with pieces already in your closet or for a new vibe, look for pleats, ruching and draping. The result? A dreamy, goddess look.