We celebrate our favourites from across the ditch ahead of Australian Fashion Week
Australian Fashion Week is just around the corner (May 13-16) and if you’re anything like us, you’ll be looking forward to your Instagram feed filling up with new-season looks from old favourites and up and comers alike, alongside enviable street style from local and international influencers.
Here in New Zealand, we’re lucky enough to have access to a range of Australian designers and high-street retailers in the form of bricks and mortar stores and online offerings, with shipping that won’t sting you in quite the same way as an international DHL delivery is prone to do.
So with all eyes focused firmly on Sydney this May, we thought we would celebrate a few of our favourite Aussie fashion icons and share our picks for autumn/winter 2024 to help get you in the mood, mate.
For lovers of minimalist style
If there’s one area that Australian fashion has really laid claim to it’s contemporary, minimalist styling. Brands including Bassike, Jac + Jack and Assembly Label have truly nailed the category of elevated basics with their relaxed silhouettes and everyday pieces made predominantly from natural fibres. Focusing on quality and comfort, these are brands that continue to innovate when it comes to simple, modern essentials.
More recently, Dissh (which has very fast shipping to New Zealand) has been taking over social media with its on-trend shapes and beautiful designs, coming in at an affordable price point compared to the more luxury labels.
The likes of St Agni, Camilla and Marc and Scanlan Theodore are all prized for their craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail when it comes to design, which is reflected in their slightly higher price point. If you’re looking for modern separates and impeccable tailoring, Camilla and Marc hits the mark every season, and St Agni’s leather goods including footwear and handbags are world class.
Speaking of handbags, Australian content creator and entrepreneur Brooke Testoni’s accessories label Rylan is one to note if you’re in the market for a timeless tote or expertly crafted handbag.
Left to right: Rylan Recycled Alt-Leather Woven Small Tote, $399, Assembly Label Raina Coat, $420, Camilla and Marc Rhys Shearling Pump, $840, Dissh Celine Longline Vest, $149.99, St Agni Carter Trousers, $705
For those who like to shop the high street
Millennials will remember the choke hold Sportsgirl had over us in the late nineties before it closed all its New Zealand retail stores in June 2000. Thankfully, the gap left by Sportsgirl has been well and truly filled over the last 20 years by the likes of Witchery, Kookai, Seed Heritage, Country Road and Trenery.
For anyone who prefers to shop in person rather than risk a rogue online order, these shopping mall stalwarts offer the beauty of contemporary design and trending shapes along with epic sales and excellent customer rewards systems. Country Road, in particular, is really knocking it out of the park with its AW 2024 collection.
Left to right: Kookai Maria Maxi Dress, $260, Witchery Tactile Knit Cardigan, $259.90, Country Road Relaxed Denim Pant, $229, Trenery Cotton Twill Longline Trench, $499
For creative and colourful types
Blurring the lines between fashion and art, Romance Was Born is an Australian Fashion Week icon, known for its imaginative and avant-garde designs and whimsical theatrics. Because while Australian fashion may have become synonymous with chic tailoring, there are certainly plenty more brands pushing the boat out when it comes to bold design too.
Aje, which has only opened retail stores here in New Zealand in the past few years, is celebrated for its eclectic designs, blending intricate embellishments with relaxed silhouettes to create unique and artistic pieces that capture the essence of Australian style.
Those with a more bohemian bent will no doubt look to Zimmermann for its uber feminine designs in ready-to-wear clothing, swimwear and accessories which exude luxury and elegance. The beauty of pieces from brands like this is that they are truly works of art, and if you’re into the idea of creating a fashion archive of your own, you will never regret holding onto precious pieces. That being said, be sure to regularly check resale sites to get your hands on pre-loved items to add to your collection too.
And we can’t talk about colour and eclecticism without mentioning Gorman. The high street brand’s bold prints and playful designs extend beyond clothing to accessories, homeware and fun pieces for children that embody a sense of frivolity and individuality. Another brand that also knows how to do a good sale, might we add.
Left to right: Zimmermann Halliday Bias Skirt, $525, Aje Charmed Rosette Ruffle Bustier, $375, Romance Was Born Play Doh Shirt Dress, $320, Gorman Starry Night Jumper, $319
For heritage design
And finally, we can’t talk about Australian fashion without mentioning a few of the country’s most beloved brands, those that have really stood the test of time. Whether you’ve been to the outback or not, you’ve no doubt heard of R.M. Williams. With a rich heritage rooted in Australian outback culture, the brand’s high-quality leather boots aren’t just worn by cowboys, but city boys (and girls) too – because you buy a pair once, and you’ll have them forever.
Australia’s oldest luxury fashion house, Oroton, is also known for its leather goods, with its always classic line-up of bags and accessories for men and women. Its ready-to-wear line of clothing is always on point too, and another great example of chic tailoring and timeless, everyday elegance. And of course, Carla Zampatti, one of Australia’s most renowned womenswear designers offers luxury pieces that blend classic style with modern sensibility. The Ponsonby boutique is an essential stop if you’re looking for a truly show-stopping event piece.
Left to right: R.M. Williams Millicent Rubber Sole Boot, $749, Oroton Mica Mini Bowler, $399, Carla Zampatti Black Sequin Bodysuit, $1099