Australian Fashion Week 2026: Maticevski Returns, Full Lineup Revealed

Australian Fashion Week 2026 Reveals Designer Lineup, Maticevski Returns

Australian Fashion Week 2026 has revealed its official designer lineup, including the highly anticipated return of Toni Maticevski and a move to a new harbourside venue. The schedule balances legacy brands with exciting emerging talent, promising a dynamic week for the industry.

Adrianne Cole

March 30, 2026 · 5 min read

Australian Fashion Week 2026 will run from May 11 to 15 at a new harbourside venue, with the Australian Fashion Council announcing the official designer lineup.

Australian Fashion Week, in its second iteration under the Australian Fashion Council (AFC), features the return of celebrated designer Toni Maticevski after a decade-long absence and a move to the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. The lineup balances the commercial power of legacy brands with the creative energy of emerging talent, a strategy designed to amplify the global reach of local design. More than 200 designers applied to present, reflecting a competitive creative landscape.

What We Know So Far

Australian Fashion Week (AFW) 2026 will take place from May 11 to 15 at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) in Sydney, moving from its previous home of 13 years, Carriageworks, according to The Guardian.
The official designer lineup includes the return of Melbourne designer Toni Maticevski to the AFW schedule after a 10-year absence.
The New Gen showcase for emerging designers is confirmed to return, featuring Alberta Bucciarelli, Edition Alice Van Meurs x Sarrita King, Gloria Chol, and KingKing Creative.
Established brands presenting collections include Aje, Bianca Spender, Carla Zampatti, Hansen & Gretel, Mariam Seddiq, and Nagnata.
Shark Beauty will return as the presenting partner for the 2026 event, as confirmed by a statement on us.fashionnetwork.com.
First Nations design will be highlighted through two dedicated shows by Indigenous designers Buluuy Mirrii and van Ermel Scherer.

Australian Fashion Week 2026: Full Designer Lineup Revealed

The Australian Fashion Council's schedule, a mix of industry pillars and ascendant names, aims to present a dynamic week of presentations. Legacy houses Carla Zampatti and Aje, known for their significant commercial footprint and established design codes, will anchor the schedule. They are joined by mainstays Bianca Spender, Gary Bigeni, and Hansen & Gretel, whose continued presence provides a crucial through-line of Australian design history and market strength, speaking to both the heritage and future of the nation's style identity.

This foundation of established talent creates a powerful platform for the next wave of designers who are redefining the local aesthetic. The inclusion of names like Alix Higgins, Courtney Zheng, and the avant-garde Iordanes Spyridon Gogos points to a curatorial focus on innovation and conceptual design. These designers represent a more experimental edge of the industry, challenging conventions with their unique perspectives on materiality and silhouette. Similarly, brands like ESSE, Ngali, and Nicol & Ford, while newer, have already carved out distinct identities and will be closely watched by buyers and editors. The schedule also makes space for brands like COMMAS, Christian Kimber, and Nagnata, which expertly blend lifestyle appeal with a high-fashion sensibility, reflecting a key strength of the Australian market.