Sydney (12 October 2023)
Today, IMG announced the winners of the 2023 Australian Fashion Laureate, honouring outstanding accomplishments in Australian fashion. Established in 2008, the Australian Fashion Laureate takes place annually to celebrate excellence and highlight achievements in Australian design, sustainability, and leadership across the fashion industry. Winners were announced at a celebratory luncheon at Sydney’s iconic Bennelong Restaurant.
“The Australian Fashion Laureate champions the best in Australian fashion and this year’s winners showcase the diversity of skilled creatives and professionals who have contributed to Australian fashion’s cultural and economic impact,” said Natalie Xenita, Vice President-Managing Director of IMG Fashion Events and Properties, Asia-Pacific. “It’s our privilege to come together in celebration of their accomplishments and leadership in the company of our esteemed peers.”
IMG is pleased to share the complete list of winners across 2023 award categories:
Designer of the Year, presented by SOHO House
- Christopher Esber
Emerging Designer of the Year, presented by BYHEALTH
- Alix Higgins
Indigenous Designer of the Year
- Denni Francisco, Ngali
Sustainable Designer of the Year, presented by The Volte
Carla Zampatti Award for Excellence in Leadership
- Lisa Havilah
Australian Fashion Laureate for Lifetime Achievement
- Rodney Levis
Winners were determined by a panel of over 30 industry leaders comprised of the Australian Fashion Laureate Lifetime Achievement recipients, leading fashion journalists, creatives, and top business and retail executives.
The Australian Fashion Laureate is an IMG event proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW.
Minister for the Arts and Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said: “I join IMG in congratulating the winners of this year’s Australian Fashion Laureate. Sydney is an innovative hub for the creative industries, but we want to make fashion a bigger part of our state’s cultural story. Events like Australian Fashion Laureate showcase the NSW cultural tapestry and I thank IMG for their support of the fashion industry.”
In addition to Destination NSW, the Australian Fashion Laureate is made possible through the support of BYHEALTH, David Jones, Mumm Tasmania, San Pellegrino, SOHO House, St. Hugo, The Volte, and Dinosaur Designs, who generously donate the Australian Fashion Laureate statuettes.
Through their sponsorship of the Australian Fashion Laureate, Soho House will provide the Designer of the Year with one ‘Cities Without Houses’ Membership and access to any Soho House venue for publicity or showroom purposes. The Emerging Designer of the Year, Indigenous Designer of the Year and Sustainable Designer of the Year will each receive a Soho House Fellowship membership.
The digital home for the Australian Fashion Laureate is www.australianfashionlaureate.com and @ausfashionweek across Instagram and Facebook and @ausfw on Twitter, where fans may follow along through official hashtag, #AustralianFashionLaureate.