Iaphet Elli 
SYDNEY, 21 November 2018
– On the evening of 20 November at Sydney’s State Theatre, IMG revealed
the winners of the 2018 Australian Fashion Laureate Awards, honouring
individuals who have made significant contributions to the growth,
development and global promotion of the Australian fashion industry. The
Awards celebration was hosted by international supermodel, Georgia
Fowler, and celebrated comedian, Ash Williams, and also featured model
and guest presenter, Cheyenne Tozzi, and a special performance by
acclaimed musical artist, Robinson.
Celebrating outstanding
contribution across established categories – Lifetime Achievement,
Womenswear, Menswear, Retail, Emerging Designer, Accessories – the
Australian Fashion Laureate also revealed two new categories for 2018,
Model of the Year and Outstanding Editorial. Additionally, IMG
introduced a new special recognition as an accompaniment to
industry-voted awards: The International Impact Honouree. This honour
celebrates an individual championing and representing Australian fashion
and culture to audiences abroad.
IMG is pleased to share the 2018 Australian Fashion Laureate Award winners and special honouree below:
AUSTRALIAN FASHION LAUREATE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
EDWINA MCCANN
BEST AUSTRALIAN WOMENSWEAR
ROMANCE WAS BORN
BEST AUSTRALIAN MENSWEAR
SONG FOR THE MUTE
BEST AUSTRALIAN EMERGING DESIGNER
ALBUS LUMEN
BEST AUSTRALIAN RETAILER
ZIMMERMANN
BEST AUSTRALIAN ACCESSORIES DESIGNER
LUCY FOLK
MODEL OF THE YEAR
ADUT AKECH BIOR
OUTSTANDING EDITORIAL
GEORGES ANTONI
INTERNATIONAL IMPACT HONOUREE
RUSSELL JAMES
The Australian Fashion
Laureate was established in 2008 by IMG, with the support of the New
South Wales Government, to shine an international light on the
exceptional talent and creativity within the Australian fashion
industry. Australian Fashion Laureate Awards are nominated and voted on
by a panel of more than 30 industry leaders, including designers, media,
buyers, creatives, brand executives and communications professionals.
“The announcement of the
2018 Australian Fashion Laureate Awards signals the culmination of
another strong year for the Australian fashion industry and provides an
opportunity to reflect on and celebrate our collective achievements in
the company of esteemed peers,” said Natalie Xenita, Executive Director
of IMG Fashion Asia-Pacific. “The introduction of new award categories
and a special honouree allows our industry to both acknowledge and
promote the efforts and accomplishments of individuals who contribute to
this industry’s success, both locally and on the international stage.”
“Last night’s 2018
Australian Fashion Laureate celebration was an incredible success. We’re
proud to have gathered the industry’s best and brightest to celebrate
not only their accomplishments to date, but innovation ahead,” said NSW
Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall. “After ten years of
Australian Fashion Laureate celebrations, the NSW Government is
delighted to see Sydney further established as an essential destination
for the global fashion community.”
The Australian Fashion
Laureate is an IMG initiative, supported through a strategic partnership
with the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency,
Destination NSW, with additional support from Etihad Airways, DHL, Moet
& Chandon, Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour, Sanpellegrino and Jan
Logan.
The digital
home for The Australian Fashion Laureate is @FashionWeekAus across
Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Follow along through our official
hashtags: #AustralianFashionLaureate #ilovesydney
