IMG has revealed the 2019 Australian Fashion Laureate finalists, with winners to be announced Wednesday 23rd October in Sydney.

Established in 2008 by IMG and the NSW Government, the awards celebrate the work and creative talents of individuals who have made a signifiant contribution to Australia’s fashion industry, supporting its growth development and promotion on an international scale.

Touted as the pinnacle fashion industry honour, the titular ‘Australian Fashion Laureate’ award accompanies a host of industry-specific categories including awards for best womenswear, menswear, retail, accessories, emerging talent, model of the year and outstanding creative.

In 2019, the Laureate welcomes a new and timely category to its roster, namely the ‘Sustainable Innovation’ award, honouring brands that are successfully pioneering best practices, implementing long term strategic goals and/or demonstrating notable leadership in sustainability.

“With the introduction of the Sustainable Innovation award, we are celebrating the Australian industry’s growing dedication to lessening fashion’s impact on our environment,” shares Natalie Xenita, Executive Director of IMG’s fashion group in Australia.

“This award category complements our existing accolades, which not only celebrate Australia’s exceptional talent, but highlight the most noteworthy innovations shaping our industry and its future.”

Echoing Natalie’s sentiments NSW’s Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres added, “As the strategic sponsor of the Australian Fashion Laureate, the NSW Government is proud to support an industry that builds the profile and creative spirit of our city.”

He continued, “We know the global fashion community will have all eyes on Sydney to see who the 2019 innovators, leaders and change makers are when the awards are presented in October.”

Australian Fashion Laureate recipients are nominated and chosen by a voting panel of more than 30 industry leaders, including media, buyers, communications professionals, brand executives, creatives and designers.

Congratulations and good luck to all of this year’s finalists.

AUSTRALIAN FASHION LAUREATE

• BERNIE LESER
• LAURA BROWN
• MAGGIE TABBERER
• MALCOLM CARFRAE

BEST AUSTRALIAN WOMENSWEAR 

• BASSIKE
• BIANCA SPENDER
• CHRISTOPHER ESBER
• LEE MATHEWS

BEST AUSTRALIAN MENSWEAR 

• BLAIR ARCHIBALD
• CHRIS RAN LIN
• DOUBLE RAINBOUU
• EX INFINITAS

BEST AUSTRALIAN EMERGING TALENT

• ANNA QUAN
• JACINTA JAMES
• MATTEAU
• YOUSEF AKBAR

BEST AUSTRALIAN RETAILER

• BASSIKE
• INCU
• LEE MATHEWS
• LUCY FOLK

BEST AUSTRALIAN ACCESSORIES 

• BY NYE
• HOLLY RYAN
• SARAH AND SEBASTIAN
• RYAN STORER

MODEL OF THE YEAR

• CHARLEE FRASER
• DUCKIE THOT
• JULIA NOBIS
• ROBYN LAWLEY

OUTSTANDING CREATIVE

• CHRISTINE CENTENERA
• JILLIAN DAVISON
• NAOMI SMITH
• JANA POKORNY

SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION

• BASSIKE
• ELK
• KITX
• OUTLAND DENIM

For more information visit australianfashionlaureate.com // For a recap of last year’s event, click here.