ALDO FALLAI / COURTESY OF ARMANI

THE FASHION NEWS cycle is something of a whirlwind. With countless new shows, collections, events, and recently, significant appointments, occurring each month, it can be hard to keep on top of what is going on.

That is why we have collated the must-know news right now, from retail to the runway, to be discovered ahead.

The Australian Fashion Foundation announces its 2023 AUSFF Scholarship Award winners

COURTESY OF SONNY PHOTOS AND MYLES KALUS

At Sydney’s Old Clare Hotel on December 18, the fashion industry came together to celebrate the next generation of local talent. The Australian Fashion Foundation (AUSFF) hosted their 15th Annual AUSFF Scholarship Awards, presented by the American Australian Associated and The Next Generation, with this year’s accolades going to fashion designer Alexander Enticknap, of the University of Technology Sydney, fashion designer Sean McCallum of RMIT,and creative director Blake Sutherland of The Whitehouse Institute of Design.

The winners were selected by a judging panel of Australian fashion industry leaders — including Camilla Freeman-Topper, co-founder of CAMILLA & MARC; Christopher Esber; BAZAAR Australia‘s Editor-in-Chief Jillian Davison; and fashion influencer Nicole Warne, among others.

In partnership with the AAA, the winners will each receive a USD$25,000 grant as well as an internship placement with a global fashion powerhouse in the US in 2024.

Armani inaugurates is new exibition, Aldo Fallai for Giorgio Armani, 1977 – 2021

In Milan, Armani has introduced a new, inaugural exhibition celebrating acclaimed photographer and longtime collaborator Aldo Fallai. Charting almost three decades of artistic dialogue between Giorgio Armani and Fallai, the exhibition explores the bounds and broad impact of the duo’s partnership, which dates back to the mid-1970s.

Curated by Giorgio Armani, Rosanna Armani and Leo Dell’Orco, the story unfolds over two floors and brings together around 250 images that shaped fashion and the collective artistic imagination.

“Working with Aldo allowed me from the very beginning to transform the vision I had in my mind into real images: to communicate that my clothes were not just made in a certain way with certain colours and materials, but that they represented a way of life. Because style, for me, is a total form of expression. Together, with a constant fluid and concrete dialogue, we created scenes of life, evoked atmospheres and sketched portraits full of character. Today, looking back at everything we did, I myself am struck by the power that these shots still emanate, and by Aldo’s great ability to capture the nuances of personality”, says Mr. Armani.

The exhibition makes a perfect pass time for those indulging in a European winter holiday, with The Aldo Fallai per Giorgio Armani, 1977-2021 exhibition open to the public from 5 December 2023 to 11 August 2024. Tickets are available here.

Réalisation Par pops up in Paddington

Fashion girlies, this is Réal. Paddington’s now temporarily home to the flirty and feminine brand, Réalisation Par, adored by It-girls worldwide. Sitting most on-brand in a chic terrace amongst the lush boutiques on William Street, Réalisation Sydney allows sartorialists to try on the designer’s signature silhouettes — hello, the gorgeous lemon-coloured Allegra! — as well as new releases in-person for the first time.

While Australian-born founders and former housemates Teale Talbot and Alexandra Spencer are now based respectively in London and Los Angeles, Réalisation Par more than lends itself to our effortless Australian summer. So, stock up on le sun-drenched essentials (you know, the cute ‘fits worthy of showing off over midday Aperols with the girls?) for the month of December. Limited quanities are available, so get in quick — and be prepared to line-up on weekends.

Seafolly celebrates start of summer with intimate seaside soirée

One of Australia’s favourite swimwear brands shared the summer love when it brought food and fashion together at the Vaucluse Yacht Club last Friday. Over a curated summer menu, which included local seasonal delicacies as well as obligatory focaccia, and refreshing spritzers crafted by Malfy Gin; Seafolly celebrated its latest collection, ‘Back to Paradise.’

Guests at the sparkling Watsons Bay soirée included campaign ambassador, model and Kic co-founder, Steph Claire Smith — who spoke about her modelling journey and personal relationship with the ’75 founded swimwear brand — Laura Henshaw; Cynthia Taylu; Alyce Tran; Sarah Bolt; among others. Not only did guests get to check out Seafolly’s latest European-inspired designs in bikinis, resort-wear and even picnic utensils (following an effervescent collaboration with Round House), but were able to monogram their very own their very own coastal chic clutch. ‘Back to Paradise’ is now available online and in-store.

Canada Goose opens first-ever Australian pop-up in Sydney

We may have just entered our hot Aussie summer, but Canada Goose is giving travellers embarking on chilly adventures these holidays a little winter styling inspiration. The Canadian brand, renowned for its expertly crafted (and stylish) extreme weather outerwear, has opened its first-ever pop-up at Westfield Sydney. Snow bunnies, outdoor enthusiasts and streetwear lovers alike will get to check out the designer’s year-round offering — from parkas to lightweight jackets; and many of its iconic silhouettes such as the Chilliwack Bomber, originally designed to outfit pilots in the Arctic. There’s also a limited collection with BAPE available to purchase, with unisex items featuring its iconic camo-inspired print.

The soft launch is just the beginning of Canada Goose’s retail expansion Down Under with permanent flagships in both Sydney and Melbourne (with anticipated cold room for max try-and-buy capabilities!) slated for early 2024. Prior to the pop-up, VIPs got to learn more about the brand, first established in Toronto in 1957, at an exclusive lunch at Chiswick Woollahra, with Gabby Kanizay, the youngest Australian female to ever climb the summit of Mount Everest, discussing the importance of perseverance, determination and ambition to reaching the peaks of one’s potential. 

A Louboutin Bar lands in Sydney

COURTESY OF LOUBOUTIN

Sydneysiders, it’s time to slip on those red-soles and make your way to the CBD because Christian Louboutin has launched another glittering pop-up in the city. After a sweet summer venture at Bondi Beach in February, the iconic shoemaker has launched an ambient bar inside David Jones’ Sydney flagship store.

Located on Level 7, the red-tinged Louboutin Bar will offer a curated menu inspired by the French Maison, including handcrafted cocktails, coffee and indulgent bar snacks. Break up your Christmas shopping with a relaxing drink and bit to eat — but get in quick, it’s only open until December 26!

Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair achieves record $4.4 million in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art & design sales

DYLAN BUCKEE

Last week, it was announced that the 17th annual Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) — which took place in mid-August — achieved a new record, reaching $4.4 million in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and design sales. This year’s fair included events such as Country To Couture and the National Indigenous Fashion Awards, during which the beloved Ikuntji Artists took home the Business Achievement Award.

Overall, DAAF 2023 hosted 78 Art Centres, who represented 1,600 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives. All revenue from DAAF is returned directly back to the centres and their respective communities. In addition to its record-breaking sales, DAAF injected a further $12 million into the Northern Territory economy.

Nagnata launches its first swim capsule

After years at the top of many activewear wishlists, Nagnata is finally (finally!) bringing its street-meets-sport aesthetic to the swimwear realm. With retro colourways, statement stitching and supportive, functional styles; the brand’s first ‘SWIM SURF SPORT’ capsule is sure to be a hit and marks a new era for the Australian label. Shop the drop here.

Rebecca Vallance launches jewellery range

Blushing brides and formal party lovers rejoice! One of Australia’s favourite event-wear designers, Rebecca Vallance (RV), has launched her first jewellery capsule collection with e-retailer Mytheresea. As an extension of their ongoing partnership, following Rebecca Vallance’s debut Bridal line in 2020, the jewellery collection was designed to complement — and elevate — RV’s effervescent bridal frocks and sophisticated suiting.

Meticulously crafted from premium plated brass, the range features intricately designed heart and bow motifs, RV’s now signature, to add an extra dose of romance to one’s look. It’s now available exclusively on Mytheresa’s website.

Kowtow touches down in Melbourne

Following the opening of two stores in New Zealand, Wellington-born brand Kowtow finally has a brick-and-mortar residence in Australia. Located across two floors in a a mid-Nineteenth Century commercial building on Fitzroy’s Gertrude Street, the label’s first Aussie flagship was designed using locally sourced, recycled timbers and natural fibres. Accordingly, the space is both inviting for visitors and kind to the environment, keeping in-line with Kowtow’s overarching ethos.

Melbourne was a natural choice for the labels’ first Australian outpost, with founder Gosia Piatek saying, “Choosing this area felt completely at home to us, already a thriving community of people with like-minded values based around sustainability and great design.” Visit the store and refresh your summer wardrobe at 195 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy.