By MARY MRAD FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 02:20 BST, 14 May 2025 | Updated: 02:20 BST, 14 May 2025

A stylist has blasted this year’s Australian Fashion Week for not being ‘creative or innovative’.

Sonali Fernando shared a video to TikTok on Tuesday, insisting this year’s event has been a disaster and the clothes have been ‘basic’.

She also claimed the event has been inaccessible to the general public.

‘Australian Fashion Week started yesterday and it is a disaster this year,’ she began the lengthy video.

‘The attendees are the same usual crowd you get in Sydney, the influencers wear off the rack which is not creative or innovative.’

Sonali, who is based in Perth, also said the show has been a ‘completely exclusive and inaccessible type of event.’

Sonali Fernando (pictured) has blasted this year's Australian Fashion Week for not being 'creative or innovative'

Sonali Fernando (pictured) has blasted this year’s Australian Fashion Week for not being ‘creative or innovative’

‘They have taken away previous areas of fashion that used to be public access,’ she claimed.

‘Particularly where we are at the moment, we are saying we are Australia and this is what we are doing and it’s embarrassing. 

‘We are showing them basic stuff and these are the people that represent Australia in fashion and they’re wearing basic s**t.’

Sonali also said the after parties are invite only but ‘fashion is for everyone’ and other members of the public should be able to attend.

‘This year is an absolute disaster of an event,’ she ended.

The stylist also shared a post to Instagram, calling out organisers for offering her a ticket just one day before the event.

‘The day of it starting, I got accepted/ invited. This was despite applying months ago. I’ve subsequently been invited to shows, however cannot attend because I am flying from Perth,’ she said.

‘For a fashion week that purports to refocus upon industry and provide opportunities to industry, this is pretty poor behaviour.’

Sonali, who is based in Perth, said the show has been a 'completely exclusive and inaccessible type of event.' Pictured Tammy Hembrow at AFW on Monday

Sonali, who is based in Perth, said the show has been a ‘completely exclusive and inaccessible type of event.’ Pictured Tammy Hembrow at AFW on Monday

Danish royal family Count Nikolai of Monpezat also made an appearance at the  Carla Zampatti show on Monday with his girlfriend Benedikte Thoustrup

Danish royal family Count Nikolai of Monpezat also made an appearance at the  Carla Zampatti show on Monday with his girlfriend Benedikte Thoustrup

Australian Fashion Week kicked off with the Carla Zampatti show on Monday.

Some of the notable names sitting in the front row at the opener this year included P.E Nation founder Pip Edwards and Sydney radio host Jackie ‘O’ Henderson, who were seen getting cosy as they posed for photos.

Fashion designer Michael Lo Sordo joined them in the A-list section. Pip also rubbed shoulders with model and member of the Danish royal family Count Nikolai of Monpezat.

Former Miss Universe Australia Maria Thattil sat with Costeen Hatzi, the ex-girlfriend of tennis player Nick Kyrgios.

Other stars spotted in the front row included Golden Bachelor host Sam Armytage, fitness influencer Tammy Hembrow, Cody Simpson’s younger sister Ali and Lucia Hawley, the niece of Nicole Kidman.

Prime spots also went to breakfast TV stalwarts Natalie Barr and Kylie Gillies, as well as model Bambi Northwood Blythe, the ex-wife of streetwear king Dan Single.

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TikTok star blasts Australian Fashion Week for being ‘inaccessible’ and lacking creativity: ‘It’s a disaster’

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