Australian Fashion Week 2023: From showstoppers to blunders

Australian Fashion Week this year witnessed an uproarious mix of the exceptional and the problematic.

Daily Mail Australia reporter Ali Daher was in attendance and had his hawk eyes trained on every high and low, and boy, were there some sparks.

It was a significant letdown to see a lack of celebrity names in attendance.

Despite being in Australia, stars such as Margot Robbie, Mischa Barton, Rita Ora, Jason Derulo, and Nigella Lawson decided to skip the show.

Even Liam Hemsworth chose not to be there to support his girlfriend Gabriella Brooks during her runway debut. 

Daily Mail Australia reporter Ali Daher was in attendance and had his hawk eyes trained on every high and low, and boy, were there some sparks

WORST LOOKS:

Suzan Mutesi certainly managed to draw eyes with her assortment of controversial outfits, even going so far as to arrive at Fashion Week in a bathrobe.

Martha Kalifatidis also raised eyebrows with her less-than-stellar fashion choices, declining photo requests despite her questionable ensemble. 

Despite being in Australia, stars such as Rita Ora (pictured),  Margot Robbie, Mischa Barton, Jason Derulo and Nigella Lawson decided to skip the show. Pictured at VOGUE event in Sydney

TARDY RUNWAY:

A common trend at this year’s Fashion Week was a startling lack of punctuality.

Almost all shows ran late, forcing guests to endure wait times of over 40-50 minutes before they could feast their eyes on the designers’ runway showcases. 

WORST LOOK: Suzan Mutesi certainly managed to draw eyes with her assortment of controversial outfits, even going so far as to arrive at Fashion Week in a bathrobe

Martha Kalifatidis (pictured) also raised eyebrows with her less-than-stellar fashion choices, declining photo requests despite her questionable ensemble

BIGGEST PEST: 

The Biggest Nuisance Award fell into the lap of non-binary stylist Deni Todorovic.

Infamous pest Nasser Sultan had to move aside as Deni claimed to be ‘disinvited’ to Nadia Bartel’s Henne show, a show to which they were never invited.

Adding insult to injury, they were then bounced from the Thursday show and firmly informed that their presence was unwanted at future events. 

The Biggest Nuisance Award fell into the lap of non-binary stylist Deni Todorovic (pictured)

Infamous pest Nasser Sultan had to move aside as Deni claimed to be ‘disinvited’ to Nadia Bartel’s Henne show, a show to which they were never invited. (Deni pictured being removed)

FORGOTTEN CROWD: 

In the category of ‘Most Annoying Moment’, the Nicol & Ford show took the cake.

An entire crowd of expectant attendees and media personnel were left disappointed when security and organisers seemed to ‘forget’ to usher them in. 

COOLEST SHOWS:

However, it wasn’t all cringes and facepalms.

Designer Michael Lo Sordo’s show managed to be the epitome of cool, attracting an illustrious guest list including Nadia Bartel, Josh Heuston, Kate Waterhouse, Jordan and Zac Stenmark for his collection.

Meanwhile, Wackie Ju, the brainchild of Chinese fashion designer Jackie Wu, captured my personal anticipation with its transcendent approach to fashion.

In the category of ‘Most Annoying Moment’, the Nicol & Ford show took the cake. An entire crowd of expectant attendees and media personnel were left disappointed when security and organisers seemed to ‘forget’ to usher them in

Designer Michael Lo Sordo’s show managed to be the epitome of cool, attracting an illustrious guest list

Celebrities included Josh Heuston (pictured) and Nadia Bartel (right)

Wu’s label breathes life into poetic fashion and offers a creative universe that digs deeper than just aesthetics.

It’s a hybrid of fashion and art, serving as a physical expression of Wu’s personal, political, and sentimental experiences as a queer, trans migrant.

Among those spotted in the front row were singer Tom Jay Williams, stylist Donny Galella, and model Mimi Elashiry.

Meanwhile, Wackie Ju, the brainchild of Chinese fashion designer Jackie Wu, captured my personal anticipation with its transcendent approach to fashion

Among those spotted in the front row were Tom Jay Williams (left) and Mimi Elashiry (right)

Celebrated designer Mariam Seddiq also put on an incredible show, despite a lack of A-list talent in attendance. 

While stars such as Rita Ora, Kylie Minogue, and Kelly Rowland are fans of the brand, none were present to watch the runway show. 

Sunrise presenters Natalie Barr and David Koch were however seated front row next to presenter Mel Doyle. 

Celebrated designer Mariam Seddiq delivered an unforeseeable yet fabulous performance at her eponymous show. Pictured: Mel Doyle, Natalie Barr and David Koch

SPOTTED AT FASHION WEEK:

Never underestimate the determination of a reality star or a budding influencer hungry for fame.

A posse of uninvited wannabe influencers from Beauty and the Geek and Farmer Wants A Wife were spotted posing for impromptu photo ops at Carriageworks.

Clearly undeterred by their lack of formal invitations, these audacious interlopers were bent on seizing their moment in the spotlight.

A posse of uninvited wannabe influencers from Beauty and the Geek (pictured) and Farmer Wants A Wife were spotted posing for impromptu photo ops at Carriageworks

Former MAFS stars Carolina Santos and Olivia Frazer put on a brave facade at AAFW despite their less-than-stellar seating arrangement. Perched in the third row, the reality TV stars were overshadowed by MAFS favourites Tahnee Cook and Janelle Han, who sat front row at the Injury show

Meanwhile, former MAFS brides Olivia Frazer and Carolina Santos, were forced to put on brave faces as they were given less-than-stellar seats. 

Perched in the third row, the reality TV stars were overshadowed by front-row favourites Tahnee Cook and Janelle Han, who sat front row at the Injury show.

Earlier in the week, tennis bad boy Nick Kyrgios turned heads when he refused requests Costeen Hatzi for photos and instead asked a security guard to escort him and his girlfriend to a fashion show.

Earlier in the week, tennis bad boy Nick Kyrgios (left) turned heads when he refused requests for photos and instead asked a security guard to escort him and his girlfriend Costeen Hatzi (rifht) to a fashion show

FAUX VUITTON AND STOLEN SEATS:

Causing a stir of her own was a notorious Sydney influencer, boasting a whopping 1million followers.

Spotted brandishing a counterfeit Louis Vuitton handbag, she brazenly claimed it to be an authentic limited-edition piece.

But that’s not all. In a move as fake as her designer bag, this influencer was caught in the act of swiping a front-row seat reserved for a prestigious Vogue editor.

When questioned, she attempted to deflect blame by claiming the brand had double-booked the spot. 

NAILED IT:

Jamie Azzopardi, stylist to the stars, managed to stun spectators by showcasing a staggering 20 dresses throughout the week.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Jamie called on AAFW to better represent the LGBTQIA+ community.

He was also responsible for a number of head-turning looks on a bevvy of MAFS and Love Island stars. 

COMEBACK QUEENS:

Models Gemma Ward, Jessica Gomes, and Montana Cox were all warmly welcomed back on the runway.

They were seen owning the runway at the Cue, and We Wear Australian X Afterpay shows.

Imogen Anthony also made her return to the catwalk after almost a decade. 

Models Gemma Ward, Jessica Gomes, and Montana Cox were all warmly welcomed back on the runway

They were seen owning the runway at the Cue, and We Wear Australian X Afterpay shows

Imogen Anthony (pictured) also made her return to the catwalk after almost a decade in a design by MnQ during The Innovators: Fashion Design Studio

RISING STARS: 

Watch out for Jett Grundy, a young model signed to Chic Management, who made a significant impact by walking various shows.

Influencer Keenan Chapman, who, boasting over 60,000 followers, was a front-row fixture at numerous shows and special guest of IMG.

Watch out for Jett Grundy (pictured), a young model signed to Chic Management, who made a significant impact walking various shows this year

Influencer Keenan Chapman, who, boasting over 60,000 followers, was a front-row fixture at numerous shows and special guest of IMG. (Keenan pictured right with Jett, left)