The Mercedes Benz Adelaide Fashion Festival returns this October with a bold program of runways, lunches, masterclasses and more, showcasing innovative South Australian design and style.
And this year, adored and internationally revered couture brand Paolo Sebastian will open Adelaide Fashion Festival for the first time in a spectacular collaboration with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra! Feast your eyes on the glimmering gowns of the Autumn/Winter 2018-19 couture collection, The Nutcracker, which was recently launched in Paris, while the ASO performs the well-loved Tchaikovsky score live on the runway.
The Paolo Sebastian showcase kickstarts the Adelaide Fashion Festival with a bang, setting the stage for the rest of the program running from October 17 to 21.
This year the schedule includes an expanded showcase of South Australian contemporary ready-to-wear designers, a bridal-focused couture runway, an ethical and sustainable fashion presentation bringing new life to vintage and ‘dead stock’, and TAFE SA designs joining the night program.
There will be several brands making their Adelaide Fashion Festival debut – and bringing new genres of apparel into the mix – including Ryderwear athleisure, menswear brands Romp Squad and Vacay Swimwear, Rogers Underwear, Atelier Milano, Georgy Collection, Harvey the Label and Mimi-Jane Millinery.
“AFF is always proud to introduce new designers and events to keep the festival fresh and representative of what’s happening in the industry right now,” AFF creative director Chris Kontos said. “Many of our favourite brands will also return to the runway, and we’ve still got some surprises in store
“This year Couture Culture will have a bridal focus which is super exciting and will show the true talent and vision of our local designers who are known for their bespoke work.
“And SLOW Saturday’s fashion show and lunch is a revelation. Vogue Australia have a dedicated sustainability editor showing how important this issue is, so we are proud to be leading the conversation about vintage and leftover stock, sustainability and ethical choices right here in Adelaide.”
Following its incredibly successful debut, Vogue Festival presented by Vogue Australia will return to Adelaide during AFF this year. Vogue Australia editor-in-chief Edwina McCann said Adelaide had demonstrated its commitment to the fashion, creative and retail industries.
“Adelaide is a city that continues to surprise and inspire in the fashion world – and the Vogue team has noticed more Adelaide-born brands, models and ideas grabbing global attention than ever before. We’re looking forward to our second Vogue Festival,” she said.
Check out the full program below, and get your tickets from adelaidefashionfestival.com.au!
WEDNESDAY 17 OCTOBER
• Masterclass with Alyce Tran of TDE 10am, Art Gallery of South Australia
Meet one half of the dynamite team behind luxury lifestyle brand TDE, Alyce Tran, and hear about how she transitioned from lawyer to fashion industry leader.
• Paolo Sebastian presented by Mercedes-Benz Adelaide & Unley 5.15pm (sold out), 6.45pm (sold out) and NEW 8pm, AFF Runway, Torrens Parade Ground
Paolo Sebastian will open the 2018 AFF with a collection inspired by the revered works of Russian composer Tchaikovsky, with a live score performed by the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.
THURSDAY 18 OCTOBER
• Vogue’s Kitchen with Edwina McCann 12pm (Sold out), Sean’s Kitchen
Hear from one of the country’s most influential voices in fashion, media and business, Vogue Australia editor-in-chief Edwina McCann.
• Couture Culture presented by Burnside Village 5.30pm, AFF Runway, Torrens Parade Ground
One of the most popular events of the Adelaide Fashion Festival schedule, Couture Culture is a spectacular showcase of intricate beading, effortlessly draped designs and exquisite details.
• SA Designer Showcase presented by Spendless Shoes 10am, AFF Runway, Torrens Parade Ground
An exciting blend of styles and aesthetics, the SA Designer Showcase will include ready to wear pieces, activewear, underwear, swimwear, resortwear and accessories all on one runway.
FRIDAY 19 OCTOBER
• Masterclass with Acler – 10am, Radford Auditorium, Art Gallery of SA
Go behind the scenes with design team Julia Ritorto and Kathryn Forth to understand their unique – but classic – approach to fashion. Acler represents the ‘contemporary cool-girl’ vibe at its best – how do these talented women consistently make clothes that women just want to wear?
• Vogue Festival – launch 12pm, Mall’s Balls outside David Jones
Kick off two days of fun retail activity with Vogue Australia editor-in-chief Edwina McCann before exploring Rundle Mall’s pop-up stalls and discovering in-store discounts, gifts and prizes throughout the mall and the city’s East End.
• TAFE SA showcase presented by Spendless Shoes 6pm, AFF Runway, Torrens Parade Ground
The next generation of Australian designers will storm the runway at AFF, bringing new energy and ideas to Adelaide-born apparel.
SATURDAY 20 OCTOBER
• Vogue Festival continues
• SLOW Saturday, 11:30am AFF Runway, Torrens Parade Ground
Join Adelaide and Australia’s leading change-makers in the realm of sustainable and ethical fashion and be empowered to be part of something BIG. Fashion presentation featuring sustainable fashion, vintage and pre-loved looks and reimagined ‘dead stock’ PLUS three course lunch in line with the ethical/sustainable movement, with food by Tasting Australia festival director Simon Bryant and wines by Wicks Estate.
SUNDAY 21 OCTOBER
• AFF: Kids Stay and Play Sunday From 11am, Jetty Rd, Glenelg
Hosted by City of Holdfast Bay and KIDDO Magazine, there will be plenty of fashion and activities to try and buy throughout the Glenelg foreshore precinct. AFF Fashion Features
• Mercedes-Benz Unley Long Lunch Friday 12 October, 12pm, King William Rd
The glamorous daytime event serves as a preview to the 2018 Adelaide Fashion Festival, allowing fashion lovers to peruse fresh looks, embrace the new season and get ‘AFF Ready’ by selecting on-trend outfits from local King William Road retailers to sport to the events.
• Fashion on Parade Sunday 14 October, from 11am, The Parade (Norwood)
This year, Fashion on Parade will showcase the latest in-season trends from local retailers in spectacular catwalk shows. An event for the whole family, featuring children’s activities, live music, fashion & design market stalls, plus styling and beauty tips.
More News
