IMG withdraws from Australian fashion week after nearly 20 years
- IMG has operated Australian fashion week for nearly 20 years before announcing its withdrawal.
- The event has been crucial in showcasing notable local designers to both national and international audiences.
- The withdrawal presents an opportunity for local businesses to take over and reshape the event.
The future of Australian fashion week is uncertain after IMG, a New York-based media company, announced its withdrawal from the event that it has run for almost two decades. Established in 1996, the event has significantly promoted Australian designers, becoming a staple in the fashion industry calendar each May. Natalie Xenita, IMG's fashion events director, praised the accomplishments made under its leadership. Local industry leaders, like Chelsea Bonner, see this as a chance for Australian operators to redefine and manage the event, emphasizing the need for local understanding of the fashion scene. Designer Jordan Gogos highlights the current uncertainty within the industry as a common theme globally, but remains optimistic about re-invention within local fashion.