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On the heels of unveiling its first-ever brick-and-mortar retail presence in Sydney’s heritage The Strand building, Acler is taking a fresh stride into its next chapter. Rather than approaching with caution, the South Australian-based label stampeded its sartorial backyard with a milestone runway show at Australian Fashion Week, presented by Pandora.
Sporting gilded footwear like lamé-esque crinkle leather knee-high boots and pointed-toe mules, a new category for the formerly exclusive ready-to-wear label, the homegrown label cemented it is most comfortable on just that—home soil.
This might have been discerned on the penultimate runway of AFW’s second day, but this march is a feat 13 months in the making. Well, technically 10 years, given the runway marked an official decade in business. But fast-forward a Beyoncé styling placement later (the tied, off-the-shoulder Fyffe bodice, if you’re wondering), the brand is back where it all began: distilling fabrications and techniques to create sculptural silhouettes.
“Designing Resort 25 began over a year ago, in March 2023 where the initial designs commenced,” Acler’s founders and creative directors, Kathryn Forth and Julia Ritorto, explained to GRAZIA. Inspiration derived from the physical manifestations of sensory natural experiences: rippling waters, wind through sands, shattered crystals crushed with abandon and without method. (Perhaps by the former ‘Alien Superstar’ known to kick vintage crystal off the bar in her stilettos.)
“We share a hunger to be leaders in our craft,” the duo offered, touching on how the collection compounded new additions to the Acler vocabulary. Pleated ombre mini dresses were as voluminous as they were sweet, like a rainbow paddle pop in dress form. Like an Allen’s party mix, this collection was as uniquely Australian as it was confectionery. Deep mulberry tailored pieces, raspberry shift dresses and champagne party dresses were offset by classic taupe and light denim, ensuring that irrespective of the woman (or occasion), Acler is a wardrobe staple. As the brand themselves say: “Acler is fashion at its most defiant, and delightful, vivacious self.”
At its core, this collection was a love letter to the Acler customer. Ten years doesn’t pass overnight and this show was a testament to every individual who supported the brand, be it buying online when they were working out of the backroom of their house, or swanning around the city with Acler bags after buying something at their boutique. A repeat show staged immediately after the trade runway was a testament to this. By inviting their customers to preview the Resort ‘25 collection, the brand was given an opportunity to interact with those most loyal to it. A gesture of intimacy every stitch.
“It is an indomitable and ardent effort…and to see the result walk down the runway is truly magical.”
