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Australia boasts some of the best fashion talent in the world. While we may have a smaller population than many of the major fashion players and exist many hours away from the style hub of Europe, our shores are home to a wealth of brands that have penetrated the fashion industry and even Hollywood.
Just take a look at designers like Dion Lee, Zimmermann and Christopher Esber, who have achieved resounding success across borders. From international runways at New York and Paris fashion weeks to dressing some of the biggest names like Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid, local brands have continued to hold their own in the global arena.
If you ask us, one of the qualities that make our brands so beloved is our collective consideration of lifestyle. Though the spectrum of aesthetics we have to offer is expansive and varied, function and purpose are never taken for granted.
Here, we have compiled our favourite Australian fashion designers to shop and support for all your wardrobe needs. Whether it’s an intricate gown or a breezy dress to throw on over your togs, we’ve got it all. From the global success stories to the emerging fashion labels getting lots of worthy hype, these are the brands doing it right.
Dion Lee
Founded in 2009, Dion Lee is one of the most notable Aussie fashion designers. Beginning with a collection at Australian Fashion Week, the label quickly took over the world and is now a staple of the international fashion month schedules and a go-to for celebrities from Dua Lipa and Anne Hathaway.
SIR
Created by friends Nikki Campbell and Sophie Coote, SIR has become one of the country’s most beloved local labels for ready-to-wear, swimwear, and even intimates, particularly during the warmer months when the brand’s fluid, feminine cuts and modern prints become a go-to for a seasonal wardrobe refresh.
Anna Quan
Effortlessly blending modern staples with a dash of opulence and fun, Anna Quan is a designer that can genuinely take you from the office to a night out. To be found in every Aussie woman’s wardrobe, the label began with the reimagining of the crisp, white shirt, and from there, designer Anna Hoang has built an empire off her approach to design that “sits at the intersection of minimalism and understated luxury,” as per Hoang—to which we have to agree.
Aje
With its structural silhouettes, ethereal embroidery and intricate attention to detail, Aje perfectly encapsulates and reflects the unique balance of coastal living. Founded by Adrian Norris and Edwina Forest, who both have backgrounds in the art and fashion world, the label’s striking designs are impossible to ignore and are a must-have for occasion dressing.
Oroton
Oroton could best be described as timeless Australian style. Founded in 1938 and originally a European textiles importer, Oroton has remained a leader in fashion, with its premium leather accessories and minimalist collections staying true to its timeless style.
Rachel Gilbert
For eveningwear and glamour, Rachel Gilbert remains one of the best Australian fashion designers in the game. Pieces are meticulously crafted, often with painstakingly detailed embellishment and flirtatious detail. This is statement dressing at its best.
Camilla And Marc
Siblings Camilla Freeman-Topper and Marc Freeman have created are a powerhouse team in the Australian fashion brand space. Starting their label in 2003, the Camilla and Marc evolution has been immense, but the brand has never lost its commitment to timeless, minimalist design. Their work in the ovarian cancer awareness space is also commendable – having lost their mother to the disease as children, the siblings began their campaign ‘Ovaries. Talk about them‘, pushing for an early detection test for one of the hardest cancers to detect.
Zimmermann
Founded in 1991, Zimmermann is easily one of the most successful Australian fashion brands in history. Sisters Nicky and Simone Zimmermann have continued to evolve their label, building on its original loyal following to create a brand that’s respected and loved worldwide. The brand’s resort collections are particularly adored – think the perfect capsule wardrobe for the Amalfi Coast, season after season.
Romance Was Born
Creative, innovative and always fun, Romance Was Born is one of those Australian fashion labels that creates investment pieces. Founders Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales are Australian fashion royalty, and continue to leave the style world breathless with their fusion of art and fashion.
St. Agni
One of the best Australian fashion designers for affordable, yet elevated style, St. Agni has always been in the business of refined details you’d usually expect from luxury labels, yet the brand remains accessible.
ESSE
A minimalist’s dream, ESSE is an emerging Australian fashion label committed to capsule wardrobes and timeless style. Each piece from new collections (called Editions) is designed to work back with previous releases, minimising overconsumption and promoting a sustainable wardrobe.
Christopher Esber
Easily one of the best Australian fashion designers for 2023, Christopher Esber is very much having a moment. The label’s sheer panelling, cut-out details and structured, architectural designs are at the forefront of modern fashion, and with style makers like Margot Robbie and Hailey Bieber wearing the designer’s wares, the sky is the limit.
Peony
With such a coastal culture in Australia, it makes sense that some of the best Australian fashion designers specialise in swimwear. Named after a flower that blooms at the beginning of summer, Peony is another of the Australian fashion labels committed to sustainable practices, crafting 100 per cent of its swimwear collections from recycled materials.
Posse
Inspired by vintage fashion, Posse modernises classic silhouettes from the past, redefining them for the future. A slow fashion label, the brand releases small collections and often restocks based on demand. Their summer releases are a favourite, featuring timeless, considered pieces perfect for long, warm evenings.
Hansen & Gretel
Self-described as “femininity with bite”, Hansen & Gretel is one of the best Australian fashion designers of recent years. Best-selling silhouettes are reworked season on season, and the label is less concerned with trends and more interested in crafting uncomplicated, flattering designs using quality fabrics.
Bec + Bridge
The Australian fashion set’s go-to label for party dressing, Bec + Bridge has consistently delivered stylish, cool-girl fashion season on season. Since its origins, the label has evolved to include swimwear, activewear and bridal – it’s often the first stop for bridesmaid dressing thanks to complementary designs that cater to varying body types.
Beare Park
Launching only a few years ago at Australian Fashion Week, Beare Park has been a modern success story in fashion. Since its beginnings, the label has become a favourite of those in-the-know, and continues to impress with its limited runs and carefully crafted tailoring. All garments are crafted across Sydney and Melbourne, with materials sourced from France, Italy and Japan..
Emma Mulholland On Holiday
Inspired by the kind of souvenirs you’d pick up in the 80s and 90s on vacation, Emma Mulholland On Holiday is joyous fashion at its best. Worn by the likes of Gigi Hadid and Camila Mendes, pieces are colourful, summery and will live on in your wardrobe.
Venroy
Venroy makes clothes to elevate everyday life through lighthearted escapism,” the Australian fashion label says on its website. Indeed, the brand continues to release wearable fashion that still feels elevated thanks to premium fabrics like organic cotton, silk, cashmere, and refined-yet-relaxed designs.
Viktoria & Woods
Founded in 2004, Viktoria & Woods remains a go-to label for wardrobe staples. The brand is known for its signature merino wool, a material that has been a core part of its designs since the beginning, and modern style that has a classic feel.
