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By Jessica Bailey

AFW: A Coming Of Age As Third Form Makes Its Runway Debut At Australian Fashion Week

After almost a decade in operation, Third Form’s founder and director Merryn Kelly felt the time was right to stage her first big show

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MAY 15: A model walks the runway during the Third Form show during Australian Fashion Week Presented By Pandora 2024 at Carriageworks on May 15, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt Jelonek/WireImage)

The first look of any runway show sets the tone, a prelude to what audiences can expect. At Third Form’s Resort 2025 spectacle on May 15, this came packaged as a long denim trench—open, faded, its seams purposefully frayed.

“My favourite look is the denim trench layered over the satin gather panties. Both pieces are a symphony of experimentation and letting go of inhibitions,” says Third Form’s Merryn Kelly.

Letting go. It’s a concept many women struggle to grapple. Chalk it up to nearly a decade at the helm of her own label, or her experience at Zimmermann and Lee Jeans, or the fact she recently became a mother for the first time, Kelly felt this collection, aptly named Re-Form, was the one to herald her emancipation.

“The collection signifies a coming of age for the brand. Nine years on and making our debut feels right,” she says. “It takes time to hone your true identity and to also be confident in making designs for yourself and not take influence from outside opinions.

“I was ready to make this known and reform what we are as a label. [I was ready to] draw on our love for the craft and design process, and specialise in textures, fabrications, layers and opacities to evolve the Third Form signature.”

The scrunched panties were next seen under a peach-hued diaphanous sequinned gown, and then a floor-length cream satin dress with a waist-high split. Elsewhere, black cut-outs were aplenty: a mini with fringing, a translucent maxi. In a largely neutral palette, monochrome took centre stage by way of halter midis, crops with fringing, and a strapless top-and-short combo, the latter the true star of the Re-Form season. The brand’s renowned crushed satin range, ‘CRUSH’, was also reimagined into new, wearable silhouettes for summer. With full traceability from tree to fibre, the ‘CRUSH’ collection is made using Eastman NaiaTM cellulosic fibres that are certified biodegradable and compostable.

“More than ever this is a collection for the wearer, it comes to life when it is in the hand,” says Kelly. “A tactile experience, textured fabrics hero the collection and a predominantly natural colour palette allows them to remain in their natural fibre state.”

third-form-resort-25 — SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MAY 15: A model walks the runway during the Third Form re-FORM show during Australian Fashion Week Presented By Pandora 2024 at Carriageworks on May 15, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Hanna Lassen/Getty Images for Third Form)

“We release four collections a year and work on multiple at any given time,” she continues. “Although the Resort 2025 concept and design officially started six months ago, we have been working towards Reform for close to two years.

“The sample process was the longest we have had to date, some up to three samples to get to show pieces, going back and forth with pattern makers to perfect the pieces, whilst working in luxury detailing.”

Highly wearable and considered, if this is letting go, it’s time to lean in.

Below, some runway highlights: