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Sydney, Australia – The Australian Fashion Laureate Awards presented by Etihad Airways recently announced the winners of the its 10th edition at a ceremony hosted at The Cutaway, Barangaroo Reserve. Australian designer Dion Lee was awarded Australian fashion’s most prestigious award, the Australian Fashion Laureate, receiving two Business Class tickets within the Etihad Airways network, marking the first time a reward will be attached to the accolade. Get more updates on mim .
Additional winners at the Australian Fashion Laureate Awards included Zimmermann for Best Australian Womenswear and Jac + Jack for Best Australian Menswear. Harrolds won for Best Australian Retailer while Dinosaur Designs won for the inaugural Best Australian Accessories Designer. And P.E Nation took out The Etihad Airways Emerging Talent Award with the winners receiving two Business Class tickets from Australia to anywhere on Etihad Airways’ global network.
A respected icon in Australian fashion, Dion Lee is regarded by many as one of the most innovative talents in the fashion world. Of the award, he commented, “I feel so honoured and am so thankful to the Australian Fashion Industry for all of their support. After a particularly big year for the brand it’s very rewarding and humbling to receive such a prestigious award.”
RETROSPECTIVE COLLECTION RUNWAY SHOW FEATURING PAST WINNERS
The gala evening brought together a number of notables within the fashion industry, including model Gemma Ward, previous Laureate winners including Collette Dinnigan, Jenny Kee, Carla Zampatti, Akira Isogawa designers Camilla Freeman Topper and Marc Freeman and models Samantha Harris, Louise Van de Vorst, Jordan and Zac Stenmark. The evening was opened with the premiere of Margaret Zhang’s “There’s No Space Left In C# Minor,” a three-part short film she debuted via a sensory exposition of her musical process, through an immersive installation designed as a multimedia extension of the film.
Before the final award was announced, guests enjoyed a beautiful runway retrospective show featuring iconic archive pieces from past Laureate winners including Collette Dinnigan, Maticevski, Akira, Easton Pearson, Jenny Kee and Carla Zampatti.
Etihad Airways General Manager Australia and New Zealand, Sarah Built, said: “We’re committed to supporting emerging talent like P.E Nation. Tonight’s award, plus the additional support we’re able to provide, will ensure they have the tools they need to reach their full potential and enable them to engage in international opportunities that will have a much wider positive benefit for the Australian fashion industry. This is a great example of our commitment to strategic collaborative growth, forging strong and lasting partnerships on every level.”
The Australian Fashion Laureate celebrates professionals whose careers have promoted and advanced the Australian fashion industry internationally, and is truly a distinct honour as they are voted for by a panel of industry peers. Dion Lee joins the likes of previous Laureate winners including Toni Maticevski, Nancy Pilcher, Nicky and Simone Zimmermann of Zimmermann, Jenny Kee, Collette Dinnigan, Pamela Easton and Lydia Pearson of Easton Pearson, Carla Zampatti, Simon Lock and Akira Isogawa.
HARROLDS WINS FOR BEST RETAILER
DINOSAUR DESIGN WINS FOR BEST AUSTRALIAN ACCESSORIES
JAC & JACK WINS FOR BEST MENSWEAR
P.E. NATION WINS EMERGING TALENT AWARD
ZIMMERMANN WINS FOR BEST AUSTRALIAN WOMENSWEAR
