AUSTRALIAN FASHION WEEK IN SYDNEY

Now in its 22nd year, the annual event pushed dates back several weeks to rebrand itself from a spring to resort showcase last year, resulting in a 75% increase in international buyer attendance over 2015, according to organizer IMG.

The company said it expected this year’s eight-day event, which ended Sunday with a weekend of ticketed consumer presentations of the week’s highlights, to have drawn a cumulative attendance of 30,000.

Among them were a contingent of 33 international delegates, including 23 buyers from New York, London, Paris, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Dubai. Airfares and accommodation were covered by the event.

More than 80 brands from Australia, New Zealand and China were showcased in 42 solo and group runway shows and a new IMG-operated Designer Suites; showroom located at the event’s central hub for five years, Redfern’s Carriage works.

Filled with primary colors, the collection featured oversized double-breasted blazers and trenchcoats, slouchy trousers, deconstructed knitwear, swimwear and Lee’s first men’s wear capsule collection, alongside his signature cocktail dresses with intricate surface treatments.