The three weird and wonderful trends you’re about to see everywhere after day one of Australian Fashion Week
Australian Fashion Week has officially kicked off in Sydney, and the runway is already buzzing with drama, daring silhouettes, and that signature flair only Aussie designers can deliver.
Held from 12-16 May and presented by Shark Beauty, the annual fashion event is more than just a pretty catwalk – it’s a week-long celebration of creativity, culture, and the next big things in fashion.
Day one set the tone with a fearless embrace of skin, shine, and soft power.
With cult names like Aje, Carla Zampatti, Romance Was Born, and Iordanes Spyridon Gogos gracing the calendar, alongside buzzy new names like BOTEH and Buluuy Mirrii, the event blends heritage and innovation – old guard meets next-gen.
Last year, we saw the rise of red hosiery, stomach-baring tops, crochet patchworks and ultra-chunky boots.
Designers weren’t afraid to make a statement – and sometimes that meant showing off a whole lot of skin or sending models down the runway in undergarments as outerwear (Karla Špetić, we’re looking at you).
But if 2024 was all about shocks, 2025 is about shimmer, softness and subversion.
Here’s what you need to know about the trends dominating day one.
Australian Fashion Week has officially kicked off in Sydney, and the runway is already buzzing with drama, daring silhouettes, and that signature flair only Aussie designers can deliver
Maria Thattil, Miss Universe Australia 2020, turned heads in a crimson lace maxi dress with long sleeves and a high neck
1. Sheer domination: Less is officially more
You couldn’t turn a corner without catching a glimpse of mesh, tulle, or transparent silks.
The sheer trend – rooted in a kind of soft power sensuality – is arguably the biggest story of the week.
Inspired by the romantic minimalism of the early 2000s and brought into the now with modern tailoring and dazzling embellishments, it’s all about showing skin without giving it all away.
At Carla Zampatti, models floated down the runway in sheer aquamarine gowns and draped netting kissed with gold sequins.
One standout look was a barely-there fitted mesh dress adorned with shimmering gems, hugging every curve and worn over nothing but a skin-toned hipster brief.
It was glamour with a whisper, not a scream.
Influencers and celebrities weren’t shy either.
One standout look was a barely-there fitted mesh dress adorned with shimmering gems, hugging every curve and worn over nothing but a skin-toned hipster brief
Fitness mogul Tammy Hembrow donned a gothic black corset by Velani – completely sheer with delicate boning and satin bows – paired with a transparent skirt from Carla Zampatti
Fitness mogul Tammy Hembrow donned a gothic black corset by Velani – completely sheer with delicate boning and satin bows – paired with a transparent skirt from Carla Zampatti, subtly glimmering under the lights.
Maria Thattil, Miss Universe Australia 2020, turned heads in a crimson lace maxi dress with long sleeves and a high neck.
She also sported a scarlet bodysuit peeking out underneath, paired with a mini Bvlgari belt bag.
2. Kitten heels make a comeback – again
Forget towering stilettos, 2025 is the year of the elevated kitten heel.
Not only is it a nod to ’90s nostalgia, it’s also a practical dream come true: all the height, none of the pain.
First reintroduced by Miu Miu and Ferragamo in late 2023, the sleek low-heel is now fully cemented in our wardrobes – and on the runway.
The Innovators show featured models in a range of silhouettes, from dainty pointed toes to white leather platforms.
Forget towering stilettos, 2025 is the year of the elevated kitten heel
Photographer Karla Paniagua turned heads in chunky white platform versions, proving the trend works for both day and night
The Innovators show featured models in a range of silhouettes, from dainty pointed toes to white leather platforms
First reintroduced by Miu Miu and Ferragamo in late 2023, the sleek low-heel is now fully cemented in our wardrobes – and on the runway
In the crowd, silver bedazzled kitten heels sparkled beneath wide-leg trousers and power suits.
Photographer Karla Paniagua turned heads in chunky white platform versions, proving the trend works for both day and night.
They’re wearable, walkable, and wonderfully retro.
3. Yellow fever: Butter is better
Say hello to fashion’s happiest hue.
Butter yellow, a soft and sunny pastel, was everywhere on day one – from floaty dresses to tailored shorts suits.
Designers across the board leaned into the hue, reflecting a broader cultural shift that began in interior design in late 2024 and now spills into wardrobes.
The monochrome moment arrived in full force: one model strutted in a V-neck maxi dress with dramatic chest tassels, while another rocked an officewear-inspired combo of yellow mini shorts and cropped jackets.
Think Euro summer vibes… but make it Aussie winter.
It’s fresh, it’s flattering, and it proves that a little sunshine can go a long way.
Butter yellow, a soft and sunny pastel, was everywhere on day one – from floaty dresses to tailored shorts suits
The monochrome moment arrived in full force: one model strutted in a V-neck maxi dress with dramatic chest tassels, while another rocked an officewear-inspired combo of yellow mini shorts and cropped jackets
Designers across the board leaned into the hue, reflecting a broader cultural shift that began in interior design in late 2024 and now spills into wardrobes
A look back at the chaos of 2024
Fashion Week in 2024 was unafraid to get weird. From baby clothes-inspired bubble skirts (yes, diapers were mentioned) to undergarments worn as eveningwear, designers didn’t hold back.
Romance Was Born, Acler and Rory William Docherty embraced the bubble hem revival, while Karla Špetić stunned – and scandalised – with sheer slips and garter belts worn over full-length skirts.
At the FDS runway, EWOL brought the ocean to the runway, with dazzling coral-like embellishments and dramatic under-the-sea gowns worn by Hollywould Star and Imogen Anthony.
And who could forget the bondage-chic meets historical trauma collection from Katie-Louise and Lilian Nicol-Ford?
Referencing 1950s kink and witch hunts, the show was described as everything from ‘bold’ to ‘unsettling.’
Love it or hate it, you couldn’t look away.
A peculiar trend saw Karla Špetić drawing attention to undergarments
Designers seemed to hero racy, lacy looks that stunned on the runway but would turn heads and draw whispers on the street
The 1980s and early 2000s trend of bubble skirts has made a comeback – and it has dragged baby clothes back from the depths of everyone’s closets
What’s next?
With four days still to go, 2025’s Australian Fashion Week promises more avant-garde looks, more celebrity cameos, and more of the unexpected.
Whether you’re here for the sheers, the heels, or the high-gloss retro revival, one thing’s for sure: this isn’t just fashion – it’s a spectacle.
Stay tuned for more must-see moments and runway revelations from Sydney’s most stylish week of the year.
