It’s award season and the Australian Fashion Laureate is celebrating those new and established in Australian fashion in 2021. This year, new categories have been introduced including the ‘Indigenous Designer of the Year’ and the ‘Carla Zampatti Award for Excellence in Leadership’. See the complete list of finalists ahead of the event on November 30th:

2021 Designer of the Year

‍Christopher Esber
Edwina Forest and Adrian Norris, Aje 
Sophie Holt, Oroton 
Anna Plunket and Luke Sales, Romance Was Born

Emerging Designer of the Year

‍Jordan Dalah
Jordan Gogos 
Richard Jarman, COMMAS 
Julie Shaw, MAARA Collective 

Sustainable Innovation of the Year

‍James Bartle, Outland Denim
Richard Jarman, COMMAS (above image)
Kit Willow, KITX
Mary Lou Ryan and Deborah Sams, bassike 

Indigenous Designer of the Year

‍Lillardia Briggs-Houston, Ngarru Miimi
Denni Francisco, Ngali 
Grace Lillian Lee 
Julie Shaw, MAARA Collective 

2021 People's Choice

‍The People’s Choice Award gives consumers the opportunity to vote for their favourite Australian Fashion Designers. Finalists will be selected by IMG and Afterpay and voted on by Australian Fashion Week and Afterpay Audiences.

Australian Fashion Laureate Lifetime Achievement

‍Winner announced on Tuesday 30th November 2021.

australianfashionlaureate.com