Established by IMG and the New South Wales Government in 2008, the Australian Fashion Laureate are Australian fashion’s highest accolades. The annual awards recognise and reward leadership and innovation in the Australian fashion industry across categories including Designer of the Year, Emerging Designer of the Year, Indigenous Designer of the Year, Sustainable Innovation of the Year, and People’s Choice. The Carla Zampatti Award for Excellence in Leadership, created in 2021 in tribute to the late fashion designer and businesswoman, celebrates an individual’s contributions to advancing the position of women in the Australian fashion industry. The industry’s pinnacle honour, the Australian Fashion Laureate Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrates persons who have, over time, made a significant contribution to the growth and development of the Australian fashion industry. 

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Finalists were determined by a panel of industry leaders comprised of Australian Fashion Laureate alumni, leading fashion journalists, stylists, communications professionals, and top retail executives.