The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) has announced a strategic relocation of AFC Australian Fashion Week (AFW) 2026 to the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA), effectively centering the nation’s premier trade event on Sydney’s iconic Circular Quay.
Scheduled for May 11–15, 2026, the move marks the event’s 30th anniversary and a shift toward a city-wide activation model. This reorganization comes as the domestic textile and apparel market is projected to reach $45.7 billion by 2034, propelled by a 4.66 per cent annual growth rate.
Direct trade and export integration
The 2026 program emphasizes a transition from consumer-facing spectacles to high-value wholesale opportunities. Building on the 2025 ‘Tradex’ initiatives, which provide GST and duty exemptions for exporters, the AFC is leveraging AFW to secure a larger share of the $7.2 billion annual export revenue. Positioning AFW at the MCA reflects the global outlook of our designers, states Marianne Perkovic, Executive Chair, AFC. The strategy specifically targets the Asia-Pacific and US markets, where demand for Australian ‘resort-wear’ and premium natural fibers remains robust.
Sustainability and first nations leadership
A core pillar of the 2026 event is the institutionalization of the National Clothing Product Stewardship Scheme, aiming for total sector circularity by 2030. With Australia generating over 200,000 tons of textile waste annually, AFW 2026 will serve as a launchpad for ‘Tex-Eco’ innovations and circular business models. Furthermore, a strengthened First Nations program, led by designer Grace Lillian Lee, will embed Indigenous storytelling into the commercial fabric of the week, ensuring cultural authentication aligns with global ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) expectations.
The Australian Fashion Council is the peak body for Australia's $27.2 billion fashion and textile industry, representing over 500,000 workers. It manages the AFC Fashion Events subsidiary to drive international trade and sustainable manufacturing. Recent initiatives include the FashTech Lab, which has successfully reduced garment sampling times from 12 weeks to just four.
