Australian Fashion Week Embraces Models with a Fresh Sense of Maturity
Australian Fashion Week has seen a notable shift in runway casting, with older women becoming increasingly visible. This change marks a departure from other diversity measures, such as size, which have seen setbacks. The presence of mature models brings a fresh sense of maturity to the event’s runways.
Return of Familiar Faces and New Mature Models
Famous Australian supermodel Gemma Ward, who had not appeared on Australian runways for over a decade, opened the show for Melbourne designer Toni Maticevski. Ward’s return was a clear signal of the evolving casting choices for the week. Alongside Ward, many of Maticevski’s other models represented a new wave of maturity on the runways.
On the same day, former Victoria’s Secret angel Shanina Shaik walked for the heritage Australian fashion label Carla Zampatti. Shaik, who last walked at Australian Fashion Week in 2016, expressed enthusiasm about reconnecting with the Australian fashion scene. She described feeling “confident and feminine” in the outfits she wore during the presentation.
Experienced Models Highlight Industry Evolution
Kate Bell, a model in her 50s, also walked for Carla Zampatti. Bell has been modeling since before Shaik was born and has recently become a popular figure on the runway again. She noted that the industry’s perception of age has changed significantly since her early career, when models over 25 were often considered too old.
Ward began her career as a teenager and became the youngest model to appear on the cover of US Vogue. While teenage models were common in the past, the current trend favors featuring adults of all ages. This shift reflects a broader acceptance of age diversity in fashion, as seen internationally in recent shows by Chanel, Tom Ford, and others.
Designers and Models Embrace Age Diversity
Designer Toni Maticevski emphasized that casting models of all ages better reflects the diversity of his customers. Many of his models have worked with him for 15 to 20 years, and he personally invited them to participate in his show, which was his first in over a decade.
Models like Bell appreciate the industry’s evolving attitude toward age but believe there is still room for improvement. She highlighted the need for more mature models and criticized outdated industry labels such as “classics” or “timeless.” Instead, she advocates for recognition based on confidence, individuality, and self-authorship.
Australian Fashion Week’s inclusion of older models, whether intentional or not, signals a positive trend toward greater age diversity on the runway. For example, at the resort wear brand Commas’ presentation, a silver-haired man casually walked part of the runway before heading for a swim, illustrating the event’s relaxed and inclusive atmosphere.
