What is fashion but a certain style that is prevalent in a society and is followed by masses with extreme impulse? While Australia is seasonally opposite from the rest of the world and has unique geography leading to the fact that it is 20 hours away by plane from the major fashion capitals of the world; the fact makes it quite challenging for local designers to keep up with the global fashion trends, still Australia manages to not only stay unique locally but is a home to top international designers such as Lisa ho, Wayne Cooper, Easton Pearson and Nicola Finetti.

Australian fashion industry is influenced heavily by its past, the Aboriginal people, immigrants and the British colonization of Australia. Let’s look at how the Australian fashion evolved over an era.

Egyptian Cotton and Chinese and Japanese Silk:

Chinese Australians in the late 1800’s brought Chinese silk shawls and Chinese silk coats impacting modern choice of cloth majorly. In the 1920’s and 1930’s women wore silk and embroidered coats and overblouses of georgette or velvet in particular. The evidences can be traced easily in the modern Australian choice of material. Furthermore, Japanese silks have also been used in the recent designs. In 2002, Isogawa created a shawl from silk and velvet to recreate an effect of the past.

Coats:

The cut and style of modern Australian coats can be traced from the Chinese and Egyptian surcoats from 1920s.

Trousers and jackets:

Trousers were worn by aviatrix of the 1930s and they made their way to the modern Australian fashion. Designers in 1960’s started cutting trousers.

Frocks and miniskirts:

Australian fashion owes heavily to the cut of the frock that is influenced by the mini skirt worn by Jean Shrimpton, an English model in 1960s.

Sarongs, Saris and skirts:

Indonesian and Indian clothing made its way to Australia in 1900s and 1950s. Designers adopted the style and included it in their collection during 1970s.

Hats:

Cabbage palm hats were worn with the plaiting done by the local Aboriginal groups.

Australian Fashion week:

Australian fashion week showcases the work from top designers such as Tina Kalvis and Claud Maus. Top models and international celebrities participate in this event. Australian fashion week is simply right around the corner. International media covers the event and international buyers from around the world participate in it. At times, it is accused of being out of sync with the global fashion, still it continues to aspire millions of upcoming designers and fashonistas around the globe.

The internet has connected Australian fashion industry to the world perfectly in such a way that now people from all over the world can enjoy fashion events as if they are a part of it. Fashion is a passion least understood by many but followed blindly by millions which is justifiable too as the fashion is a style that must be followed to look chic, classy and fab and to be liked, recognized and admired.