In a defining moment of the Australian Fashion Week calendar, The Frontier reimagined the runway as both platform and provocation, presenting a study in form, fabrication, and craft. The New Trend Buying Team attended to view an exclusive lineup of TNT designers, including Courtney Zheng, Paris Georgia, Wynn Hamlyn, and ESSE. Together, they delivered a unified yet distinct showcase of creative boundaries, technique, and innovation. Curated to reflect the breadth and depth of regional talent, The Frontier celebrated both emerging and established voices, highlighting the evolving narrative of independent design.

Courtney Zheng’s AFW debut, Le Corbusier, centres on brutalism as a departure from past Georgian and Victorian influences. The collection blends tactile fabrics like denim, satin, suede, and leather with industrial treatments – sandblasting, stonewashing, and acid treatments – for a bold, experimental approach. A standout piece is a trompe l’oeil dress, where a digitally transposed, deconstructed denim gown meets silk crepe. Designed with fluidity in mind, the collection explores identity beyond binaries, with strong-shouldered coats and skirts worn by Zheng’s muse, Sal, embodying this sense of fluid expression.

For Pre-Fall 2025, Paris Georgia draws inspiration from the bold, multidimensional women of Sex and the City, capturing their unapologetic confidence and effortless style. The collection mixes structural tailoring, double denim, and cocktail silhouettes, embodying a woman who defines trends. This season also marks a pivotal moment for the brand, with its move from Auckland to London – an exciting shift that marks the beginning of a new creative chapter. The Pre-Fall 2025 collection is the first to be sampled entirely in London, signaling the brand’s growth and a renewed global perspective while maintaining its core of confident femininity.

For Resort 2026, Wynn Hamlyn reimagines classic textiles like plaid and stripe with bold rouleau loops and intricate hand crochet, adding graphic depth to traditional designs. Buttons and structured knitwear play a significant role in redefining silhouettes, blending precision with playful experimentation. Celebrating the brand’s 10th anniversary, this collection reflects a decade of growth, innovation, and craftsmanship. Resort 2026 signals a confident new era for the brand, balancing bold innovation with enduring design, continuing to evolve and respond to the desires of its audience.

Edition No.13 from ESSE continues the brand’s signature dialogue between masculine and feminine, structure and ease. This exclusive preview features eight meticulously crafted looks, combining materials like brushed teddy, hammered leather, and silk georgette for an elegant interplay of textures. The collection embraces simplicity and purpose, designed for longevity and relevance beyond seasonal trends. With each piece thoughtfully crafted, Edition No.13 represents a wardrobe of modern artefacts – clothing that moves with clarity, ease, and intention, embodying ESSE’s ethos of enduring design.

A big congratulations to Courtney Zheng, Paris Georgia, Wynn Hamlyn, and ESSE on an incredible and successful show. Styles from these collections will be landing at The New Trend soon. Sign up to our newsletter to be the first to know.

PR: Catinella

Photography: @lucasdawsonphotography