On a Tuesday in July, Nine Orchard s elevator doors opened into a fashion fairytale. Set in the hotel s sky-scraping greenhouse, trays of refreshing Wölffer Estate rosé and LALO Tequila margaritas welcomed welcomed guests. The Australian Fashion Foundation’s 16th Annual Summer Party was afoot. Hosted by Malcolm Carfrae, Laura Brown, and Julie Anne Quay, in partnership with the American Australian Association The Next Generation, the enchanting soirée served as a celebration for the non-profit that awards scholarships and internships to the next generation of Australian talent.
“When you live in Australia and want a career in fashion, it s so hard to get the right internships, make the right connections, and get the right kind of support because it s so geographically far," says Carfrae. "[Quay and I] decided that we would set up a network to support these young Australians.”
And what a network it is, a sea of guests flowing in and out of the sweeping French doors to the balcony and gazebo. A mix of models, socialites, and Australian fashion designers swirled about, including Beckett Fogg, Brian Atwood, Cynthia Rowley, and Gigi Burris. Previous AUSFF winners mingled about.
“A lot of Australians in New York—and especially in fashion—spend a lot of time trying to get to New York because that s where everything happens,” Brown said in between bopping to DJ Amrit s tunes. “I live in New York, and I m a proud Australian, but I want to give other Australians and people who want to come here a leg up and sense of community.”
Co-founded by Carfrae and Quay in 2009, AUSFF has led the way in mentoring passionate young Australians in the fashion and creative industries on a global scale by providing them with world-class, hands-on international experience to return home with globally recognized training and contacts. The foundation aims to expand and enrich the future of the Australian fashion industry abroad and in Australia.
“It s lovely to be able to foster our little Koala Kommunity. With two K s," says Brown. “Or Kangaroo Kommunity,” adds Carfrae.
