The festival, which started as the Launceston Fashion Festival, is now in its fourth year and will set the Hobart fashion scene on fire with ten runways in October.
The festival is managed by a volunteer board and is a celebration of Tasmanian owned, designed and produced fashion. It is an opportunity for established and emerging businesses to showcase their collections.
Festival president Tanya Ellis says the Tasmanian Fashion Festival places Tasmania alongside other Australian states that have long celebrated fashion through large-scale industry events.
“The support from the City of Hobart is instrumental in helping the festival grow into a nationally recognised event," she said.
“This funding allows us to highlight local designers, engage young creatives and deliver economic value to the city through increased tourism, media exposure and business participation."
Tasmanian Fashion Festival president Tanya Ellis.
Home grown opportunities
This year’s festival will be the largest ever held in the state and will create home grown job opportunities for young Tasmanians.
“The aim of the festival is to create opportunities for people in the fashion and associated industries, including hair and makeup artists, models, modelling agencies, photographers and videographers, allowing them to experience the fast pace of a large-scale fashion event right here, instead of having to travel interstate for the opportunity," Tanya said.
She is now looking for up to 25 models for this year’s runway, up from around 15 last year, and is hoping to attract models representing a diversity across size, age, ethnicity and religion.
“We would love to see people from all backgrounds and all walks of life at our casting,” she says.
"The models on our runways have to be diverse, because everyone is a consumer of fashion."
Fashion for the future
Sustainability in fashion remains a core focus for this year’s event.
“As fashion consumers, people are changing the way they shop,” says Tanya.
“There is a growing global focus on sustainability and the circular economy. More than ever, people are choosing to invest in quality over quantity and are seeking platforms and businesses that help prolong the life of garments.”
The 2025 Tasmanian Fashion Festival will provide plenty of opportunities to explore sustainable fashion choices.
Highlights will include a special exhibit from City Mission, celebrating 100 years of Op Shopping in Australia, the introduction of ‘Emerald’ - fashion’s newest sustainability platform – as well as this year’s charity partner, Dress for Success.
“These partnerships reflect our commitment to a more conscious fashion future,” says Tanya.
Labels showcased at this year’s festival will include The Spotted Quoll Studio, Vivi Al Ago, Ziolkowski evening and bridal couture, The Runway Wardrobe, Alla Fashion and emerging designers Gracie McCloud and Olivia Robertson.
And look out for the talented young designers from Wild Stich Studios.
City grants
The City of Hobart awarded the Tasmanian Fashion Festival a $20,000 grant to deliver a two-day promotion and celebration of local fashion, creativity and enterprise.
The grant was one of 34 community, creative and event grants, supporting a diverse range of projects that enrich the cultural and social fabric of the city.
A total of $257,482 was given to recipients spanning the arts, community development, and event sectors.
Our models
In red is Alix Dabrowski, an emerging Hobart model. Alix is wearing Ziolkowski evening and bridal couture.
In the burnt orange flowered dress with scarf is Chelsea Marsh, an experienced Launceston model. Chelsea is wearing Spotted Quoll Studio.
In black is Tanya Ellis, Tasmanian Fashion Festival president, wearing Vivi Al Ago & Ziolkowski evening and bridal couture.
In the suit is Caitlin Watson, an experienced Hobart model. Caitlin is wearing Vivi Al Ago.
In the black flowered dress is Elka Crossingham, an emerging model with Tasmanian agency EnVouge Modelling Academy. Elka is wearing Ziolkowski evening and bridal couture.
In blue is Nikkie, an experienced Hobart model. Nikkie is wearing Alla Fashion.
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