The mainly in-person Resort 2022 edition of Afterpay Australian Fashion Week (AAFW), held in Sydney, wraps up its five-day run on Friday, with 48 brands having shown collections throughout the event.

Highlights among industry show-goers included Romance Was Born’s return to the AAFW schedule, for the first time since 2018, as well as the conceptual fashion of Jordan Dalah and the First Nations Fashion + Design (FNFD) show, which Parlour X boutique founder, Eva Galambos, described as “phenomenal”.

“It evoked the most comprehensive reaction in me that I could ever imagine. It tantalised every sense and I found it incredibly emotional and powerful,” she said.

Bridget Veals, general manager for womenswear, footwear and accessories at department store chain, David Jones, also nominated the Ginger & Smart and Bondi Born shows as personal highlights, alongside the presentation for menswear brand, Commas, which was held at Tamarama Beach.

“More men’s fashion needs to be exposed in Australia,” she said. “We don’t have a men’s fashion week, so Commas are doing a great job of putting men on the catwalk, or on the sand as it was!”