Western Australia’s largest fashion festival kicks off in Perth today, presenting a powerhouse of local and international models and designers. 

Tourism Minister Liz Constable said the six-day event included a new venue - Fashion Paramount, 53 fashion events and Foxtel’s Fashion TV, which was secured through Eventscorp funding..

“The festival is entering its second decade establishing itself as WA’s premier fashion event,” Dr Constable said.

“Last year, the festival increased its attendance levels by 50 per cent compared to 2007.”

Held in the City of Perth, the festival will create a vibrant and culturally-diverse hub from which spectators can experience the glamour of the fashion world. 

“The festival will help raise the profile of Perth’s fashion and retail sector and this year there is a strong focus on this State with more than 130 WA designers and student designers on show,” Dr Constable said.

“Our home-grown fashion talent will be showcasing their collections to thousands of visitors, including many from interstate and overseas.”

Culture and the Arts Minister John Day said State Government support for the Perth Fashion Festival was important as it provided invaluable opportunities for WA’s vibrant and growing fashion industry.

“The opportunities are wide-reaching for the fashion industry and includes not only established and emerging designers but also fashion retailers, models, hairdressers, make-up artists, stylists and many more,” Mr Day said.

The State Government supports the Perth Fashion Festival through Eventscorp’s

Arts and Cultural Event  (ACE) Scheme, a scheme designed to assist in developing arts and cultural events in WA, and through funding provided by the Department of Culture and the Arts.

Dr Constable said that as a direct result of ACE scheme funding, the festival had secured Foxtel’s Fashion TV, the second most watched channel outside of the home, aired in 20,700 pubs, clubs and public venues across Australia, and 6,400 venues in New Zealand.

Other events funded through the ACE scheme included Sculpture by the Sea Cottesloe, FotoFreo, the Revelation Film Festival and the Fremantle Street Arts Festival.

More information on designer fashion can be found at http://www.dca.wa.gov.au/programs/artform/fashion or phone 9224 7300.

Office of the Minister for Tourism - 9222 9699

Office of the Minister for Culture and the Arts - 9213 6600