Celebrating 25 years of Ekka fashion

The longest-running free fashion parades in Australia, the Natural Fibres Fashion Parades, return to the Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) next month, with the iconic event celebrating a special milestone.

This year marks the 25th year of the parades being directed by Lindsay Bennett and will see the most captivating spectacle yet, with a stunning retrospective opening sequence paying homage to some of the designers who have paraded at the Ekka during the quarter of a century.

“I am thrilled to continue my association with the Ekka, an event that celebrates Queensland’s talented local designers and high-quality natural fibres,” Mr Bennett said.

“Materials from the Sunshine State’s farms are presented in their most beautiful form, expertly spun into couture and ready-to-wear fashion.

“It’s fantastic to see local industries supported and promoted before such a significant audience at Queensland’s biggest annual event.”

Since they began, the parades have featured some of the most renowned fashion designers in Queensland and Australia, as well as the brightest emerging talents; promoting local design and natural fibres before a combined audience of around 750,000.

Celebrating this proud history, the Parades will feature a special retrospective segment to open each show.

Twelve of Queensland’s most sought-after and long-established designers have selected a favourite piece from their archives for a runway revival, including: Anthony Leigh Dower, Bora, Cotton Wool, Darb Couture, George Wu, Grbac, Keri Craig, Maiocchi, Paul Hunt, Pia du Pradal, Sacha Drake and Tengdahl.

RNA Chief Executive Brendan Christou said the fashion parades were not just the Ekka’s most glamourous event, but showcased the importance agriculture plays in the everyday lives of Queenslanders.

“These parades not only showcase the great natural fibres our state produces, but importantly educate the public on the diversity of the agricultural sector – from the clothes we wear to the food we eat, everything starts with agriculture.”

Audiences are in for an incredible show at the 2016 Natural Fibres Fashion Parades, with collections featuring fine-quality cotton, wool and other natural materials.

Designers include:, White Label Noba, Hunt + Kelly, Irma J Smith House of Fashion, Maiocchi, Tengdahl, Pia du Pradal, Darb Couture, George Wu, Paul Hunt, Sacha Drake and Louenhide; as well as students from TAFE Queensland Brisbane and QUT Fashion School. Hair will be styled by CorCorz with makeup by Napoleon Perdis.

The Natural Fibres Fashion Parades will be staged on the Mumm Entertainment and Fashion Stage, upper level, Royal International Convention Centre, Brisbane Showgrounds at 12.30pm, 1.30pm and 2.30pm daily during the Ekka (Friday 5 – Sunday 14 August).