A fresh face is emerging in Australia’s fashion scene, poised to shake things up with a much-needed space for independent designers. From May 8 to 10, 2025, the WINGS Fashion Festival will debut, becoming Sydney’s first independent runway event. Created by Alvi Chung, the creative director behind the renowned local brand Speed, and her partner Daniel Neeson, WINGS was born out of a passion to provide a platform for emerging designers through guerrilla-style fashion shows. Now, they’re bringing their innovative approach to an exciting new alternative fashion event.
The WINGS Fashion Festival is designed to stand apart from Sydney’s conventional fashion calendar. Its mission is to democratize the fashion space, offering an inclusive and dynamic platform for designers who typically don’t fit within the traditional, exclusive boundaries of Sydney’s fashion world. By using unconventional methods, Chung and Neeson aim to break through the constraints of the established fashion scene, creating a space that’s perfectly suited to emerging talent.
WINGS is driven by a creed of inclusivity, addressing the financial barriers often faced by creatives in Australia’s leading fashion event, Australian Fashion Week (which runs from May 12 to 16 this year). The festival takes a bold shift towards high-energy, concept-driven fashion. The grassroots foundation is reminiscent of the early days of London’s Kensington Markets and the Blitz Club, where designers like Australian-born Leigh Bowery began their careers. WINGS is here to carve through Sydney’s cultural stagnation.
“As we face economic challenges and a recession, I felt it was the right moment to create more opportunities for the creative community and emerging designers,” Chung shared with BAZAAR Australia. “I saw a gap in the market for platforms that truly supported these voices.”
What sets the WINGS Fashion Festival apart is its alternative approach to traditional runways. The event will combine fashion with various forms of art, rejecting commercialism in favor of a more immersive and multifaceted experience. Alongside the runway shows, attendees can expect artist installations, live music, and performance art, offering a truly sensory experience. “It’s a cultural shift,” say Neeson and Chung, emphasizing the dynamic, boundary-pushing features that create a richer, more holistic connection to both fashion and art. For WINGS, the vibe is all about energy, boldness, and creativity.
The inaugural WINGS Fashion Festival will showcase some of the most promising emerging designers in Australia. Among them is Melbourne-based label Catholic Guilt, founded by Ella Jackson. The label, known for its unique use of chainmail and precious stones, gained international attention when Julia Fox wore a custom Catholic Guilt gown to the 2024 NGV Gala, cementing the brand’s growing global following.
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