PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
As part of the National Designer Award x David Jones, supported by Australia Post, the People’s Choice Award opens the floor to public voting, allowing you - our Festival fans - to choose your favourite designer finalist.
Scroll down to learn more about each of the 10 designer finalists and cast your vote below.
Voting closes Tuesday 25 February.
PRESENTED BY:
SUPPORTED BY:
ALIX HIGGINS
Alix Higgins founded his brand accidentally in 2019 after returning from Paris. Experimenting with prints and poetry, he began creating scarves, which evolved into garments during lockdown. His brand thrives on creativity, upcycling, and local production, balancing commercial and artistic pursuits, driven by organic growth and independent, thoughtful innovation.
@alixhiggins
ALL IS A GENTLE SPRING
Founded by Isabelle Hellyer in 2018, All is a Gentle Spring creates heirloom-quality garments using heritage techniques and natural materials. Committed to preserving Australia’s textile industry, all pieces are made onshore with fair compensation. The brand blends couture history with sustainability, modeling a vibrant, ethical future for domestic manufacturing.
@allisagentlespring
AMY LAWRANCE
Naarm-based designer-maker, Amy Lawrance, combines centuries-old hand-sewing techniques with modern forms to create timeless, wearable artifacts. Using undyed silks and purposeful details, her minimal-waste designs celebrate slow craft. Each piece bridges tradition and innovation, aiming to be cherished for a lifetime while honoring the artistry of historic dressmaking.
@amychristinalawrance
BOTEH
Amelia Mather founded Boteh to craft thoughtful, values-driven designs inspired by tradition and sustainability. With years of industry experience and a deep commitment to mindful production, she collaborates closely with makers to create fluid silhouettes, vibrant colors, and timeless prints. Boteh embodies elevated ease, celebrating artistry, connection, and intentional design.
@boteh__
CHRISTOPHER HRYSANIDIS
Christopher Hrysanidis launched his eponymous label as a platform for personal expression, merging creative patternmaking, tailoring, and sustainable practices. Designed for modern professionals, the brand offers versatile, inclusive garments with a bold edge. Signature pieces, including tailored jackets and innovative designs, empower wearers to explore identity and embrace individuality through craftsmanship.
@christopherhrysanidis
Saskia Baur-Schmid founded Hyph-n with a bold vision: to challenge fast fashion’s disposability, prioritise sustainability and rewrite the aesthetics of sustainable fashion. By transforming deadstock materials into timeless, zero-waste designs, she proves that slow fashion can be both beautiful and purposeful. Saskia’s mission is to demonstrate how independent brands can lead responsibly, creating honour people and planet.
@_hyp_n
HYPH-N
JUDE
Jude, by designer Jude Ng, combines fine arts and a creative upbringing in Singapore to craft original, gender-fluid, and trans-seasonal designs. Ethically made in Melbourne, Jude emphasises artisanal craftsmanship, sustainability, and inclusivity, encouraging wearers to connect with their clothing and create personal narratives through timeless pieces.
@designbyjude
LIANDRA
Liandra is a ready-to-wear brand by Liandra Gaykamangu blending contemporary fashion with Indigenous Australian culture. Offering hand-drawn prints that tell rich stories, Liandra creates timeless, well-crafted pieces for sustainably-conscious, globally-minded women. The brand fosters social impact by supporting remote Indigenous communities, empowering economic independence and self-determination through thoughtful, meaningful fashion.
@official_liandra
LOVAAN
Anna Pipkorn, founder and creative director of Lovaan, draws inspiration from her grandmother’s timeless wardrobe. She created Lovaan to offer beautifully designed, quality-ready-to-wear pieces that evoke the charm of vintage finds. The brand fosters a community, offering unique treasures, rentals, and educational content for environmentally-conscious women seeking lasting style.
@lovaanstudios
MADRE NATURA
Jackie founded Madre Natura in 2021, driven by her passion for fashion and a commitment to sustainability. After witnessing the waste caused by fast fashion, she created a Sydney-based label focused on circularity, local manufacturing, and timeless luxury. Known for tailored denim and modern nostalgia, Madre Natura offers sustainable, investment-worthy pieces.
@themadrenatura