A Celebration of Regional Creativity
See all the photos from Toowoomba Fashion Festival 2025 - click here.
The Armitage Centre buzzed with excitement as the Toowoomba Fashion Festival returned for its second year, showcasing the vibrant creativity of regional designers, models, and artists. The festival, co-founded by Julz McBain and Christel Ryley, has quickly become a cornerstone event, celebrating local talent and fostering community engagement.
The day's festivities featured three distinct runway shows, each highlighting a unique facet of fashion: emerging designers, ready-to-wear collections, and evening wear. Notable designers such as Vanshika Bhatnagar, Kashaee, Proud Poppy, and House of Falcone presented their latest collections, captivating the audience with their innovative designs. Additionally, Fairholme College debuted two remarkable collections: the Indigenous Collection and the Red Red Rose, reflecting the institution's commitment to diversity and cultural appreciation.
Beyond the runway, the festival offered attendees a rich experience, including a VIP panel discussion on fashion and empowerment, followed by an exclusive after-party at Fitzy's. The event not only provided entertainment but also contributed to the local economy, with last year's festival generating approximately $50,000 in tourism revenue for Toowoomba. This year's event aimed to surpass that success, drawing fashion enthusiasts from across the region.
As a photographer for Tito Media, I had the privilege of capturing both the dynamic runway presentations and the candid moments behind the scenes. The energy backstage was palpable, with designers, models, and stylists collaborating to bring each vision to life. These behind-the-scenes glimpses offer a deeper appreciation for the dedication and passion that drive the fashion community.
For a visual journey through the Toowoomba Fashion Festival 2025, explore our comprehensive photo gallery, where the spirit of regional fashion and creativity is on full display.
The Fashion Show
The 2025 Toowoomba Fashion Festival featured three distinct runway shows, each highlighting a diverse array of designers. Here are the designers who showcased their collections in each segment:
Runway 1: Emerging Designers
- Vanshika Bhatnagar: A Melbourne-based designer blending cyberpunk aesthetics with innovative streetwear. Her collection, 181002, explores dystopian fashion through geometry, upcycling, and cutting techniques.
- Kashaee (Yahya Khashaee): A Toowoomba-based designer redefining sustainability through upcycled denim creations, transforming discarded garments into statement pieces.
- Nicole McNiven-Corr: A Queensland-based designer with a passion for couture, creating elegant, bespoke pieces for special occasions.
- Nadia Danchenkova: Creator of a collection featuring modern fabrics and daring silhouettes, aiming to redefine elements of Eastern European cultural heritage.
- Azadeh Salehian: An Iranian designer blending tradition with contemporary elegance, showcasing her work at the festival.
- Fluid The Label (Paula Duncan): A Brisbane-based designer presenting the Madeline evening wear collection, blending European elegance with luxurious silks and chiffon.
- Samragi The Label (Samragi Shrestha): Inspired by Nepal’s rich tailoring and intricate beading, creating one-of-a-kind pieces that blend tradition with modern elegance.
- Fairholme College: Students from Cherbourg and Kowanyama presenting the First Nations Collection, weaving stories of culture, resilience, and connection.
Runway 2: Day Wear
- Proud Poppy: A fashion brand dedicated to empowering women of all shapes and sizes with stylish, inclusive designs that celebrate diversity and self-expression.
- Pear and Square (Michelle Blair): A women’s fashion brand creating stylish, high-quality clothing for pear and square-shaped bodies, focusing on expert tailoring and natural fibres.
- Avathletica (Nicole McNiven-Corr): An athleisure brand inspired by movement and health, reimagining medical scrubs with bold colors and patterns for tweens to adults of all genders.
- Kelly Fraser: Showcasing custom bags with vibrant designs by local artists, redefining accessories as wearable art that celebrates individuality and Australian design.
- Fairholme College: Presenting the Red Red Rose Collection, a collaborative showcase by design students, blending individuality with cohesion.
Runway 3: After Five
- House of Falcone: Expanding from men’s to women’s tailoring, presenting a collection that redefines modern, tailored elegance for all.
- Latina Styles: Showcasing evening and resort wear collections that blend sophistication and versatility, featuring luxurious fabrics, bold prints, and timeless silhouettes.
- House of Jaise: Presenting luxury swimwear with vibrant, exclusive prints and flowing resort wraps, embodying beauty, confidence, and lightness.
These designers contributed to a vibrant and diverse showcase, highlighting both emerging talents and established brands in the Australian fashion scene.
