The Australian Fashion Foundation Celebrated its 15th Year With a Poolside Party

Last night, Laura Brown and Malcolm Carfrae hosted the Australian Fashion Foundation’s 15th Annual Summer Party in collaboration with American Australian Association and The Next Generation Foundation (founded by Nick and Gabi Molnar). Sitting 18 stories above the busy streets of Soho, The Jimmy rooftop served as the perfect venue for a night of creativity and community. A cool breeze swept through the crowd as attendees admired the dramatic views of downtown Manhattan. Singer-songwriter Sofia D’Angelo provided the soundtrack as glasses of Wölffer rosé circulated.

The crowd was glittering and eccentric as the fashion industry itself. Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim of Oscar de la Renta and Monse were among the many designers who came out in support. Beckett Fogg, CEO and co-founder of AREA, chatted with performer CT Hedden. Designer Jonathan Cohen caught up with milliner Gigi Burris. The ever-stylish Athena Calderone stunned in a tartan corset by Zimmermann and low-rise jeans. Social staples from around the world—German model Charlott Cordes, Nigerian entrepreneur Igee Okafor, Tanzanian beauty queen Flaviana Matata, and American decorator Colin King among them— swapped tales of summer adventures. Australians, of course, took center stage. Restauranter Nick Stone, influencer Nicole Warne Shadbolt, diplomat Heather Ridout, and many others from “Down Under” exemplified the impact of the region on New York City.

Each year, the Australian Fashion Foundation (AUSFF ) awards two $20,000 USD scholarships and internships with top American brands to the next generation of Australian design and talent. Among the group were former winners of the AUSFF Scholarship, including Mikayla Tavener Hanks and Vlad Kanevsky: proof of the transformative power of the initiative.

The party buzzed with talk of Zimmermann’s reported billion-dollar acquisition by Advent International. The success of Nicky and Simone Zimmermann, who began their business selling dresses at Sydney’s Paddington Markets, epitomizes Australia’s mark on the global fashion industry.