Toowoomba Fashion Festival

A runway redefining Australian fashion beyond capital cities
In the heart of regional Queensland, Toowoomba Fashion Festival has
emerged as one of the state’s most compelling fashion platforms — a
cultural hub of creativity and community, spotlighting the next
generation of Australian talent.

Set against the backdrop of Toowoomba’s iconic Empire Theatre, the
Toowoomba Fashion Festival (TFF) returned for its third year on March
21, powered by an extraordinary force of community spirit. Co-founded
by Creative Director Julz McBain, whose deep connection to the regional
city sparked its inception, the festival has evolved into a dynamic
network of innovative designers, talented South East Queensland
models, and dedicated volunteers — all given a platform to shine.
What began as a vision to showcase regional fashion and put
Toowoomba, on the map, has transformed into an industry-recognised
runway, creating tangible opportunities for designers within the region
and beyond.

The festival places a strong emphasis on elevating emerging talent at the
forefront of Australian fashion, while also championing local names
such as beloved womenswear label Orange Sherbet, Toowoomba’s
menswear boutique Kenny K, and Brisbane’s custom suiting brand
House of Falcone.

This year, the festival welcomed approximately 350 guests, supported
by a team of 60 volunteers and 22 models. Across the runway, 24
designer collections were showcased through more than 140 looks — a
testament to the scale and ambition of this growing regional event. The
festival also contributed an estimated $80,000 to the local tourism
economy, reinforcing its impact beyond the runway. It is undeniable that this regional city has become a force to be reckoned
with — celebrating creative talent from across the nation.
Among them is RMIT fashion designer Vanshika Bhatnagar, who
returned for her third year after first debuting her graduate collection at the festival’s inaugural event in 2024. Since then, she has formed a deep
connection with the vibrant Toowoomba scene, continuing to evolve her
distinctive design voice.

Known for her edgy, upcycled creations that consistently captivate
audiences, Bhatnagar brought a renewed sense of sparkle and attitude
to this year’s collection. An intricately hand-embellished gown opened
the festival, commanding the runway, before giving way to delicately
layered candy-pink pieces that introduced a softer, more romantic
dimension to her work.

But the envelope-pushing does not stop at the Emerging Designers
runway. Over the years, Toowoomba Fashion Festival has become a
champion of diversity and inclusivity — and this year was no exception.
A standout moment in the sold-out show came when 69-year-old model
Maibritt Dawson stepped onto the runway, revealing a remarkable sense
of confidence and presence in a made-to-measure brassiere set by
Brisbane designer Sunbird Lingerie.

A beloved figure within the TFF community, Dawson, described the
moment as a defining highlight of her modelling journey — one in
which she felt both empowered and celebrated. Her walk served as a
powerful reminder that age is no barrier to self-expression, nor to
pursuing one’s boldest ambitions, and that all women deserve to be
seen.

The festival’s continued growth is supported by a network of valued
media and creative partners, including Fashion Field Magazine, The
Know, The Chronicle, Minx Contemporary Hair Boutique, and Mind
Your Fashion, whose contributions help bring the vision of the festival
to life.

As TFF continues to evolve, its impact reaches far beyond the runway.
From its passionate, creative collective and dedication to platforming
Australian brands, to its celebration of inclusivity on and off the runway,
it is defining a space that is uniquely its own within Australian fashion.

In 2026, Toowoomba Fashion Festival was not simply showcasing
collections — it was claiming its place within the Australian fashion
landscape, proving that regional runway is here to stay.
Expressions of interest for the 2027 Toowoomba Fashion Festival are
now open.

By Melanie Canosa
Official Journalist and Head of PR, Toowoomba Fashion Festival
Photography by David Luxton
Head of Media, Toowoomba Fashion Festival