Splash Paris, a prominent fashion trade show, has announced that it will debut in Sydney in May 2025, marking its first expansion outside of Paris. The event, originally planned as part of Australian Fashion Week, will now hold its inaugural exhibition next year, independently of IMG.
The news, revealed on Monday, was followed by the appointment of Mitch Harcourt as head of partners and sponsors for Splash Sydney. Harcourt, who previously served as the director of marketing and programming at IMG Fashion Events for Asia Pacific, has overseen Australian Fashion Week since 2019.
Jenny Nakkan, founding partner of Splash Sydney, confirmed that the show has already attracted significant interest, with more than 35 Australian and international brands eager to participate. The event’s capacity is expected to accommodate up to 70 brands. “We’re also on track to finalize our first 10 major brand partnerships—an incredible achievement this early on,” Nakkan said.
Splash Sydney is a collaboration between Splash Paris and Nakkan’s Elevate Wholesale Agency. Nakkan, who founded Elevate after a decade of experience as a wholesale sales representative for brands like Ksubi, Camilla, Rachel Gilbert, and Nike, sees the trade show as a vital opportunity for Australian designers.
Australia will be the first country to partner with Splash outside of Paris, where the event has grown steadily since its launch in 2016. Splash Paris hosts biannual trade shows showcasing resortwear collections to global buyers.
According to Splash Paris, over 70 Australian brands expressed interest in the 2024 Paris event. Claire Spencer-Churchill, co-founder of Splash Paris, emphasized the importance of trade shows in connecting designers with buyers. “Given the strong demand from Australian designers, Sydney is the perfect location for this exciting new chapter,” Spencer-Churchill said.
Nakkan believes the launch of Splash Sydney is a crucial step for the Australian fashion industry. “Australian designers are bursting with talent and deserve a platform in their own market to showcase their work on a global stage while achieving meaningful commercial success,” she said. “Splash Sydney will create a dynamic community that fosters long-term partnerships and drives growth for our industry. We’re confident this will set a new benchmark for Australian fashion.”
The inaugural Splash Sydney trade show promises to be a transformative event, offering new opportunities for both local and international brands to connect with buyers and elevate their presence in the global fashion market.
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