An Aussie Takeover: New York’s Resort Week 2017 Goes Down Under

In the middle of the 20th century, a British invasion came to American shores by way of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. In 2017, the fashion world is welcoming a similar invasion with open arms: the Aussies. In recent years, Australian-based designers have taken the industry by storm, introducing fresh designs by brands such as Alice and Olivia, Ellery, Zimmermann and more. TheAustralian Fashion Chamberbrings its talent to American soil this year to participate in New York's Resort week from June 13-16.

Now in it's fifth year, this season will be the first time that the program has occurred in the United States—in years past, the Chamber has only elected to do shows in Paris. The shift has occurred primarily to follow up on the momentum created byMercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia, as well as an interest in pursuing more resort-focused fashion brands internationally. To celebrate this paramount event, six ready-to-wear and accessories designers have been invited to show pieces at the Australian Designers Abroad Showroom in SoHo. Get a peek at what these up-and-comers are bringing to the table and the runway:

Albus LumenThough deceptively similar to a certainHarry Pottercharacter, this brand's name actually means "white light" in Latin.…

AjeSince 2008, best friends and co-designers Edwina Robinson and Adrian Norris have worked tirelessly on creating what is now cult fashion insider favorite,Aje. Utilizing both masculine and feminine design elements, the team has successfully married the Australian coastal vibe with a sleek, more urban aesthetic. To maintain their devotion to sustainable practices, much of what Aje creates is painted, sewn and embellished by hand. Edwina states that their collection for resort,Awelyeintends to, "celebrate indigenous Australian art, working with Pwerle Gallery to use artwork from the archives of prolific artist, Minnie Pwerle. Awelye, the Anmatyerre tribal word for women’s ceremonies, explores Pwerle's iconic hand-painting, and transposes selected works into an avant-garde collection of evening-wear and elevated everyday essentials." If you didn't catch their latest collection at Resort Week, you can find many pieces online, or in one of their nine Australian boutiques.

Sarah & SebastianAustralian fashion appears to be taking the title when it comes to understated cool and minimalist, edgy style. As the only jewelry line invited to present their collection at Resort Week,Sarah & Sebastianare expected to bring their A-game. Each piece is designed and handmade in the Sydney-based company's studio, ensuring that each gold or silver piece is crafted to the highest quality. In addition to being created in Australia, all of the materials used are reclaimed or resourced, which means customers get a modern, guilt-free product. Sarah Gittoes, the brand's creative director (and the "Sarah" half of the eponymous label), says that, "ourTidalcollection [for Resort] is inspired by my love of diving; artistically interpreting my personal underwater experiences. I was also influenced by Australian artist Max Miller's method of conceptually documenting found specimens through a range of mediums." All that glitter isn't just for the girls, however. TheMCollectioncreated by the duo tailors unisex designs in sterling silver and gold to make sophisticated pieces anyone can feel comfortable wearing.

macgrawThey say that two heads are always better than one—sister design duo Tessa and Beth MacGraw are likely to agree. The team launched their eponymous label in 2012 to wide acclaim due to their focus on fabrics and feminine, detailed silhouttes. The brand was met with wide acclaim after their debut at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia with fans like Lorde, Karlie Kloss, and Coco Rocha copping the luxurious, but still playful, pieces. One of the thingsmacgrawis best known for is its innovation. This year, after work with designers such as Victoria Beckham, the team developed a type of lace made from merino wool. The result was a fabric that had the beauty of lace and the utility of wool, all while still maintaining a polished aesthetic. For Resort, the approach was a little different. “Thelove lettermacgraw girl is a preppy Brit girl…an English rose, youthful and elegant, though not defined by her heritage. There is an irreverence to her, a distinct sense of Australian humor…”, says Tessa MacGraw.