Vogue Australia has staged its inaugural Vogue Forces of Fashion summit and Summer Ball, drawing a sold-out crowd to the Sydney Opera House on 13 February.
The day-to-night program brought together Australian and international names across fashion, film, music and design. The event forms part of the global Forces of Fashion series launched by Condé Nast in 2017.
Presented with the Sydney Opera House, the half-day summit explored global forces shaping fashion through an Australian lens. The in-conversation sessions were themed ‘The Art of Collaboration’ and spanned fashion, film, music, and art.
Who spoke at Vogue Forces of Fashion?
The speaker line-up included Christine Centenera, editor-in-chief of Vogue Australia, beauty entrepreneur Hailey Bieber, actors Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi, Sarah Snook, Joel Edgerton and Phoebe Tonkin, and model and entrepreneur Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.
Joel Edgerton, Margot Robbie & Jacob Elordi. Source: Vogue Australia
They were joined by multi-Oscar-winning designer Catherine Martin, musician Rita Ora, filmmaker Taika Waititi, photographer Lachlan Bailey, model Tatyana Perry, designer Nicky Zimmermann and Paspaley creative director Christine Salter.
Edwina McCann, editorial director and publisher of Vogue Australia, also took part, with a special opening from filmmaker Baz Luhrmann.
Centenera said the Sydney event was conceived to “showcase the creatives shaping culture right now”.
“The power of Vogue brought together some of the biggest names in fashion, beauty and film, recognition of both our homegrown talent and Australia’s ability to attract the best to our shores,” she said.
“All these people have worked with Vogue Australia in different ways, and I know them to be true innovators who epitomise the spirit of Forces of Fashion.”
Hailey Bieber & Christine Centenera
McCann added: “Vogue Australia’s sold-out Forces of Fashion summit and Summer Ball celebration at the Sydney Opera House put Australia’s creative confidence on show.”
Summer Ball launches February issue
The evening Summer Ball served as the official launch of Vogue Australia’s February issue, featuring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi.
Catherine Martin collaborated with Vogue on the event design. Rita Ora performed three Australian classics by Kylie Minogue, INXS and Gotye, while chef Danielle Alvarez curated the menu.
Rita Ora & Taika Waititi
The event was supported by major partner Paspaley, alongside Belvedere Vodka, Dyson and Mastercard.
For media buyers and brand partners, the sold-out summit signals Vogue Australia’s intent to extend its influence beyond print and digital into premium live experiences, aligning global IP with local creative capital.
Top image: Christine Centenera, Phoebe Tonkin, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Lachlan Bailey