Vogue Australia launches inaugural Forces of Fashion and Summer Ball in Sydney
Vogue Australia brought together leading Australian and international names across fashion, film and culture for a day-to-night program at the Sydney Opera House.
The announcement:
Vogue Australia hosted its inaugural Vogue Forces of Fashion and Vogue Summer Ball in Sydney on Friday, February 13. A day-to-night program unveiled the trailblazing forces of 2026 in fashion and culture.
A line-up of Australian and international speakers took to the stage for Vogue Forces of Fashion, presented with the Sydney Opera House: Vogue Australia editor-in-chief Christine Centenera, beauty entrepreneur Hailey Bieber, Australian actors Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi, Sarah Snook, Joel Edgerton and Phoebe Tonkin, renowned model and entrepreneur Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, multi-Oscar-winning designer Catherine Martin, musician Rita Ora, filmmaker Taika Waititi, photographer Lachlan Bailey, emerging model Tatyana Perry, acclaimed Australian designer Nicky Zimmermann and Paspaley creative director Christine Salter. They were joined by Vogue Australia editorial director and publisher Edwina McCann, with a special opening from one of Australia’s most respected filmmakers, Baz Luhrmann.
Christine Centenera said: “The inaugural Sydney Vogue Forces of Fashion 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. I couldn’t have been more pleased to join this incredible line-up on stage. 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.”
Edwina McCann said: “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. With thanks to our major partner Paspaley, and Belvedere Vodka, Dyson and Mastercard, the event gave audiences unrivalled access to leading minds in fashion and culture and affirmed Sydney’s standing as a hub of creative excellence.”
Forces of Fashion is a global conversation series launched by Condé Nast global chief content officer Anna Wintour in 2017, bringing together the most influential voices defining fashion and culture today. The half-day summit at the Sydney Opera House explored global forces shaping fashion with an Australian lens. The in-conversations were themed ‘The Art of Collaboration’ in fashion, film, music and art.
The Summer Ball, an exclusive harbourside party to officially launch Vogue Australia’s February issue featuring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, was a celebration of the summit and a showcase of the best of the country through music, food and drink, art, design and more. Catherine Martin designed the evening with Vogue, bringing her brilliant vision to the event. Rita Ora performed three Australian classics by Kylie Minogue, INXS and Gotye, and award-winning chef Danielle Alvarez created the evening’s menu.
Vogue Forces of Fashion and Summer Ball were supported by Vogue Australia’s major partner Paspaley, Australia’s most prestigious luxury brand and the world’s leading producer of Australian South Sea Pearls, along with supporting partners Belvedere Vodka, Dyson and Mastercard.
Source: News Corp Australia
