One of Australia’s most acclaimed fashion designers will feature at New Zealand Fashion Week in August.
Christopher Esber is one of a handful of Australian brands that will appear as part of The Front Row by THE ICONIC at NZFW 2026, marking the first time the internationally celebrated label has featured on a New Zealand runway. The presentation, taking place on Friday 21 August at Shed 10, reinforces THE ICONIC’s growing investment in New Zealand Fashion Week while giving local audiences access to some of the most sought-after names in Australian fashion.
Known for his refined tailoring, sculptural silhouettes and signature cut-outs, Esber has become one of Australia’s biggest fashion exports. After winning the inaugural Andam Grand Prize in Paris in 2024 and dressing everyone from Zendaya and Dua Lipa to Kendall Jenner, his arrival at NZFW is a significant moment for New Zealand fashion fans.
Joining Christopher Esber on the runway will be Australian brands BLANCA, Clea, One of Others and Cendre, alongside New Zealand favourites Paris Georgia and Deadly Ponies. THE ICONIC’s own labels AERE and mínima esenciales will also feature in the seasonal edit.
The show will introduce several brands to New Zealand audiences for the first time, with Christopher Esber, One of Others, BLANCA, Clea, The Tales and The Real Deal all making their runway debut at NZFW.
Unlike a traditional designer showcase, The Front Row has been designed with the customer in mind. Every look shown on the runway will be available to shop, reflecting THE ICONIC’s approach of bridging the gap between fashion inspiration and instant accessibility.
THE ICONIC has become one of the most influential fashion retailers in Australasia since launching in 2011, growing to stock more than 1,500 brands across fashion, beauty and lifestyle. Alongside major international labels, the retailer has also become an important platform for New Zealand designers, helping brands including Paris Georgia, Harris Tapper, Marle, Karen Walker, Yu Mei, Rodd & Gunn and Deadly Ponies reach customers across Australia and New Zealand.
“It’s wonderful to be back at New Zealand Fashion Week for the second year running, celebrating the creativity shaping fashion in Aotearoa” says THE ICONIC Chief Commercial and Sustainability Officer Gayle Burchell. “It’s an opportunity to showcase our inspiring assortment to highly engaged Kiwi customers while discovering local designers we can support to build their brands and grow with us.
“Our investment in a more seamless New Zealand customer experience is really resonating. Since rolling out overnight delivery across metropolitan areas last year, we’ve seen strong customer uptake contributing to healthy growth of our Kiwi customer base.”
Public tickets to The Front Row by THE ICONIC at New Zealand Fashion Week 2026 are on sale now.
