The weather forecast said to expect rain. But on Wednesday morning, arriving at Aje’s resort 2026 show at the brand-new Barangaroo Pier Pavilion, a communal space overlooking the water, the sky was the bluest blue, dotted by the kind of perfectly imperfect white clouds that make you feel glad to be alive. That formed the formidable backdrop for Edwina Forest and Adrian Norris’s romantic-but-grounded take on Aussie style, which this season they said was inspired by the Normandy region in France and the Impressionists. “We often look to nature, and we were captivated by how they captured the mood and the light. So there’s a lot of transparency and opacity in the collection; a kind of fluidity with different shapes and blossoms blooming,” said Forest.
The lineup featured a cornucopia of different volumes and textures; “feather boas” made from chiffon petals, very ’80s balloon hems sprouting from strapless sequined party dresses, classic romantic ruffled gowns unexpectedly made from delicate broderie anglaise, and a swishy sunshine-yellow skirt trimmed with raffia fringe that made a delightful noise as the model walked past. These floaty silhouettes (and equally dreamy hand-painted prints) were grounded by lots and lots of denim—a dark wash tailored suit with gold buttons, acid wash long shorts and moto jackets, and even slingback pumps—and more structured gowns, like a mini shift dress in a postcard-inspired print. It was a diverse collection that still bore the brand’s essence.
“We’ve been doing this 17 years now—and we’ve been off track a few times because we try to do something else—but now we just do us and it feels good,” Forest explained. Awaiting guests on their seats was a sizable crystal, which the designers revealed they’d placed under the full moon a few nights before. It was impossible not to think that maybe the stones had something to do with the morning’s sunshine.
