Melbourne Fashion Festival appoints Damien Woolnough as inaugural Creative Director

Melbourne Fashion Festival has appointed Damien Woolnough to the newly established role of Creative Director, effective early August.

Woolnough was most recently Fashion Editor for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. He has more than 25 years of experience covering designers, retailers, models and the wider fashion community across numerous titles and has appeared regularly on television and radio to discuss industry trends.

New role

The Creative Director role is new to the Festival's organisational structure. Woolnough will work with the Festival team on programming, marketing and event experience.

Launa Inman, Board Chairman of Melbourne Fashion Festival Ltd, said: "Melbourne Fashion Festival has held a place in Melbourne's major events calendar for more than 30 years. Damien Woolnough's appointment as Creative Director marks a bold first step in our evolving strategy, strengthening the Festival's creative voice, deepening its industry and consumer connection and reinforcing Melbourne's place as Australia's fashion capital."

Alexandra Smart, Interim CEO of Melbourne Fashion Festival Ltd, said: "The creation of the Creative Director role is a significant step for the Festival and a clear statement of ambition for its future. Damien Woolnough brings deep fashion credibility, cultural intelligence and a strong understanding of the Australian fashion landscape. We are delighted to welcome him back to Melbourne to take the creative helm of the Festival and help shape its next chapter as one of Melbourne's major cultural events."

Woolnough said: "I've always believed fashion is about more than clothes; it's about identity, culture and the stories we tell about ourselves. After more than 25 years reporting on Australian fashion, I'm excited to work with the Melbourne Fashion Festival team, our designers and industry partners to help write the next chapter of the Festival, building on its proud legacy as a major event that is ambitious, welcoming and creatively fearless."

Planning for the 2027 Melbourne Fashion Festival is already underway.

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