Legendary New York fashion designer Nicole Miller is visiting Australia for the first time, as the Honorary Headline Designer for visionary new ‘Fashion for Impact’ platform and event series, My Charity Runway.
On 28 August, My Charity Runway will hold its inaugural runway event, celebrating a curated selection of emerging female Australian designers and the causes each designer is passionate about, often due to a meaningful personal connection.
Nicole Miller will showcase pieces from her ‘living archive’ and preview never-before-seen designs from an upcoming collection. Nicole Miller’s designs have been worn by countless A-listers such as Beyoncé, Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry and Cyndi Lauper.
My Charity Runway’s 28 August event will be held at the iconic Doltone House Heritage Wharf on Sydney harbour. Limited tickets are available via mycharityrunway.com.au.
With international models, designers and VIP guests flying in from around the world, My Charity Runway aims to deliver the excitement and glamour of Paris and Milan runway events to Sydney audiences, making traditionally invite-only experiences accessible to the wider public.
A living legend and modern day fashion icon, famous for popularising the ‘little black dress’ in the ’90s, Nicole Miller (74) shows no signs of slowing down. This year she headlined New York’s Fashion Forward Week with an AI Virtual Fitting Room, and she has plans to do the Sydney Harbour Bridge’s ‘Bridge Climb’ and participate in the Sydney Mini Marathon when she arrives on our shores.
“Fashion has always been about creativity, optimism, and bringing people together. That’s why I’m excited to be part of My Charity Runway – it’s a celebration of great design with a purpose, and that’s something I believe the industry needs more of,” says Nicole, founder of the Nicole Miller brand which generates up to $650 million revenue per year in global sales.
My Charity Runway is the brainchild of fundraiser and fashion advocate Sarah Quinn, who has led teams raising over $380 million for Australian charities, and recently through fashion initiatives. Her vision is to create a new form of ethical fashion – one that connects fashion lovers and designers to meaningful causes and hardworking charities.
“Fashion is part of almost everyone’s daily life. But its ability to command attention, start conversations and create visibility for important social issues is underused. Australia ranked eighth among more than 140 countries in the 2024 World Giving Index, but wanting to do good does not always mean we take action. We need to feel connected, inspired and included. My Charity Runway brings fashion and giving together in a way that creates value for everyone involved,” says Sarah Quinn.
Every item sold through the My Charity Runway Shop from the designers’ showcased collections will generate a 15% donation to their chosen charity.
Adding further meaning, some designs also carry the cause directly into the collection. Styled Collective’s three couture pieces for Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre trace a journey from the darkness of domestic violence to resilience, strength and survival. For The DANII Foundation, Just Audrey explores the experience of living with Type 1 diabetes through designs that discreetly accommodate insulin pumps.
Despite being emerging, the My Charity Runway designers have collected an impressive array of experience and recognition – from appearances at New York Fashion Week (legally blind designer Julie Jaise of House of Jaise), to a feature in British Vogue (Angelique Sloss of Oh So Troppy) and on the Carla Zampatti runway at Australian Fashion Week (Yael Star of footwear brand Edward Meller).
These designers and the inaugural runway event represent a first step for the platform.
“The aim of My Charity Runway is to create connections and opportunities that continue well beyond the runway, first in Australia and then globally. Long term, I want the My Charity Runway Shop to evolve into a retail platform, both online and through department stores such as David Jones, giving purpose-led Australian designers greater visibility. I want My Charity Runway to create ongoing opportunities for designers, charities, students and brands, taking Australian talent to the global stage,” says Sarah Quinn.
Designers, charities and potential partners who are inspired to be part of the My Charity Runway platform and future events can apply via mycharityrunway.com.au.
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