It's often described as a cutthroat world, but as First Nations designer Liandra Gaykamangu steadied herself to watch her garments be modelled at Australian Fashion Week in Sydney, she felt buoyed.
She was one of four emerging designers given the spotlight to showcase their work as part of the Next Gen award.
The prize, judged by fashion heavy hitters including Vogue China Editor Margaret Zhang and Australian designer Bianca Spender, is valued at over $100,000.
It's helped launch the careers of, now well-known labels, including Anna Quan, BEC + BRIDGE and sass & bide.
"This is really an opportunity for me to be able to be seen as an upcoming Australian designer," Ms Gaykamangu said.
Hailing from East Arnhem Land, the Yolngu woman and former Western Sydney school teacher launched her swimwear brand in 2018.
This year, her collection included ready-to-wear resort garments like dresses and pants which continue to follow the brand's mantra of "exhibit a slice of culture, that has been tens-of-thousands of years in the making".
"I've seen a real shift over the last couple of years with what the industry is focusing on," she said.
"And how they're looking to embrace inclusivity and diversity and all the multi-dimensional versions of what those words really encompass.
"I'm really looking forward to the brand being put in front of everybody here and saying, 'we're here and we're ready to be seen, heard and to be worn'."
The attention brought to new designers was not lost on the models.
West Arnhem Land teenager Cindy Rostron has grappled with a similar rise to stardom.
After being discovered at a remote fashion show in 2021, she was splashed onto Vogue's front cover just 12 months later.
She walked in nine shows at the 2023 Australian Fashion Week, including for Next Gen winner, Cameron Hill.
"It means a lot to me, and my people, and my family," Ms Rostron said.
While fashion week transformed the interior of Sydney's Carriageworks, the surrounding streets became a runway of their own with many posing for photographers and style bloggers.
"It's been so much fun," model Abigail O'Neill said.
Ms O'Neill and friend Stephanie Carta have been attending fashion week for decades, and say they're delighted to see the move towards inclusion and diversity.
"We're here for that. Because I'm 50 next year, I've got three grown-up children and a grandbaby," Ms O'Neill said.
"The range of diversity is no longer token," Ms Carta added, who attended her first fashion week in Sydney 20 years ago.
Sydney model Elliot Cowen is firmly supportive of the shift.
But just like fashion, he says there are some boundaries still to be pushed.
"I'm definitely seeing it in Sydney, which is great, but I think we can push it further."
