Shanina Shaik Elevates Style Trends at Australian Fashion Week
International model Shanina Shaik returned to the runway at Australian Fashion Week 2026 this week, walking for heritage brand Carla Zampatti in a show that demonstrated the label’s confident evolution from established Australian fashion institution toward a more contemporary and ageless aesthetic.
The presentation, set against the iconic backdrop of Sydney Harbour, marked a significant moment for Carla Zampatti, which continues its tradition as one of the few labels to have maintained a consistent presence throughout the entire history of Australian Fashion Week. The week itself marked the event’s 30th edition, celebrating three decades of fashion innovation and industry leadership.
Modernizing Established Glamor
Creative Director Tanya Emon Beattie’s latest collection for Carla Zampatti deliberately reinterprets the brand’s signature aesthetic for contemporary sensibilities. Rather than abandoning the polished tailoring and empowered femininity that have defined Carla Zampatti since its 1965 founding, Beattie evolved these elements for a modern audience.
The runway featured fluid satin separates paired with feather-trimmed eveningwear, sharp tailoring that emphasized structure, and sequined gowns in both monochrome shades and softer tones—lilac and metallics adding contemporary color perspective to the collection.
“The aim was to express the modern Carla woman while moving the brand beyond its traditional image toward a more ageless identity,” according to Beattie’s vision. This approach acknowledges that contemporary fashion audiences seek sophistication without rigid age boundaries—an evolution that positions the brand for relevance across generations.
Star Power on the Runway
Shaik’s appearance as a closing-show model added international dimension to the presentation. The Australia-born model of Saudi, Pakistani, and Lithuanian descent brings considerable fashion week experience and global visibility to any runway she graces.
Her recent fashion month activity confirms her status as one of the industry’s most in-demand models. In March, she was in Paris for fashion week, attending celebrations for cosmetics brand Hourglass’s partnership announcements and witnessing Victoria Beckham’s latest collection presentation. Her established relationship with Beckham extends to brand collaborations; Shaik posed for Victoria Beckham Beauty’s social media campaigns in 2025.
Even her off-season activities reflect her fashion world prominence. In January, she participated in Net-A-Porter’s destination style festival experience in Montana, demonstrating how contemporary fashion extends beyond traditional runway venues into experiential marketing.
A Moment of Recognition
In a touching closing moment, Creative Director Beattie walked hand-in-hand with Shaik as the crowd applauded—a gesture that acknowledged both the model’s star power and the collaborative nature of contemporary fashion presentation. Such moments reflect how established designers and international models work together to create memorable runway experiences.
Heritage Meets Contemporary
The Carla Zampatti show encapsulated a broader trend in Australian fashion: established heritage brands confidently modernizing their aesthetic while maintaining the core values that built their reputation. Carla Zampatti’s consistent presence throughout Australian Fashion Week’s 30-year history speaks to the brand’s institutional importance and cultural significance within the Australian fashion industry.
Beattie’s collection demonstrates that heritage doesn’t mean stagnation. By reinterpreting polished tailoring and empowered femininity for contemporary audiences, the designer positioned Carla Zampatti as relevant to current fashion sensibilities while honoring its foundational identity.
For Shaik, the appearance reinforced her position as a model capable of anchoring significant fashion moments—not merely walking a runway, but elevating a presentation through her presence and professional standing within the global fashion community.
The show ultimately celebrated Australian fashion’s capacity to evolve while honoring its heritage, demonstrated through a contemporary model of international stature walking for a foundation brand of Australian fashion history.
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