DAMIEN WOOLNOUGH NAMED CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF MELBOURNE FASHION FESTIVAL

Melbourne Fashion Festival Ltd has appointed Damien Woolnough to the newly created role of Creative Director, effective early August. Woolnough, a seasoned fashion journalist with more than 25 years of industry experience, will oversee programming, marketing and event experience for the Festival’s evolving organisational structure.  

Melbourne Fashion Festival Ltd has announced the appointment of Damien Woolnough as its first Creative Director, marking a significant evolution in the Festival’s leadership structure. The role, newly established within the organisation, reflects the Festival’s ambition to strengthen its creative programming and enhance its cultural impact. Woolnough will assume the position in early August, working closely with the Festival team to shape marketing, programming and the overall event experience.  

Woolnough brings a wealth of expertise to the role, having spent more than two decades covering the fashion industry across leading publications. Most recently, he served as Fashion Editor for The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, where his reporting spanned designers, retailers, models and the broader fashion community. His career has also seen him contribute to numerous titles and appear regularly on television and radio, offering commentary on industry trends and developments.  

The appointment underscores the Festival’s commitment to deepening its engagement with audiences and stakeholders at a time when fashion events are increasingly expected to deliver both cultural resonance and commercial value. By introducing the Creative Director role, the Festival signals its intent to balance artistic vision with strategic programming, ensuring its place as a cornerstone of Australia’s fashion calendar.  

Woolnough’s reputation as a respected voice in fashion journalism positions him uniquely to bridge the gap between media, industry and audiences. His ability to interpret and communicate the shifting dynamics of fashion culture is expected to inform the Festival’s approach to storytelling and brand experience. The move also highlights the Festival’s recognition of the importance of narrative and editorial insight in shaping how fashion is presented to the public.  

As the Festival prepares for its next edition, Woolnough’s leadership is anticipated to bring fresh energy and perspective to its programming. His appointment reflects a broader trend within global fashion events, where creative leadership is increasingly seen as vital to sustaining relevance and innovation. For Melbourne Fashion Festival, the creation of this role represents both a strategic and symbolic step forward, reinforcing its ambition to remain at the forefront of Australia’s fashion landscape.