Australian fashion designers gain traction in auctions and museums

Australian fashion designers are increasingly appearing in museum collections and secondary auction markets, though significant financial returns often take decades to materialize.

The National Gallery of Victoria recently received a substantial donation featuring works by Martin Grant, Akira Isogawa, and Toni Maticevski. While some designers like Zimmermann maintain strong auction performance with pieces reaching several hundred dollars, others see more modest returns. For instance, clothing by Collette Dinnigan has been found on the secondary market for as little as $40.

Historical pieces, such as a late 1980s dress designed by Linda Jackson in collaboration with Jenny Kee, have shown more traction, selling for approximately $480 at Shapiro Auctioneers. Experts suggest that while collecting can be a pursuit of passion, the high-value market for Australian talent is still developing.