Hollywood heavyweights and homegrown royalty descend on Sydney for Chanel’s historic first runway Down Under
Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie, Baz Luhrmann and Kylie Minogue brought the star power to the Chanel Cruise 2026/27 show in Sydney.
Flashbulbs popped and necks craned as the global superstars and Sydney’s socialites jostled for front-row seats at Chanel’s history-making fashion debut Down Under.
Kylie Minogue was among the global superstars and Sydney’s socialites jostled for front-row seats at Chanel’s history-making fashion debut Down Under. Getty
The luxury fashion house took over the drama of Barangaroo’s harbourside venue The Cutaway to showcase its coveted Resort 2027 collection.
While the show was a replica of Chanel’s resort 2027 collection originally unveiled in Biarritz, France, this marks the first time the French fashion house has hosted an official runway on Aussie soil.
For the momentous occasion, the big names were joined by a host of local celebrities, including Dom Dolla as well as Lleyton and Bec Hewitt’s daughter, Mia Hewitt.
Nicole Kidman was among the big names bringing the star power to Chanel’s Australian fashion show debut. Janie Barrett
Chanel ambassador Margot Robbie arrives for the Chanel show at The Cutaway in Barangaroo. Wolter Peeters
The sheer scale of the undertaking is mammoth, unfolding across two high-octane showings at 2.30pm and 6pm, backed by an international crew and three completely booked-out Sydney hotels.
Chanel’s Australian connection
A Chanel spectacle on Aussie shores was inevitable, given the Australian icons who are already woven into the brand’s DNA.
Nicole Kidman cemented her decades-long relationship with the maison when Chanel’s artistic director Matthieu Blazy named her ambassador in 2025. It continued a legacy sparked by Baz Luhrmann’s No.5 the Film – a three-minute romantic drama campaign starring Kidman in 2004.
Nicole Kidman has had ties to Chanel for 26 year. Corbis via Getty Images
Meanwhile, golden girl Margot Robbie holds a special place in Chanel’s fashion lore as the very last ambassador handpicked by Karl Lagerfeld before his death in 2019.
Brisbane boy turned Hollywood hunk Jacob Elordi also has ties with Chanel after being named as their global ambassador for Chanel Beauty’s Bleu de Chanel fragrance line in April.
Margot Robbie at the Chanel fashion show as part of Paris Fashion Week Fall 2026 held at Grand Palais on March 09, 2026 in Paris, France. WWD via Getty Images
There are whispers Jacob Elordi could be at the Sydney show since he’s a Chanel ambassador, though for their beauty house not fashion. Getty Images
The Australian imprint has even been reflected directly into the clothes, tracing back 44 years to when Lagerfeld famously splashed a print by national treasure Jenny Kee across Chanel’s spring/summer ’83 runway.
That homegrown connection is just as evident on the catwalk, with First Nations trailblazers Latahlia Hickling and Tatyana Perry making waves when they debuted at Blazy’s spring/summer ’26 Paris show last October.
Clinching the local takeover, Hickling took centre stage in Chanel’s newly dropped teaser clip on Thursday, joined by fellow Aussie runway royalty Julia Nobis and Josephen Akuei.
Why is this Chanel Fashion Show such a huge deal?
For decades, Australian fashion lovers have watched the big European shows from the other side of the world, but this time, the biggest name in luxury came straight to our doorstep.
In Chanel’s entire 116-year history, the French powerhouse has never once staged an official runway on Australian soil until now.
Baz Luhrmann has a long association with the brand and was on-hand to show his support. Janie Barrett
Actor Joel Edgerton and his partner Christine Centenera, the Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Australia, were among the stars at the show. Janie Barrett
Bringing a production of this magnitude to Sydney sends a loud message: Australia isn’t just a lucrative market for selling handbags, it’s a serious player in the fashion game.
Just as importantly, it puts Sydney Harbour, homegrown creatives, and standout First Nations runway talent directly in front of the most influential eyes in the industry.
It’s the ultimate stamp of approval, and one that permanently cements Australia’s spot on the global fashion map.
Lleyton and Bec Hewitt’s daughter, model Mia Hewitt, was among the celebrities in attendance. Wendell Teodoro/Getty Images for CHANEL
Olympian Cathy Freeman donned a crisp white shirt with jeans for the outing. Wendell Teodoro/Getty Images for CHANEL
In case you needed any more proof that Sydney has never seen a fashion takeover quite like this, check out every major star who scored a seat:
Celebrities spotted at Chanel’s Sydney show
Pop princess Kylie Minogue, DJ Dom Dolla and retired Olympic athlete Cathy Freeman were among the first sighted at Sydney’s most talked about affair.
The iconic trio posed for a photo together, sporting their chicest Chanel ensembles.
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