Never too old to be glam! Models in their 50s and 60s storm the diverse Thomas Puttick runway at Australian Fashion Week

  • Thomas Puttick has trained with the likes of Alexander McQueen, Helmut Lang and Alexander Wang
  • For his Australian Fashion Week show the designer chose models for their 'diversity'
  • Politician Anne Aly, musician Sarsha Simone and Sierra Leone refugee Aminata Conteh-Biger all walked
  • 'The new series is a way for us to present empowered women who have a strong message,' he said

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Australian Fashion Week kicked off with a colourful display of some of the most prestigious Australian designers and models on Monday.

But among the plethora of catwalk stars was one designer choosing to showcase the beauty of age.

Thomas Puttick debuted models like 50-year-old politician Anne Aly, musician Sarsha Simone and Sierra Leone refugee Aminata Conteh-Biger who stormed the runway dressed head to toe in pieces from the designer's chic new collection.

Strutting their stuff: Thomas Puttick's debut show at Australian Fashion Week featured a host of older models many of whom have never walked a catwalk in their life
Strutting their stuff: Thomas Puttick's debut show at Australian Fashion Week featured a host of older models many of whom have never walked a catwalk in their life
Strutting their stuff: Thomas Puttick's debut show at Australian Fashion Week featured a host of older models many of whom have never walked a catwalk in their life

Strutting their stuff: Thomas Puttick's debut show at Australian Fashion Week featured a host of older models many of whom have never walked a catwalk in their life but Yvonne Tozzi (centre) was all smiles representing Silverfox Management

Before the show began Puttick explained the idea came from a need to celebrate diversity. In some way each woman who walked, whether she be older, shorter, or more distinct than the usual catwalk model, had inspired Puttick.

'The new series is a way for us to present empowered women who have a strong message, and who carry themselves,' he said.

Puttick has trained with the likes of Alexander McQueen, Alexander Wang, Helmut Lang and Christopher Esber but this was his first time presenting alone at fashion week.

Before the show began Puttick explained the idea came from a need to celebrate diversity. In some way each woman who walked, whether she be older, shorter, or more distinct than the usual catwalk model, had inspired Puttick
Before the show began Puttick explained the idea came from a need to celebrate diversity. In some way each woman who walked, whether she be older, shorter, or more distinct than the usual catwalk model, had inspired Puttick

Before the show began Puttick explained the idea came from a need to celebrate diversity. In some way each woman who walked, whether she be older, shorter, or more distinct than the usual catwalk model, had inspired Puttick

Each woman who modeled for the brand, many in their 50s and 60s, came from a diverse range of backgrounds. 

There were stylists, blogger and ex-supermodel Yvonne Tozzi, Lynn Staton, Isobel Blomfield, a graphic designer, community acitivists, a paralegal and documentary film maker.

'It's great to wear clothes for women over 50 and remind people we're not dead yet,' 60-year-old Yvonne Tozzi, who's daughter Cheyenne is also a model, said ahead of the show. 

The ladies have it! Politician Anne Aly (centre) featured in the fashion show alongside models with flower adorned garb and painted body parts
The ladies have it! Politician Anne Aly (centre) featured in the fashion show alongside models with flower adorned garb and painted body parts
The ladies have it! Politician Anne Aly (centre) featured in the fashion show alongside models with flower adorned garb and painted body parts

The ladies have it! Politician Anne Aly (centre) featured in the fashion show alongside models with flower adorned garb and painted body parts

The fashion show, which was titled Variations on a Floral Theme, also raised money for anti-domestic violence charity White Ribbon, Buzzfeed News reports.

An ongoing flower theme was used throughout the show with many of the models themselves painted in a white hydrangea type pattern.

Many of the models are represented by Silverfox Management Group, an agency which believes 'you can't define people by age anymore as consumers'.

Many of the models are represented by Silverfox Management Group, an agency which believes 'you can't define people by age anymore as consumers'

Many of the models are represented by Silverfox Management Group, an agency which believes 'you can't define people by age anymore as consumers'

The clothes themselves shone in their own light with luxurious silks in a mixture of neutral tones and ribbed cotton used to highlight the natural sway of each models body

The clothes themselves shone in their own light with luxurious silks in a mixture of neutral tones and ribbed cotton used to highlight the natural sway of each models body

'It's about mindset and common values. It's become tribal. Brands that succeed will adopt a generation-less approach,' the agency website reads. 

The clothes themselves shone in their own light with luxurious silks in a mixture of neutral tones and ribbed cotton used to highlight the natural sway of each models body.

But Puttick wasn't the only designer incorporating diversity into fashion week with esteemed womenswear label Sass and Bide also following suit.

But Puttick wasn't the only designer incorporating diversity into fashion week with esteemed womenswear label Sass and Bide also following suit
But Puttick wasn't the only designer incorporating diversity into fashion week with esteemed womenswear label Sass and Bide also following suit
But Puttick wasn't the only designer incorporating diversity into fashion week with esteemed womenswear label Sass and Bide also following suit

But Puttick wasn't the only designer incorporating diversity into fashion week with esteemed womenswear label Sass and Bide also following suit

The brand has been on a 14-year hiatus from Australian fashion week but made a glowing debut on Monday night to a full front row.

Tassles and varied skirt lengths were a well-seasoned trend presented by the label as well as fringed heels. 

'It just felt right to have women of different ages who would wear Sass & Bide and who themselves love clothes,' Sass & Bide head designer Sophia Berman said after the show.