The Australian Open has stepped onto the runway for the first time, bringing its signature blend of sport, style and culture to Melbourne Fashion Week with the debut of the AO Edit presented by the Australian Open.
Held at City Square and styled by Jade Leung, the runway gave fans an early look at AO 2027 style – showcasing the premium apparel range alongside Australian Open partner New Balance and a first look at the ballkid uniforms by BOSS.
Australian tennis star and New Balance ambassador Jordan Thompson was among the key guests at the event, helping showcase the intersection of elite sport and contemporary fashion as the Australian Open revealed the looks set to define AO27 both on and off the court.
The showcase featured a curated mix of elevated lifestyle apparel, fashion-forward fan merchandise and performance-inspired pieces that reflect the evolution of the Australian Open as a global sporting and cultural event.
The runway also provided the first public look at the new BOSS-designed ballkid uniforms for AO27, ahead of their debut at Melbourne Park in January.
Tennis Australia Merchandise and Licensing Manager Billie Spence said the runway debut marked an exciting new chapter for the Australian Open brand.
"The Australian Open is a global sporting event, but it has also become a destination for culture and fashion," Spence said.
"The AO Edit gave us the opportunity to showcase the depth of our retail offering and the exciting collections we're bringing to AO27 alongside partners such as New Balance and BOSS."
The AO’s fashion-forward retail collection, Courtside, will expand its apparel and accessories range by 30 per cent at AO 2027, reflecting the continued evolution of the brand and reinforcing AO’s commitment to delivering a broader premium lifestyle offering for fans.
"Fashion has become an increasingly important part of the Australian Open experience, and we're seeing strong demand from fans who want to wear the event beyond the tournament."
"Making our Melbourne Fashion Week debut was a fantastic opportunity to present the Australian Open in a new way and connect with audiences beyond the tennis court," Spence added.