Gina Rinehart to partner the 2022 Brisbane Fashion Festival to support emerging designers

Article by Amy Price courtesy of the Courier Mail.

Billionaire mining magnate Gina Rinehart has made a surprising move into fashion, throwing her support behind Brisbane designers.

Mining magnate Gina Rinehart has made a surprising move into fashion, partnering in this year’s Brisbane Fashion Festival.

Rinehart, through Hancock Prospecting, will support the Next Gen Group Show, held at King George Square on August 24, which assists and showcases emerging Queensland design talent each year.

While the billionaire mining magnate is a long supporter of sporting events, the festival marks a new foray into fashion and comes after she attended last year’s event alongside Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Lady Mayoress Nina Schrinner.

Ariarne Titmus & Gina Rinehart at Brisbane Fashion Festival 2021. Photo: Richard Smith

The event had sold out within three days but weeks later festival organiser Lindsay Bennett received a request for 10 front row tickets for an undisclosed but “very important person”.

After purchasing the tickets in full, Rinehart brought along star guests, such as reigning Olympic gold medallist Ariane Titmus, each night, and wore a bespoke coat designed for her by Brisbane label Bonita Collective.

She was particularly impressed by the next generation show

“Brisbane Fashion Festival is Queensland’s much loved annual fashion event,” Rinehart said.

“We very much enjoyed last year’s event and the next generation designers and are delighted to be asked to assist this year’s emerging designers.“Emerging is when they most need enthusiastic support. Through this partnership we will be able to provide a platform for emerging designers to showcase their talent and best designs.”

 

Got Malual from Que Models wears a Jonathon Usi dress; Marni earrings and necklace, JW Anderson slides from Camargue. Photo: Richard Smith

Mr Bennett continued a relationship with Rinehart after connecting with her at last year’s event and as he began preparations for this year’s festival.

He said it was an uplifting partnership as they continue the high cost exercise of running a high calibre fashion event each year.

“Their valuable interest and support will help us to create a world-class stage for supporting and celebrating our local emerging and First Nations designers,” he said.

Applications for business-ready emerging designers are open now.

The annual event will take over King George Square for the second year from August 22 to 26, featuring a week-long program of live-streamed runways which will celebrate Queensland’s top designers as well as showcase next generation talent and coveted Australian designer labels.

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