The State of Style: Four Years Of The Tasmanian Fashion Festival

Long ridiculed by its mainland counterparts for a (perceived, at least) lack of fashion sense, Lutruwita/Tasmania is showing the world that it’s good for much more than the Tassie Tuxedo when it comes to looking the part. 

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The combination of a childhood spent on a grazing property in northern Tasmania’s West Tamar region, a degree in agribusiness management, and an early career in agriculture in a tiny country town might seem an unlikely origin story for Tassie’s first fashion festival. But, for Tanya Ellis, a passion for helping people to discover their own style - and through it, their confidence - has been a steady stimulus, culminating in her founding the Tasmanian Fashion Festival in 2022. 

“I got my interest in and love for fashion from my beautiful mum, who showed me how important personal presentation can be in elevating your confidence and owning your style,” Tanya says. “For mum, it was never about high-end runways, but much more about taking pride in how you put yourself out into the world - that’s always stuck with me.”

Tanya Ellis, certified stylist and founder of the Tasmanian Fashion Festival

It was a philosophy that would see Tanya create her own style when she moved with her husband to Hillston, a rural township in New South Wales - population: 1,547. 

“I asked my husband what people wore in Hillston, and he said, ‘Everyone just wears jeans and boots’,” she reflects. “I said, ‘Well, I’m not everyone!’ and I kept dressing in a way that made me feel good each day. As we became a part of the community, people started coming to me for fashion advice. It became clear to me that, no matter where in Australia you live, everyone wants to find their personal style and feel great every time they get dressed.”

Later, armed with a Master of Professional Styling from Melbourne’s Australian Style Institute, Tanya worked as Assistant Stylist to Myer’s National Head Stylist for the department store’s Australian Runway Series. The event took its heaving wardrobe of seasonal looks and six celebrity ambassadors to a Myer store in every state of the country … apart from Tasmania. As a Launceston local, Tanya’s vision began to develop. 

“At that time, so many people had the view that there wasn’t much to do in Tasmania, and there was no reason to include Tasmanians in the conversation when it came to fashion,” she says. “I feel really passionate about changing that perception, and creating opportunities for Tasmanian designers and creatives to showcase what they’re doing.”

Tasmanian Fashion Festival 2023 runway

Now in its fourth year, the 2025 Tasmanian Fashion Festival has more than earned its place in the state’s cultural calendar, with a record nine runways set to showcase established and up-and-coming designers, along with wearable art exhibitions, live Q&As, and local food and wine, across a two-day program. 

Runway highlights will include a Ziolkowski Evening & Bridal collection by Tasmanian designer Celyna Ziolkowski - whose couture gowns have graced a number of interstate and international red carpets - and Hobart-based Vivi al Ago, whose classic designs have become capsule wardrobe staples both locally and further afield. 

Vivi al Ago’s Ventega Linen Duster, styled by Tanya Ellis

Twelve students will also debut their designs at the festival, after completing a local sewing school’s Tasmanian Fashion Festival Runway course. In addition to its children’s and adults’ sewing classes and workshops, Wild Stitch Studio offers a beginner fashion course, guiding young people through the essential skills in garment creation, and culminating in their own fashion show.   

“It’s exciting to be able to inspire the next generation in fashion - to show them that people who live here in Tasmania have gone on to achieve national and international recognition,” Tanya says. “There’s so much talent right here, and we hope to show people that there really are no barriers to finding your style and feeling confident.”

The Tasmanian Fashion Festival will run from Friday 11 October (opening night, 6:00pm-10:00pm) to Saturday 12 October (main festival day, 9:30am-4:15pm), at Princes Wharf No. 1 in Hobart. For more information and to book your ticket, visit https://www.tasmanianfashionfestival.com.au/

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