Statement Makers

The BFF 2026 runway may have been the official main event, but some of Brisbane Fashion Festival’s most memorable fashion moments happened before the lights went down.

For BFF 2026, we partnered with five creators, each bringing their own perspective to the week and styling looks from Wintergarden retailers through a distinctly personal lens. From sharp monochrome tailoring and lace-trimmed femininity to relaxed layers and a return to the tie, these were looks made for the front row, but with plenty of inspiration to take beyond it.

Here’s what Rachael, Emily, Taylor, Shaun and Justin wore to BFF.

The new monochrome

Rachael made the case for black-on-black dressing with a look that was anything but basic. A cropped, structured vest (Zara) and tailored trousers (Cue) created a beautifully clean silhouette, while the flash of white at the waist added just enough contrast to break up the monochrome palette. Finished with barely-there heels, dark sunglasses and a statement zebra-print bag, the look played with proportion rather than colour. It was polished, minimal and distinctly modern — proof that sometimes the strongest statement is the simplest one.

Wearing Cue + Zara, available at Wintergarden

Relaxed layers, considered proportions

Emily’s BFF look was an exercise in effortless layering. An oversized striped shirt (Seed) met fluid, wide-leg trousers (Zara) , grounded by a cropped chocolate jacket that gave the softer silhouettes structure. The neutral palette allowed the proportions to do the talking, while pointed boots, an oversized clutch and amber-tinted sunglasses brought an unexpected fashion edge. It captured the relaxed tailoring we saw throughout festival week, undone, oversized and styled with intention.

Wearing Seed + Zara, available at Wintergarden.

A softer statement

Taylor leaned into one of the season’s most romantic directions, pairing tonal ivory with delicate lace detailing. The fitted bodice, fluid skirt (Sheike) and scarf-style neckline created an elegant column of colour, with the lace hem bringing texture and femininity to the look.

Brown pointed pumps (Zara) and stacked metallic accessories offered a warm contrast, keeping the styling contemporary rather than overtly romantic. Consider this the BFF take on occasion dressing: feminine, refined and just a little unexpected.

Wearing Sheike + Zara, available at Wintergarden.

The tie is back

If BFF confirmed one thing for menswear, it’s that the tie has officially returned — and Shaun showed exactly how to wear it now.

His suiting (M.J. Bale) balanced classic menswear codes with a more relaxed approach to styling: a striped shirt, patterned tie, pocket square and dark tailoring, finished with tinted eyewear. The result felt considered without feeling overly formal.

It’s a reminder that tailoring doesn’t need reinventing to feel new. Sometimes it’s about revisiting the classics with fresh proportions, personality and the right finishing touches.

Wearing M.J. Bale, with grooming by MECCA, available at Wintergarden.

High-shine meets quiet luxury

Justin’s look brought texture into focus, pairing a glossy chocolate cropped jacket (Zara) with a tonal cream base (Peter Jackson) and tailored trousers (Zara). The combination of high-shine outerwear and understated separates made the jacket the hero without overwhelming the look. Loafers (Zara), a structured black bag and fine-frame glasses completed the styling, while beauty by MECCA added the final polish. It’s menswear with a softer point of view — clean, tonal and confident, with just enough shine to make you look twice.

Wearing Peter Jackson + Zara, with beauty by MECCA, available at Wintergarden.

Five creators, five completely different interpretations of festival dressing.

That’s what made Wintergarden’s BFF 2026 style story so interesting. Rather than prescribing one way to dress for the occasion, each creator started with the brands at Wintergarden and made the look entirely their own.

From Rachael’s sharp monochrome and Emily’s relaxed layers to Taylor’s lace, Shaun’s return to classic tailoring and Justin’s tonal take on texture, the front row became its own runway, and a reminder that the best trends are the ones you wear your way.

Discover the brands behind the looks at Wintergarden.