New York fashion designer Nicole Miller is heading to Sydney for her first Australian runway appearance, joining a new fashion platform that aims to put charitable causes centre stage.
Miller will headline the inaugural My Charity Runway event on 28 August at Doltone House Heritage Wharf, where she’ll showcase pieces from her “living archive” alongside never-before-seen designs from an upcoming collection.
The event launches Fashion for Impact, a new platform created by fundraiser and fashion advocate Sarah Quinn. It will bring together emerging Australian female designers and the causes they support, with each designer selecting a charity that has a personal or meaningful connection to their work.
Miller, whose designs have been worn by Beyoncé, Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry and Cyndi Lauper, is also planning to make the most of her first visit to Australia. The 74-year-old designer intends to tackle the Sydney Harbour Bridge BridgeClimb and take part in the Sydney Mini Marathon while she’s in town.
“Fashion has always been about creativity, optimism, and bringing people together. That’s why I’m excited to be part of My Charity Runway—it’s a celebration of great design with a purpose, and that’s something I believe the industry needs more of.”
Strutting for a cause
My Charity Runway aims to give Sydney audiences the kind of glamour usually associated with invitation-only fashion events in Paris and Milan, bringing international models, designers and VIP guests to the harbour.
Every item sold through the My Charity Runway Shop from the showcased collections will generate a 15% donation to the designer’s chosen charity.
Some designers are also weaving their causes directly into their collections. Sydney label Styled Collective has created three couture pieces for Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre, tracing a journey from the darkness of domestic violence through to resilience, strength and survival.
Meanwhile, Just Audrey has designed a collection for The DANII Foundation that explores life with Type 1 diabetes, including clothing designed to discreetly accommodate insulin pumps.
Meet the Australian designers behind the runway
While Miller is the headline act, the inaugural runway will spotlight a group of emerging Australian designers with some serious credentials.
Legally blind designer Julie Jaise of House of Jaise has appeared at New York Fashion Week, while Oh So Troppy founder Angelique Sloss has been featured in British Vogue. Footwear designer Yael Star of Edward Meller has also appeared on the Carla Zampatti runway at Australian Fashion Week.
For Quinn, the event is the first step towards a broader fashion and retail platform that connects designers, charities, students and brands.
“Fashion is part of almost everyone’s daily life. But its ability to command attention, start conversations and create visibility for important social issues is underused. Australia ranked eighth among more than 140 countries in the 2024 World Giving Index, but wanting to do good does not always mean we take action. We need to feel connected, inspired and included. My Charity Runway brings fashion and giving together in a way that creates value for everyone involved,” says Sarah Quinn.
Quinn has previously led fundraising teams that raised more than $380 million for Australian charities and says she wants My Charity Runway to eventually extend beyond a single event.
Her longer-term plan is to turn the My Charity Runway Shop into a retail platform, both online and through department stores, including David Jones, while giving purpose-led Australian designers a path onto the international stage.
For Sydney fashion fans, the first instalment offers a chance to see an international fashion name on the runway while discovering the next generation of Australian designers—and supporting their chosen causes along the way.
Key details
- What: My Charity Runway inaugural fashion event
- When: Friday, 28th August 2026
- Where: Doltone House Heritage Wharf, Sydney Harbour
- Tickets: Limited entry available
