We asked some of Australia’s leading fashion founders to share their resolutions for next year — and it looks like they’re cutting the same cloth.
Dorry Kordahi, CEO and Founding Partner, Swanky Socks
My resolution for 2026 is to be more present to slow down, enjoy the now and engage fully with the people and moments that matter most. Over time, I’ve realised that busyness doesn’t equal productivity and that presence is one of the most undervalued forms of power. I plan to achieve this by committing to consistency: starting my mornings grounded, training regularly, keeping clear boundaries between work and downtime, and giving each moment my full attention.
Whether I’m with family, leading my team, or building something new, I want to be there. Mindfulness in leadership is something I’ve come to value deeply and learned to appreciate with age. It creates better decisions, stronger relationships and a healthier culture. For me, this isn’t about slowing down; it’s about refining my goals.
Where I See Fashion Heading in 2026
I’ve always kept fashion simple. I’ve never been someone who shops for labels. I’ve always shopped for comfort. I think consumers are heading in the same direction. People are becoming more conscious of what they buy, choosing quality and longevity over trends and hype. Fast fashion won’t disappear overnight, but I believe we’re entering a more simplified era where brands will focus less on oversized logos and more on timeless design, fit, and feel. To me, fashion has always been in the eye of the beholder; it’s not about the price tag but how you wear it and the confidence it gives you. I wouldn’t call myself a stylist. I’m a jeans, tee, and shirt kind of guy and I think that’s reflective of Australian culture. We’re easy-going, practical, and comfortable in our own skin.
Talitha Cummins, Founder, The Cut Jewellery
For my business, my biggest focus for 2026 is continuing to grow our presence in the US. Since launching The Cut Jewellery in 2022, we’ve seen incredible engagement from US audiences, particularly with our organic educational content on social media. We’ve even had couples plan trips to Australia specifically to visit our showroom and experience the bespoke design process in person, something that’s been humbling and exciting.
On a personal level, my goal is to maintain balance: growing the business while still being a present mum and wife, and making space for wellness and workouts. Looking after your health makes every part of life better, so it will always be a priority for me.
Where I see the space heading in 2026
Lab-grown diamonds have experienced huge growth in recent years — and they’re where my business began. However, I’m starting to see a shift towards more unique stones rather than traditional diamonds, and I think this trend will gain more momentum in 2026. More people are realising they can have a one-of-a-kind piece custom-made at a lower price than a natural diamond, while still ending up with something unique and personal.
Sean Fagan, Co-Founder THDR
I’m looking towards the launch of additional brands in 2026, including using AI
product design in other verticals. Time is perhaps the most valuable resource for an
entrepreneur, so I’m resolving that both speed and intentionality will be top of mind
in 2026.
We’re seeing the proliferation of low-waste fashion business models, along with an
ever growing array of trends which lend themselves to customisation. We see brands
such as Neuono – the world’s first AI-led fashion label – which we launched this year,
gain additional traction as both the industry and consumers look at the future of
fashion
Briony Oayda, Bondi Active
I have two main resolutions – to prioritise both rest and connection. That means protecting my sleep and time to recharge, as well as being more intentional with time spent with friends and family. I’ve learned that when I’m well-rested and grounded in meaningful relationships, I lead with more clarity, energy and purpose.
My business goal for 2026 is to take Bondi Active abroad. And in that regard, my resolution is to be more selective and strategic with what we focus on. To focus on the opportunities that align with our purpose and long term vision. As a founder, it’s so tempting to chase every exciting idea or opportunity that comes your way but with a small brand this can spread you and your team too thin and not leave enough space to focus on what really matters. This year is about having space to commit fully to the right opportunities. I want to be more intentional, asking how each opportunity serves our community, growth goals and how it aligned it is to Bondi Active before saying yes.
In 2026, I see the active and lifestyle space continuing more toward authenticity, trust and individuality. Consumers want brands they can genuinely believe in and trust will become the foundation of brand loyalty. I also think individuality is going to continue to impact purchase decisions, consumers are moving away from mass-produced product and are seeking unique, fun pieces that feel more personal.
Shawn Koralewski, General Manager of Sfida
Being actively involved in my kids sports as they compete at higher levels in basketball and football.
Experience new travel destinations with my family exposing them to new cultures and activities whilst spending quality time together.
Sfida’s primary objective is to capitalise on the momentum of our 2026 Football Collection, launching in January. This collection is set to raise the bar for quality and innovation while remaining accessible and affordable. Building on this success, we aim to replicate growth in our kids’ running shoe category—expanding distribution to put more shoes in more stores. This strategy supports Australian families and small businesses, helping them navigate cost-of-living pressures while strengthening our retail footprint.
The sports and retail landscape is shifting fast – value is king. Consumers aren’t just looking for a good deal; they’re demanding quality and affordability without compromise. At Sfida, that’s our sweet spot. Today’s shoppers are savvy and feeling the pinch, so “bang for buck” isn’t optional, it’s essential. They want products that deliver functionality, durability, and trend appeal without blowing the family budget. Brands that can nail this balance will lead the next wave. We’re ready.
Annie Carroll, co-founder of Homeroom
I resolve to make more time for my community, to create space for creativity, to read more books about history by those who deeply understand it, and to keep Instagram off my phone 99% of the time.
2026 is all about tactility, baby. Offline is the ultimate flex, and the hand-made is the ultimate luxury. I think we’ll see the influence of Louise Trotter for Bottega Veneta and Mathieu Blazy for Chanel start to trickle down the RTW chain, with attempts at fabrications that surprise and delight us with illusions and tricks of the eye. I hope we see more singular and clear points of view from designers – in an industry that is so overloaded with noise and product, the clear design POV of houses like Saint Laurent will be a north star for a lot of brands. Trends will continue to cycle at an exhausting rate, but the rise of platforms like Substack will have more and more of us contemplating personal style – how to find it, how to express it, and how to protect it from the algorithm.
Danielle Haddrick, CEO, Shona Joy
My resolution for 2026 is to shift from reactive to proactive. We’ve built strong foundations, and now it’s about using them with intention — setting our sights on the next phase of global expansion and growth as the Shona Joy brand moves beyond its 25th year, with so much opportunity still ahead. As the business continues to grow, my focus is on staying grounded in a clear vision while building frameworks that give others real autonomy. On a more human level, I’m intentional about creating space to stay present and to celebrate moments along the way. Protecting time for routine, movement, and the people closest to me is what keeps me energised, curious, and able to lead with clarity as we scale.
Fashion in 2026 will reward agility. As we’ve seen this year, the pace isn’t slowing …Data will continue to play a critical role in validating decisions, but instinct and intuition remain just as important. The ability to question everything, stay open to new ideas, and adapt quickly will define resilience and long-term relevance.
Cushla Whiting, Co-founder and creative director, Cushla Whiting
In 2026, I look forward to growing our business in London & Europe, while making sure I carve out more time for family, travel and celebrating milestones along the way. The next year is about balancing ambition with presence – playing hard at work but equally as hard at living.
I see a shift back toward personalisation and creativity. With TikTok driving trends and the market becoming more homogenous, I feel people are starting to put increased value in pieces that feel unique, personal and reflective of their identity. It’s where brands can build real connection – individuality will be in.
Monika Ruggerino
Gouacheuse, goldsmith, gemmologist and founder Monika Ruggerino
I would like to delve further into my creative self and explore sources of inspiration that can feed a unique design offering. Whether this be travel, reading or appreciation for art, I’m not yet sure. Maybe all of the above.
I see fashion moving further away from quiet luxury and more towards ornate detail, hailing motifs from the past such as baroque tassels and detailed embellishments. Bespoke artisanal details will become ever more desirable.
The challenge I have set myself for 2026 is how to expand on my ready-to-wear offering whilst still respecting my core value of customisation and bespoke jewels that are tailored to each and every person. This is an element which I have found difficult to scale up. So I would like to explore how technology can assist with this growth.
