Julie Bishop shows off her fashionable side at LAFW

Ask the Australian Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, what she knows about Australian fashion, and she’ll give it to you straight.

Fashion is a creative industry.

It’s about breaking into new markets, and creating new opportunities for innovative young Australians.

Yes, it’s also beautiful, but that’s just a bonus.

“Australia is renowned for its world-class designers,’ said Ms Bishop, who is in LA this week to open the G’Day LA Australian Fashion Showcase, at LA Fashion Week,

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“This is part of an ongoing strategy to promote Australian fashion to a wider international audience to develop new markets and business opportunities for our creative economy.”

G’Day USA is an annual program that fosters economic ties between Australia and the US.

The fashion showcase took place last night, at the funky Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles.

The showcase included two runway shows, and a VIP reception with fashion vignettes by Johanna Johnson, whose hand-crafted gowns have been worn by everyone from the foreign minister to Meryl Streep.

Australia’s own Kathryn Eisman, who is one of the biggest stars on TV in the US, was MC for the runway shows.

Australians taking part included Emma Mulholland, whose ‘edgy street wear’ was inspired by her time in Bali. Emma’s designs have been worn by Kanye West, Azealia Banks, Grimes, MIA and Kimbra, and she is sold through Nasty Gal.

Zhivago the label by Perth-based Lara Kovacevich and Lydia Tswetnenko, has been worn by Katy Perry, Annii Minogue, Samantha Jade and Kendall and Kylie Jenner.

Johanna Johnson’s red carpet gowns have become sought after in the US for what fashionista’s describe as timeless glamour, grace and old Hollywood style. She has dressed Madonna, P!nk, Angelina Jolie, Meryl Streep, Halle Berry, Emily Blunt, Christina Hendricks and Jennifer Lopez. Her gowns are stocked locally in Neiman Marcus in Los Angeles, while many bridal stores across the US carrying the bespoke ‘Made in Australia’ bridal lines.