DUBAI: Part-Saudi model Shanina Shaik returned to the runway at Australian Fashion Week 2026 this week, walking for Australian label Carla Zampatti during one of the event’s most anticipated shows.
Held against the backdrop of Sydney Harbour, the presentation marked another milestone moment for the heritage brand, which remains one of the few labels to have shown consistently throughout the history of Australian Fashion Week. The event itself is celebrating its 30th edition this year, with the Australian Fashion Council continuing to oversee the revamped showcase.
Creative Director Tanya Emon Beattie’s latest collection for Carla Zampatti focused on reinterpreting the brand’s signature glamor for a more contemporary audience. The runway featured fluid satin separates, feather-trimmed eveningwear, sharp tailoring and sequined gowns in monochrome shades alongside softer lilac and metallic tones. Speaking about the collection, Beattie said the aim was to express the modern Carla woman while moving the brand beyond its traditional image toward a more ageless identity, according to Vogue Australia.
Shaik’s appearance added further international star power to the show. The model is no stranger to the rigors of fashion week and was most recently spotted in Paris in March, attending a range of fashion week events in the French capital. She attended a dinner to celebrate US cosmetics brand Hourglass’s new brand partner and before that, she was on hand as British designer Victoria Beckham presented her latest collection.
Shaik, an Australia-born model of Saudi, Pakistani and Lithuanian descent, has worked closely with the fashion label before, posing for Victoria Beckham Beauty in a social media campaign in 2025. In January, Shaik traded city streets for snowy peaks as shopping giant Net-A-Porter brought its destination style festival to Montana.
Founded in 1965, Carla Zampatti has long been synonymous with polished tailoring and empowered femininity in Australian fashion. This season’s show reinforced the label’s ongoing evolution.
In a nod to Shaik’s star power, Beattie ended the show by walking hand-in-hand with the model as the crowd applauded.
