“Hansen & Gretel transformed the runway into a coastal daydream.”
At Australian Fashion Week, Hansen & Gretel transported guests to the shoreline with Resort ’26, T I D E, a collection deeply rooted in the spirit of Australia’s South Coast and shaped by the rhythm and movement of the ocean. Presented at the Museum of Contemporary Art against the cinematic backdrop of Sydney Harbour, the show unfolded as an immersive sensory experience, blurring the line between fashion presentation and coastal daydream and perfect for honeymoon dressing.
Backstage
Upon arrival, guests were met with sculptural ice installations embedded with shells and starfish, immediately setting the tone for a collection grounded in the beauty of nature and nostalgia. Creative Director Ainsley Hansen drew heavily from memories of growing up by the sea, translating the atmosphere of salt air, fading sunlight and endless tides into clothing that felt instinctive, sensual and quietly escapist.
The collection moved fluidly between grounded textures and softer, more ethereal silhouettes. Fluid silk gowns washed in ombré tones shifted from pale shell hues to reef-dark mauves, evoking the changing coastline at dusk. Elsewhere, washed denim appeared weathered and tactile, adorned with painted textures and mother-of-pearl shell appliqué that felt almost sculpted by the tide itself. Hibiscus prints unfolded across relaxed resort silhouettes, bringing warmth and nostalgia, while crystal and gemstone embellishment scattered across vivid fuchsia crepe captured the shimmer and movement of light dancing on water.
Runway Show
There was a softness throughout the collection that felt particularly resonant for modern event dressing. White broderie ramie dresses floated down the runway with an airy ease that would translate beautifully for destination weddings, rehearsal dinners and long summer celebrations by the sea. Several of the silk gowns, particularly those cut close to the body with fluid movement, also felt highly relevant for contemporary brides seeking something less traditional yet still undeniably romantic.
Styling reinforced the collection’s coastal narrative without feeling overly literal. Shell bags, pearl jewellery and beaded details added texture and personality, while oversized sunglasses and minimal footwear kept the mood relaxed and modern. Hair and makeup leaned into the same effortless spirit, with luminous skin, salt-textured waves and delicate shell and pearl braids creating a beauty look that felt sensual, undone and entirely in tune with the collection.
The runway itself carried a strong emotional rhythm, heightened by an original score from Gary Sinclair of Tactile Music. The soundscape rose and receded like the tide itself, creating a hypnotic atmosphere that mirrored the collection’s themes of movement, fluidity and connection to nature.
Among the notable faces on the runway were Australian modelling icons including Montana Cox and Jessica Gomes, bringing an added sense of familiarity and star power to the presentation. The front row also reflected the brand’s cultural relevance within the Australian fashion landscape, with style identities and industry figures gathering to celebrate the label’s continued evolution.
What Hansen & Gretel achieved with T I D E was not simply a resort collection, but a fully realised mood. Part surf girl, part siren, it balanced nostalgia with modernity and ease with refinement. In a week often dominated by spectacle, this was a show that resonated through atmosphere, emotion and an authentic connection to place.
For more information, visit hansenandgretel.com and @hansenandgretel.
