By Aimee Chanthadavong

Shopping precinct The Intersection of Sydney’s Paddington has launched the Australian Walk of Style, a Walk of Fame for Australia’s fashion designers.

Five of the country’s most prolific designers have had brass plaques installed permanently along Oxford Street. These celebrated designers are Collette Dinnigan, Akira Isogawa, sass & bide’s Heidi Middleton and Sarah-Jane Clarke, the late Mark Keighery, and the late R.M. Williams.

The project was developed by property developer of The Intersection Theo Onisforou with the support of Paddington Chamber of Commerce & Woollahra Municipal Council.

Speaking to RetailBiz, Onisforou said the launch of Australian Walk of Style marks the celebration of the country’s rich history in fashion retailing locally and overseas.

“It’s important to know that Australian fashion has a past, present and future. Last night was a celebration of the past, recognition of the present and whilst things still tough are tough we a confidence in due course we are confident it’ll be an encouraging future,” he said.

The Australian Walk of Style is expected to considerably increase foot flow to Sydney’s independent designer streets and encourage consumers to enjoy the in-store boutique experience which is suffering due to the rise in internet shopping.

“I like to think in every country has a special place where people can go to get the local designers and we are that place in Sydney. Our trade isn’t reflective of everywhere else but of course trade can always be better buts satisfying for now,” Onisforou said.

“I recognise The Intersection is bookend by Westfield Bondi Junction and Westfield Sydney. They offer the indoor, air-con experience but from my position, humans haven’t evolved to enjoy anything indoor and so there’s nothing more pleasurable than to experience the café lifestyle and that’s why we’re different to all the Westfield malls; this is why we’re special.”

A further two designers will be installed in plaques each year in biannual celebrations with a total of 11 plaques planned over the next five years.