LITHGOW FASHION WEEK RETURNS WITH ‘UNDERPINNING FASHION – THE INSIDE STORY’

Gang Gang Gallery unveils expanded 2026 program celebrating the unsung women of Lithgow’s garment industry and the daring engineering beneath iconic style.

Following a record-breaking debut, Gang Gang Gallery is proud to announce the return of Lithgow Fashion Week, running over two weekends 16–17 and 22–24 May 2026. This year’s theme, Underpinning fashion – the inside story, delves into the hidden history of undergarments and shines a long-overdue spotlight on the women who powered Lithgow’s textile and garment manufacturing for nearly 160 years.

PROGRAM OF EVENTS

DAY 1 - SATURDAY 16 MAY, 11am – 4pm 

BOOK TICKETS HERE

• 11am: Doors open, Displaying art by Anita Resevska, Glamour swimwear by Coles of California, courtesy of Brooke Hennessy, Fashion garments courtesy of Sandy Fullerton, fashion drawings by Eric Hagen, every day
• 12noon – 12.15pm: Welcome, Sharon Howard, Director Gang Gang Gallery Introduction, Wendy Carlson, Curator
• 12.15pm - 1pm: Professor Peter McNeil opening presentation ‘Underpinning Fashion’
• 1pm – 1.20pm: FROCK UP Fashion Parade – come dressed in your best and join the parade
• 1.20pm – 1.30pm: Judging the Fashion Parade - Peter McNeil. Prizes for:

1. Fashionista of the Day
2. Best retro outfit
3. Most creative outfit

• 2pm – 3pm: Louise Mitchell – presenting the history of Berlei and the changing shape of women
  over the past 100 years
• 3pm – 4pm: Eric Hagen fashion drawing with live models Sandy Fullerton embroidery on display, catch the inside fashion gossip with Sandy.
• 4pm: Close

DAY 2 - SUNDAY 16 MAY 11am – 4pm 

BOOK TICKETS HERE

• 11am – 1pm: Eric Hagen fashion drawing with live models Sandy Fullerton embroidery on display, catch the inside fashion gossip with Sandy
• 1pm - 2pm: Dr Sarah Bendall will demonstrate historical garment padding techniques, bringing crinolines, bustles and bustiers to life.
• 2pm: Brooke Hennessy talks about her Coles of California swimwear collection
• 4pm: Close

DAY 3 - FRIDAY 22 MAY - Shopping Day 11am – 4pm FREE ADMISSION 

Held behind the Gallery in the Market space

• 11am - 4pm: Retailers and fashion artist’s work for sale
• 12noon – 1pm: Marnee Fox, presents Bohemian Style – Home and Fashion
• 1.30pm - 2.30pm: Sally – SalOn Katoomba, Rediscover your Style – Vintage and Retro styling
• 2.30pm - 4pm: STYLE UNLIMITED Marnee and Sally in the gallery

DAY 4 SATURDAY 23 MAY 11am – 4pm 

BOOK TICKETS HERE

• 11.30am - 12noon: Ray Christison, presenting the history of Lithgow’s garment/textile industry
• 12noon – 1pm: Eric Hagen, fashion drawing with live models Sandy Fullerton embroidery on display, catch the inside fashion goss with Sandy
• 2pm - 3pm: Dr Sarah Bendall – demonstrating structures of undergarments from 16th - 19th century
• 3pm: Sarah Bendall judges The Great Bra Competition. Prizes for:

1. Most extreme bra
2. Prettiest bra
3. Audience favourite bra

DAY 5 - SUNDAY 24 MAY 11am - 4pm  Finale 

BOOK TICKETS HERE

• 11am – 4pm: Eric Hagen fashion drawing, live models Sandy Fullerton embroidery on display, catch the inside fashion goss with Sandy.
• 12noon – 1pm: Marnee Fox, Bohemian Style – Home and Fashion.
• 1pm - 2pm: Sally – SalOn Katoomba, Rediscover your Style – Vintage and Retro styling
• 2pm - 4pm: STYLE UNLIMITED Marnee, Sally, Sandy and Eric fashion stories, styling and tips, closing remarks
• 4pm: Close