Popular Sydney designer Michael Lo Sordo is said to have ‘tens of thousands’ of dollars in unpaid bills from his Australian Fashion Week show

Popular Australian designer Michael Lo Sordo is said to have “tens of thousands” of dollars in unpaid bills from his Australian Fashion Week show.

The luxury fashion guru owes the large sum to suppliers who helped him pull off his successful Resort fashion show in 2025, the Daily Telegraph.

It is also claimed that the catwalk was originally supposed to take place at the Sydney Opera House, but had to be moved to Machine Hall because the deposit was not paid on time.

An insider claimed: ‘He is incredibly talented, but a lot of people don’t understand why he goes to such lengths to not be able to pay his bills.

“The industry is small. You can’t get away with not paying what you owe to often hard-working people.”

Lo Sordo told the Telegraph: ‘We’ve had a fantastic fashion week and we’re incredibly grateful to all our partners who contributed to that success. We are currently in the process of settling outstanding payments related to the event.’

Lo Sordo has previously come into the spotlight for delays in paying bills to companies such as cutting services, fabric suppliers, pattern makers and accounting firms.

Chic Management reportedly won a civil case against the label in 2015 after it failed to pay models who worked during Lo Sordo’s 2014 fashion show.

Popular Australian designer Michael Lo Sordo reportedly owes ‘tens of thousands’ of dollars in unpaid bills over his Australian Fashion Week show. Pictured: Michael Lo Sordo on the catwalk during the Michael Lo Sordo show at Australian Fashion Week 2024

That same year, Lo Sordo was reportedly ordered by the court to pay $4,869 to Bright Trading Pty Ltd for work performed in another legal dispute.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Lo Sordo for comment.

For the AFW Le Club Lo Sordo show, the fashion house collaborated with jewelry brand Pandora and perfume brand Creed to create two custom-made dresses.

Sydney’s esteemed fashionistas, including Rebecca Judd, Nadia Bartel, Jade Yarbrough and politician Julie Bishop, descended on Machine Hall in May for the event.

It is also claimed that the catwalk was supposed to take place at the Sydney Opera House but had to be moved to Machine Hall after the deposit was not paid on time. Pictured with Pip Edwards

The luxury fashion show was inspired by the Maxims era and two popular Parisian nightclubs: cabaret club Le Boeuf sur le Toit and gay nightclub Le Sept.

“I thought long and hard about how we could top the success of last year’s 10th anniversary show,” Lo Sordo said Gratitude of the show at that time.

‘That’s why we decided to continue the party and consider this year’s show as an afterparty!

‘Michael Lo Sordo’s customers love to party and we always celebrate in our signature, glamorous way!’

Lo Sordo is often seen in the company of his famous group of friends, including Pip Edwards, co-founder of PE Nation.

Last month, Lo Sordo attended an Australian influencer retreat at the luxurious Osborn House in Victoria’s Southern Highlands, hosted by Pip.

The esteemed show saw Sydney’s esteemed style set, including Rebecca Judd (pictured with Victoria Burns), descend on Machine Hall to view Lo Sordo’s creations