Melbourne Fashion Festival

Melbourne’s fabulous list of events also includes something for fashion lovers. When autumn hits the city, Melbourne celebrates the Melbourne Fashion Festival.

Formally known as the Paypal Melbourne Fashion Festival, famous fashion designers and enthusiastic visitors come here to enjoy the festival.

Melbourne Fashion Festival, 2025 Dates, Event Locations & Ticket Prices

Every year, the event welcomes local celebrities as guests of honour. In addition, the event also features fantastic live entertainment, exclusive VIP parties and many other activity options.

The Festival makes its grand return to the historic Royal Exhibition Building in 2025 as part of our continued partnership with Museums Victoria. As the official Home of the Festival, this prestigious and historically significant building has been our proud host for seven remarkable Festivals and will provide a stunning setting to present our world-class Premium Runways and Fashion Forecourt to over 3,000 people per night.

The buzzing Fashion Forecourt, supported by the City of Melbourne, will return in 2025. A fashion-centric social and hospitality destination located directly outside the Royal Exhibition Building on Museum Plaza, the official Home of the Festival.

PREMIUM RUNWAY HIGHLIGHTS

Grand Showcase: Steven Khalil
Friday 7 March: 8:30pm at Royal Exhibition Building, 9 Nicholson St, Carlton

Each year, the Festival presents the Grand Showcase – a spectacular and the only solo show as part of our Premium Runway Series celebrating one brilliant Australian fashion brand. In 2025, the Festival proudly features Steven Khalil as our Grand Showcase.

For more than 30 years, Steven Khalil has brought glamour to red carpets and weddings the world over. Now, he will give our Premium Runway the same star treatment, presenting 60 breathtakingly beautiful couture, bridal and red carpet gowns.

He is passionate about reviving elements of a classical era of European couture and makes bespoke gowns for celebrities including Jennifer Lopez, Emily Ratajkowski, Rita Ora, Priyanka Chopra, Kylie Jenner and Paula Abdul.

Expect to see superb silks, duchesse satins, silk organzas, wools and crepes sweeping down the runway – all painstakingly hand-beaded and embroidered by experts.

Menswear Edit Runway
Thursday 6 March: 8:30pm at Royal Exhibition Building, 9 Nicholson St, Carlton

Designers featured: Brother Wolf, Chris Ran Lin, Christian Kimber, Godwin Charli, Joseph & James, Mr. Cuff, Two.One

Introducing a new menswear runway concept that pushes the boundaries of traditional tailoring and explores a mix of elevated styles across work, street and occasion wear. ​A curation of the best contemporary Australian menswear designers right now that are leading the charge both at home and abroad.

Its versatility rather than conformity defines men’s style, but what these brands all have in common is superior construction, functional fit and making you look damn good. The Menswear Edit Runway showcases must-buy pieces that must be on high rotation in your wardrobe and will guarantee your mates that you have excellent taste.

Back in Blak Runway
Thursday 6 March: 7pm at Royal Exhibition Building, 9 Nicholson St, Carlton

Powerfully fusing contemporary design with deep, rich traditions of First Nations culture, the Back in Blak Runway, curated by Mob in Fashion, takes cues from Australian pop culture rebellion and redefines it through the eyes of First Nations designers and artisans.

This runway is a vibrant, high-energy celebration of fashion and artistry, featuring full collections and one-of-a-kind pieces. It opens new creative pathways and fosters the careers of talented First Nations creators, empowering them to shape the future of Australian fashion.

F*** The Invisible Runway
Friday 7 March: 7pm at Royal Exhibition Building, 9 Nicholson St, Carlton

Designers featured: Alpha 60, Carl Kapp, Etal, Gary Bigeni, Jason Grech, Kara Baker, Lisa Barron, Mastani, Nobody Denim.

An industry-leading runway that rejects the notion that women become invisible as they age and boldly showcases fashion that is fabulous, edgy, sexy and highly visible – all to inspire and empower women in their 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond to dress however the f*** they want!

These contemporary designers recognise the power of self-expression at any age, presenting collections that exude confidence, strength and creativity. If you’re a maximalist or want to try new things, the F*** the Invisible Runway is a celebration of standout fashion.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Australian Fashion Business Lunch
Thursday 6 March: 12:30pm at The Glasshouse, Olympic Park Oval, Olympic Boulevard, Melbourne

Join us for Australia’s preeminent gathering of influential fashion thought leaders as we present – Fashion Visionaries: Building a Brand with Purpose.

Explore the transformative power of fashion in this compelling panel discussion with pioneering brands dedicated to making a positive impact by going beyond aesthetics, focusing on ethical practices and environmental sustainability, and giving back to communities.

Delve into their inspiring stories, innovative approaches, and challenges and triumphs of creating fashion with a purpose. Discover how they balance business success with social responsibility and what it means to design with people and the planet in mind.

This must-attend networking lunch harnesses the industry’s enthusiasm to come together during the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival and enter change-making conversations, share knowledge, address challenges and connect with significant industry voices.

Fashion Talks: Why Don’t We Buy Australian? Presented By Museums Victoria
Tuesday 4 March: 2:30pm at Treetops, Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson St, Carlton

The Australian fashion industry is at a critical point, with major brands facing closures and manufacturing struggling to retain a skilled workforce. As imports increase, there are questions about the future of local fashion.

This panel discussion, guided by the Australian Fashion Council, explores the power of everyday consumer choices in restoring the industry and other opportunities identified in their recent report to support a resilient Australian fashion industry.

Your Fashion Talks ticket also includes free access to Melbourne Museum to explore at your leisure before or after the event. Discover exhibitions dedicated to history, culture, science and nature, including the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre.

Fashion Talks: Circular Fashion Revolution Presented By Museums Victoria
Tuesday 4 March: 4:00pm at Treetops, Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson St, Carlton

Victoria is best placed to lead the transition to a circular clothing economy, with the most complete fashion supply chain in Australia, however there is a pressing need for designers and brands to be supported to build circular business models, and consumers to be inspired to change their shopping behaviours.​

This panel discussion, guided by Sustainability Victoria, will dive into examples of the circular economy in action, threading change towards a more sustainable future for fashion and the planet. Learn about the business models, practices and technological shifts leading the circular fashion revolution.

Your Fashion Talks ticket also includes free access to Melbourne Museum to explore at your leisure before or after the event. Discover exhibitions dedicated to history, culture, science and nature, including the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre.

Fashion Film Awards Screening
Thursday 27 February: 7pm at The Capitol, 113 Swanston st, Melbourne

The official premiere screening of the 2025 Fashion Film Awards finalist films, submitted from around the globe and chosen by a diverse and highly credentialed panel of industry judges.

Come along to this captivating evening of fashion filmmaking to preview the 12 shortlisted films and be part of the exhilarating moment we announce the winners of the Best Fashion Film and Best Student Fashion Film.

Celebrate the fusion of fashion and cinematic excellence and the vital role film plays in the communication of fashion narratives.

INDEPENDENT PROGRAMME

Love Letter | Jude Resort 25 Runway
Thursday 27 February: 6pm at Jude, Johnson st, Fitzroy

Join us at the JUDE Flagship Store for an intimate evening blending art, fashion, and storytelling. Our first-ever resort capsule collection reimagines travel wear with unisex silhouettes, zero-waste craftsmanship, and versatile pieces designed for relaxed, sustainable living.

The runway unfolds a poignant tale of queer romance and lost love, brought to life by gender-neutral models and a live garment painting by designer Jude. As the models’ connection evolves on stage, Jude transforms a blank canvas into a symbolic love letter, echoing the story’s emotional depth.

Guests are invited to participate in the experience through an interactive calligraphy station and prayer wall inspired by Japanese traditions. Write your own sentiments of love and contribute to a live installation that celebrates connection and shared emotion.

Throughout the evening, explore the debut collection alongside JUDE’s seasonless designs, featuring timeless, handcrafted pieces that champion ethical and inclusive fashion. This event is a celebration of everything we love about slow, thoughtful fashion and the queer creativity that thrives in Melbourne.

Fashion Artists
8 February – 8 March at Mars Gallery, 7 James Street, Windsor

MARS Gallery (Windsor) presents Fashion Artists, a group exhibition curated by Paola Di Trocchio, featuring Australia’s top artists and designers blending art and fashion. The show includes works by Atong Atem, Scotty So, Jenna Lee, Kate Rohde, Michael Zavros, Louise Meuwissen, and designers like Romance was Born and Akira Isogawa.

The exhibition explores the body as a canvas, using fashion to reflect themes of beauty, identity, and culture. It highlights the intersection of fashion and art in contemporary Australian practice.

Coinciding with the Melbourne Fashion Festival proceeds from the exhibition will support the Melbourne Fashion Festival Foundation, strengthening Melbourne’s vibrant cultural sector.

Discover Your Personal Style
Saturday 1 March: 10am at Gate 8, 88 Jolimont St, East Melbourne

Discovering your style can be overwhelming, and finding clothes that don’t look the same isn’t always easy. You’re not alone if you’re tired of being stuck in a rut of sameness or exhausted by the overwhelm of social media trends. The good news is that you’re only a few small steps away from discovering your best style.

Gain newfound fashion confidence with the skills and understanding of human behaviour and how it impacts our relationship with what we buy and wear daily.

Lauren Di Bartolo will help guide you in discovering your best style yet. As a Fashion Stylist and an expert in human behaviour, Lauren will teach you the skills needed to help define your authentic style, transforming your relationship with clothes and your wardrobe so you can choose to buy less or buy better.

Stitchin’ Stories: Blak & Threadly
1 March – 18 May at The Birrarung Building, Federation Square, Melbourne

Bringing together nine extraordinary First Peoples artists and designers and exhibiting together for the first time, Stitchin’ Stories; Blak & Threadly is the outcome of the fourth iteration of KHT’s Blak Design program, presenting an exhibition that explores the possibility of fashion and textiles.

Grounded in family and storytelling, the exhibition features Emma Stenhouse (Ngarrindjeri), Emmy Webbers (Gunai/Kurnai), Matty Chilly (Wiradjuri, Wamba Wamba, Mutti Mutti, Yorta Yorta, Waddi Waddi, Barapa Barapa, Gubbi Gubbi, Nari Nari, Yitti Yitti, Latji Latji, Dadi Dadi, and ties to Māori Iwi in Aotearoa New Zealand), Michelle Searle (Awabakal), Tahnee Day (Yorta Yorta), Tahnee Edwards (Yorta Yorta, Taungurung), Tarsha Davis (Kuku Yalanji and Palawa), Teena Moffatt (Yorta Yorta, Gunaikurnai, Gunditjmara) and Tricia Van Der-Kuyp (Wiradjuri).

Together, these artists have participated in the Koorie Heritage Trust’s (KHT) ground-breaking Blak Design Program. During 2024, participants have been mentored by Dr Chrisitan Thompson AO and Hannah Berry, RMIT Associate Lecturer, Fashion and Textiles, with assistance from Studio Technician Yashna Seethiah. They have also taken part in a series of hands-on intensive design and making workshops and small business skills workshops, along with access to industry and cultural mentors, design professionals, and industry practitioners.

Blak Design Program is presented by the Koorie Heritage Trust in partnership with The Ian Potter Foundation and RMIT University.

There is so much going on over this 10-day festival to capture in this short post. Please check out the official website program for a full list of events, dates, times, venues, locations, and ticket prices.