The Focus Is on Self-Expression and Local Ingenuity at Melbourne Fashion Week 2025

“Come as you are.” This is Melbourne Fashion Week’s call to action in 2025. As a creative manifesto, it represents the distinct local fashion scene that’s made Melbourne the unofficial fashion capital of Australia. As a theme, it captures the spirit of self-expression and diversity at the heart of Melbourne – a scene that has evolved beyond our reputation as a city that loves an all-black uniform.

This year, the event runs from Monday October 20 to Sunday October 26, embracing its spring fashion roots, and encompasses over 100 events spread across the city, with more than 300 designers and retailers participating in a slew of activations that go beyond the runway and extend into the city’s most inspiring spaces.

But if you’re here for the runways, this year you’re spoilt for choice. The M/FW opening night sees the return of the exciting ganbu marra Runway, a celebration of Blak excellence that has become the cornerstone of the fashion runway program, featuring Melbourne favourites Gammin Threads, Northern Territory non-profit Tjarlirli & Kaltukatjara Art, and Pilbara swim and fashion brand Kaninda. A dining experience also returns with the Opulent Tastes Runway, popping up at 2025’s buzzy Il Mercato Centrale, while the Fashion x Music runway mashup, created in collaboration with Collarts and Melbourne Recital Centre, blends performance, fashion and live music. The Little Bourke Street Runway presented by Emporium Melbourne, a fashion-set favourite, takes over Emporium’s stretch of Little Bourke Street for a free exhibition open to all fashion lovers. And the week culminates with the Closing Runway, embracing the best of Melbourne’s independent and underground fashion in the chic surrounds of 101 Collins.

For those who love the burgeoning creativity of the Student Collections Runway, you’ll be glad to hear that, this year, its anarchic spirit extends to the presentation of the runway itself, with back-of-house shenanigans visible to the audience alongside the front-of-house polish. This year’s M/FW Student Award winner will be crowned at the conclusion of the runway, as always.

The highlight of this year’s Fashion Capsules is an exhibition celebrating the Australian drag industry at Collins Place, showcasing the intersection of costuming and ready-to-wear fashion. It’s joined by a First Nations showcase at the Melbourne Town Hall forecourt, and a special exhibit of The Australian Ballet costumes at Collins Square. Speaking of costumes, to celebrate the second instalment of Hollywood blockbuster Wicked, fans can pop over to Fed Square for a rare glimpse into the craftsmanship behind the Oscar-winning costumes created for Elphaba and Glinda.

This year’s M/FW Conversations will explore important industry discussions around inclusive fashion and the business of fashion, while more than 40 independent events across the city will engage fashion lovers in everything from slow leatherwork bag-making to vintage runways and pop-up regenerative stores. Meanwhile, food lovers can take advantage of M/FW’s Stay and Play offers at some of Melbourne’s best restaurants, cafes and bars, bringing together fashion and food across the city.

So this year, heed the call: come as you are, and join the rest of the Melbourne fashion community as we express our forward-thinking brand of creativity through the art we wear. Black clothing optional.

Melbourne Fashion Week 2025 runs from October 20–26. Tickets are available now from mfw.melbourne.vic.gov.au.

Broadsheet is a proud media partner of Melbourne Fashion Week.