Our Top Picks of Melbourne Fashion Week’s 30th Anniversary Program

Melbourne Fashion Week (M/FW) celebrates a milestone this year. From October 21 to 27, it’s marking its 30th anniversary with a packed line-up of events – from high-profile runways to industry talks and workshops – at locations that have defined M/FW over the years. With more than 300 designers, 300 retailers and 100 events, it promises fascinating insights into the evolution of fashion, art and culture in Melbourne from the 1990s to today.

Here are our top picks of this year’s festivities.

Kick off Melbourne Fashion Week with a celebration of First Nations fashion and artistry on October 21. Now in its third year, the ganbu marra runway spotlights Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander designers and models. The 2024 showcase includes social worker Tahnee Edwards’s “staunch aunty label” Gammin Threads; vibrant unisex clothing and textile brand Lore; artists from the Yarrenyty Arltere Town Camp in Alice Springs; and slow-fashion label Yanggurdi, which uses biodegradable, solar-dyed fabrics developed from native plant fibres. Following the runway show, guests can explore the exhibition, Piinpi: Contemporary Indigenous Fashion (created by the Bendigo Art Gallery and curated by Shonae Hobson) at the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre.
Mon October 21, 8.30pm, Melbourne Museum

Emporium Melbourne’s Little Bourke Street shopping strip will again be transformed for the 2024 edition of this dynamic runway, with music, festivities and moving mannequins. This year’s event celebrates classic tailoring, with a playful look to past eras for a mix of timeless refinement and contemporary flair. Expect designer labels Aje, Jac & Jack, Sandro, Maje, Oroton, Rebecca Vallance and more, plus finale highlights by Bec + Bridge, Rodd & Gunn, Viktoria & Woods and Zadig et Voltaire. This is a free event – register in advance to join the fun.
Thu October 24 5pm & 6.30pm, Little Bourke Street

On October 25, Fashion x Underground, presented by Collarts dives into the subcultures that feed fashion’s avant-garde. This dynamic runway event focuses on Melbourne labels with a sustainable, inclusive and innovative approach to fashion. The event channels the creative energy of both Internet 1.0 and Melbourne’s colourful underground scene. There’s a roster of forward-thinking designers that includes Injury, an interdisciplinary label blending fashion and digital art; Nixi Killick, whose dizzying neon pieces incorporate augmented-reality technologies; Club Venus, a clubwear label that pays homage to Melbourne’s rave scene; and NT-based social enterprise and fashion label House of Darwin. Expect an evening of striking fashion, cutting-edge art and unexpected performances that push the boundaries of traditional runways.
Fri October 25, 6.30pm & 9.30pm, Melbourne Town Hall

RE:Fashion is a fresh addition to this year’s Melbourne Fashion Week line-up, presented by Spring Place and supported by Collarts and Revamp. It takes over Lonsdale Street’s Spring Place from October 23 to 26 with sustainability-led programming and eco-conscious shopping. The four-day event features talks, workshops, a clothing swap, and a marketplace with 30-plus vendors offering preloved items. You can dive into sessions on styling, alternative retail models or knitwear repair, as well as an interview with Marcus Crook of Homie. Attendees at Style Swap will be encouraged to exchange garments rather than purchase new ones. It’s an unmissable event for anyone who is passionate about sustainability and the future of fashion.
Wed October 23–Sat October 26, Spring Place

Capping off Melbourne Fashion Week is the grand 30th anniversary closing showcase at the historic Melbourne Town Hall. Once the home of Melbourne Fashion Week, this iconic venue will host a special runway event as a tribute to three decades of Melbourne’s fashion scene. Featuring both current collections and archival pieces from 30 of our most celebrated homegrown labels, this showcase offers a rare opportunity to reflect on the evolution of Melbourne’s rich sartorial history. The evening will blend past, present and future fashion trends in a spectacular visual presentation, culminating in a performance by drummer, singer and Melbourne Fashion Week ambassador G Flip.
Sun October 27, 6pm & 8.30pm, Melbourne Town Hall

Melbourne Fashion Week tickets are on sale now. See the full program and get your tickets online.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with the City of Melbourne.