Paypal Melbourne Fashion Festival Turns 30 With Runways, Panels, Screenings and More

January in Melbourne is all about the tennis. In February, fashion is the spectator sport. Paypal Melbourne Fashion Festival returns for 15 days this month, running from Saturday February 14 to Saturday February 28. The 2026 edition marks 30 years of Australia’s largest fashion event, with a showstopping program fit for the milestone – including premium runway shows, talks, screenings, the Fashion Forecourt, supported by the City of Melbourne, outside the Royal Exhibition Building, and another program in Geelong.

The Premium Runway Series begins on Monday February 23. Tickets start at $69, and anyone can snag a front-row seat to cheer on the country’s most exciting emerging and veteran designers. This time, the usual repeat opening-night runway has been replaced with two new concepts: Melbourne Noir Runway, which plays on the idea that Melburnians only wear black, and the Joywear Runway, a maximalist celebration of self-expression where spectators are encouraged to wear their loudest, most joyful outfits.

If you want to see the next big Australian designer before they become a household name, don’t miss the National Designer Award x David Jones. Ten brands in their first eight years of business will show collections, with the winner taking home one of the country’s most prestigious fashion awards – past winners include now-essential brands like Alemais, Christopher Esber, Dion Lee and Romance Was Born. Also check out the National Graduate Showcase to see collections from 12 of the country’s best design students.

Other premium runway highlights include F*** the Invisible Runway, a runway that aims to inspire and empower women over 50 to dress, as the festival puts it, “however the f*** they want”; Beyond Blak Runway, where Mob in Fashion will curate a show championing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander talent; and New Again: Metamorphosis Runway x Savers, a sustainable showcase where experimental designers will present pieces made from upcycled clothing from Savers. Plus, dive into the world of romantic couture with the Glam Up Runway, and see where art and fashion truly collide with the show-stopping closing night Avant Garde Runway x Melbourne Every Bit Different.

Outside the runways, there’s also the Fashion Talks series presented by Museums Victoria, with three panels exploring the role STEM industries play in fashion; Australian Fashion Business Lunch, featuring keynote speaker Prabal Gurung, one of fashion's most iconic global names; and the premiere screening of the 2026 Fashion Film Awards, with shortlisted films from around the globe.

The festival is run by an independent not-for-profit and participation is free for designers. Support the local fashion scene by purchasing tickets and cheering on your favourite designers as they send looks down the runway.

Paypal Melbourne Fashion Festival runs from February 14 to February 28. Browse the full program and book tickets at paypal.mff.com.au.

Broadsheet is a proud media partner of Paypal Melbourne Fashion Festival.