What to experience outside of the runways at PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JORDAN DRYSDALE
WORDS BY IZZY WIGHT
Workshops, exhibitions, screenings and more.
With a packed calendar featuring over 100 events between February 24 and March 9, choosing what to attend at PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival is no easy feat. This is why, as an official media partner of this year’s Festival, we’re bringing you curated coverage of some of the standout experiences.
When you think of a fashion event, your mind most often goes to runways – and for good reason. Between the clothing, accessories, models, soundtrack and second-to-none people-watching, they’re a staple of the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival calendar. But between shows, there’s so much more to do.
For more fashion news, shoots, articles and features, head to our Fashion section.
What I love most about the Festival is the scope of events available – you can really customise the experience to best suit your needs. Whether you’re looking to further your fashion education, test your creative skills or indulge in food and drink, there’s something for you. Below, we’ve broken down some of the best Festival experiences to explore outside of the runways.
Fashion Forecourt Supported by City of Melbourne
Forecourt Reserved
PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival is bringing back its Fashion Forecourt for another year, this time supported by City of Melbourne. It’s a non-ticketed space located outside the Royal Exhibition Building on Museum Plaza, so those not attending a runway can still grab drinks or food, meet with friends and enjoy live entertainment.
Forecourt Reserved introduces a bookable alfresco table, available for up to four guests. Reserve your slot for a pre or post-show bottle of wine, grazing platter and some people-watching.
Find out more here.
Fashion Dining Series
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If you’re looking to elevate your evening, the Fashion Dining Series offers an exclusive runway-to-restaurant experience. Guests will be chauffeured to and from some of Melbourne’s most celebrated culinary institutions (like Trader House venues, for example) for a delicious night of fashion and food.
Find out more here.
After Parties
After every Premium Runway in the Fashion Forecourt supported by City of Melbourne’s VIP lounge, there’ll be a fashion afterparty to attend. Book in for access straight from the runway to the bar and celebrate with live entertainment, cocktails and nibbles.
Find out more here.
Workshops and talks
Trash and Slash at the Farm
Get out of the city and breathe new life into your wardrobe with Trash and Slash at the Farm, an independent workshop produced by A Fitting Connection. Just bring an old worn, stained or ripped T-shirt and get ready to transform it using ink, fabrics and creative threadwork. If you don’t have a tee you’re willing to destroy, never fear – one can be provided.
Find out more here.
Fashion Talks: Conversations Across Culture Presented by Museums Victoria
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Melbourne writer and Culture Club podcast co-host Maggie Zhou will be leading an insightful panel discussion on the ethics and opportunities of cultural collaboration. Learn about the history of cultural collaboration, best practices and how to honour cultures rather than appropriate them with First Nations designer Paul McCann, Bonnie Mooney from Social Studio, Shegofa Nasari and inclusion expert Winitha Bonney.
Find out more here.
Fashion Forward: The Next Retail Revolution
Presented by Collarts, Fashion Forward: The Next Retail Revolution will explore what the future of fashion retailing and marketing really looks like, with a focus on sustainability and technology. It’s a discussion tech innovators, industry insiders and fashion students alike can enjoy.
Find out more here.
Fashion Talks: Beyond the Seams Presented by Museums Victoria
If you’re curious about the circular clothing economy, join the Australian Fashion Council and Museums Victoria for an insightful panel discussion about the future of fashion manufacturing. Hosted by Australian Fashion Council Chair, Marianne Perkovic, RMIT Associate Dean Dr Jenny Underwood and the Managing Director of Epson Australia, Craig Heckenberg, this talk will explore technological developments in textiles and localised production.
Find out more here.
Exhibitions, performances and screenings
Fashion Film Awards Screening
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A favourite on the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival calendar, the Fashion Film Awards Screening sits at the intersection of fashion, art and film. This year’s screening will show the finished works of 12 talented finalists, as selected by a panel of credentialed industry judges. After the screenings, the final winner will be announced.
Find out more here.
New Exuberance: Contemporary Australian Textile Design
Celebrating the work of more than 30 creatives including Grace Lillian Lee, Paul McCann, Atong Atem and Romance was Born, the dynamic New Exubance exhibition is set to be a colourful, collaborative showcase. Head to the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery to experience this travelling display, highlighting the versatility of sustainable textile craft.
Find out more here.
To explore the full PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival program, head here.
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