A week in the life of an FJ editor at Melbourne Fashion Week

Runways, coffee runs and 1800 Tequila cocktails delivered to my seat.

October is usually the busiest month on my work calendar, but it’s also the most fun. For me, Melbourne Fashion Week marks the unofficial start of summer: the city is warmer, spirits are high and everyone is itching to dress up.

Now in my third year attending, I’ve come to appreciate the whirlwind of M/FW for what it is: a celebration of the people shaping Australian fashion and the creativity that makes our city unique.

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The festivities got off to an early start this year, with 1800 Tequila hosting a pre-launch rooftop party at Hotel Nacional on Friday. It was a chance for me to get the goss and catch up with a few faces I’d be seeing throughout the week – like Bernad Ngendakumana, who’d be walking in the opening night runway, and Audrey Allard, the chef genius behind those life-size marshmallow handbags.

The official M/FW invite this year.

Unlike traditional solo designer shows, M/FW features group runways, with a lead stylist bringing each designer’s collection together. While relinquishing creative control can be a challenge for designers, it means I get to chat with them before and after the shows, once the stressful part is over.

Of course, there’s more to the week than the runways. There are outfits to plan, reviews to write, people to catch up with, and the occasional last-minute sprint to make it on time. Here’s how my week unfolded.

Monday

My nine-to-five is mostly spent at my desk, so it was nice to kick off the week at Sky Park for the Media Preview, an appetiser of what was to come.

Stepping out onto the rooftop, I immediately felt the shift into fashion-week mode. It was a stunning day for an al fresco runway, set between glimmering buildings with planes flying overhead. Afterwards, everyone was discussing their favourite looks and sharing plans for the week ahead.

By 11am, I was scorching hot. I downed an iced coffee and jumped on a tram back to the office, editing a video for socials on the way.

For the opening ganbu marra runway, I opted for classic black with a summery twist: a sheer Sister Studios skirt, silk Vesper top by Jess Grindell and hot pink Gucci slides.

At the NGV, our photographer Molly was busy capturing street style before we were ushered into Gandel Hall, where a stained-glass ceiling and operatic music set the tone.

It was an epic showcase of First Nations talent. Yapa Mali’s sand-toned silks and Ebony Noire’s fur-accented streetwear were my standouts.

Tuesday

Molly filed her photos early, so I jumped straight into writing a review of ganbu marra to accompany our street style coverage. Our videographer, Camille, sent through her runway edit soon after. There’s always something satisfying about revisiting the highlights and sharing them with our audience.

My fave look from the crowd at ganbu marra, snapped by Molly Burmeister.

Tonight was the Emerging Artists Collective runway, a popular showcase of independent designers and makers. Sadly, it was my one night off, but Jillian, our Content Production Coordinator, headed to the Immigration Museum on FJ’s behalf. I had serious FOMO watching the runway clips roll in.

Wednesday

Fashion Week is always a balancing act: getting the usual work done while making the most of the glamorous parts of the job. After a morning at my desk, it was time to get ready for the Cult Status runway. I wore a pinstripe bustier by Sister Studios with a skirt by Gotham, one of the designers showing that evening.

Bumped into bestie/momager Imogen Wilson.

The State Library forecourt made a beautiful backdrop for street style, and I headed into the city with Jillian and our photographer, Lekhena.

There’s always one show you end up running to in heels, and tonight was it. Jillian and I got carried away at a rooftop bar, then found ourselves trapped in a labyrinth of staircases on the way down. We were still catching our breath when the runway started.

I was blown away by all the collections, but this red prairie-pirate look from Gotham was my highlight.

Thursday

Back at my desk, I wrote up Wednesday’s runway review and published Lekhena’s street style coverage.

In a classic last-minute scramble, I’d forgotten to pack an outfit, so my sister kindly dropped off her pink Kahe top and matching Dal stockings. My mum was in town for the week, and I was excited to take her to The Edit runway at Younghusband.

It was a hot day, so we made a beeline for the VIP Lounge, where refreshing 1800 Tequila Palomas were waiting on arrival.

Mum and I loved the colours in Asiyam, Clea and Ngali’s collections, and the Vivienne Westwood bridal looks from Raffaele Ciuca made a stunning finale. It’s always fun to experience an event like this through fresh eyes!

Friday

The Student Collections runway is a highlight of the M/FW calendar, and I wasn’t missing it. With temperatures hitting 31 degrees, I opted for a breezier outfit, repeating my Jess Grindell Vesper top with a vintage mini skirt from Fugu. My sister joined me in the Cold Shoulder top by Melbourne designer Annie Enoka.

Despite the heat, everyone was serving street style, including our freelance writer Dan, who arrived in a two-piece pinstripe suit. Always committed to the bit.

Cuties spotted before the show.

My sister and I, clearly stoked about the front-row 1800 Paloma service.

As a judge for this year’s Student Design Award, I’d already seen the five finalists’ work up close, but seeing it on the runway was another experience entirely. The remaining 25 designers were a complete surprise, making for an exciting showcase of emerging talent.

Work by graduate designer Samantha North. 

Saturday

No rest for the editor! I was keen to see Friday’s coverage, with Daniel writing a full runway review and Camille filming street style and vox pops for socials. I’d planned to hit some clothes swaps and book fairs, but after a week of late nights, this girl needed to rest.

Sunday

By Sunday evening, I was recharged for the Closing showcase. Melbourne had done its classic 180, so I swapped the summer separates for a pinstripe Sister Studios two-piece.

Holly in her Paris Jade Burrows ensemble (she drove her Mazda 2 in this). 

Held at 1 Hotel Melbourne in Docklands, the runway was probably my highlight of the week. It leaned into full theatricality, opening with Rosalía’s Berghain and featuring some of Australia’s most boundary-pushing designers. Paris Jade Burrows was a standout, with model and burlesque dancer Zelia Rose bending backwards in a dark dress. Grace Lillian Lee’s incredible weaving and textures also caught my eye, alongside Suzaan Stander’s leatherwork and Lucinda Babi’s ruffles and ribbons. 

Zelia Rose in Paris Jade Burrows.

Lucinda Babi.

A moment for these cabaret-inspired beauty looks.

Afterwards, I caught up with designers from Amiss who’d travelled from Sydney, making for a fitting end to the week.

Walking out, I felt that familiar mix of relief and sadness. The madness was over, but so was the fun. Until next year.

Melbourne Fashion Week 2026 ran from October 19 to October 25. Keep up with them here.