Your guide to PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival 2026

Three cheers for 30 years.

It’s official: PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival is returning to the city in 2026, rounding out three decades of spotlighting the brightest emerging and established stars of Australian fashion.

Running from February 14 to 28, this 15-day festival at the historic Royal Exhibition Building will showcase 12 uniquely themed runway shows. Featuring 90 local designers plus a variety of events (with more announcements to come), this year’s theme, Fashion as a Spectator Sport, draws inspiration from one of Australia’s favourite pastimes, challenging the idea that fashion is exclusive.

For more fashion news, shoots, articles and features, head to our Fashion section.

Just like heading to a big game, anyone can grab a front-row spot, enjoy a night out with friends and immerse themselves in the excitement of the runway. As a media partner this year, we’ll be covering the diverse program of events, designer showcases and of course, the street style. Before you start planning which shows to attend in your group chats, see our complete rundown of the programme below.

When is PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival?

The festival is returning to the city for 15 days, starting on Saturday, February 14 and concluding on Saturday, February 28. Expect to see 12 runways, the iconic Fashion Talks series presented by Museums Victoria, and more across these two weeks, with at least one event per day. 

Where is PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival held?

The majority of  events will be held in Carlton. Each of the 12 runways will take place at the Royal Exhibition Building, and the currently scheduled Fashion Talks events will be held in the Treetops space at the Melbourne Museum. 

Other events will be scattered throughout the city. Those attending the Australian Fashion Business Lunch will meet at Zince at Fed Square, while cinema fans will find the Fashion Film Awards Screening at The Capitol on Swanston Street.

Looking to spend time in the city between events? Check out our guides to Melbourne’s best vintage stores, bathhouses, beauty salons and massage studios to help plan your week.

A guide to the runways at PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival

This year’s program is packed with runways showcasing the best and brightest of Australia’s creative talent. 

Monday: Joywear Runway and Melbourne Noir Runway

The festival kicks off with a kaleidoscope of colours at the Joywear Runway on Monday, where guests are invited to embrace maximalism and self-expression, showing up in their loudest outfits. Later that evening, the festival will present Joywear Runway’s opposite – a celebration of Melbourne’s enduring love affair with black – at the Melbourne Noir Runway.

Tuesday: National Designer Award x David Jones and National Graduate Showcase

Also in its 30th year, the National Designer Award will be presented to one of ten finalists at the National Designer Award x David Jones runway on Tuesday. Later that evening, the anticipated National Graduate Showcase will highlight Australia’s top fashion graduates. Supported by Fashion Journal, this runway debuts emerging designers to the wider industry, giving audience members a glimpse into the very bright future of fashion.

Wednesday: Beyond Blak Runway and Glam Up Runway

On Wednesday, February 25, the festival welcomes exceptional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander talent to the Beyond Blak Runway. Curated by Mob in Fashion, this runway champions creative expression, cultural leadership and career progression for First Nations creatives.

Following this, audiences can see Paris Fashion Week, reimagined through a distinctly Australian lens. The Glam Up Runway will centre Australian eveningwear designers in a celebration of all things couture. 

Thursday: Resort Glam Runway and Autumn Luxe Runway

Next up is the Resort Glam Runway on Thursday, February 26, at 7pm. Curated for summer holiday-goers with style, this show will feature brands that strike the perfect balance between luxury and laidback. Think Aje, Amy Lawrance, Camilla, Maara Collective, and Ngali. After summer, so follows the Autumn Luxe Runway at 8:30pm. Here, audience members will find a showcase of collections (complete with a lesson in layering) set to release for Autumn/Winter 2026.

Friday: F the Invisible Runway and Grand Showcase 

F the Invisible Runway will reject the concept of ‘dressing for your age’, proving once and for all that women can be sexy, bold, whatever they want at any stage of life. Celebrate women in their fifties, sixties, seventies and beyond on Friday, February 27, as they demand to be visible and valued.

This year’s Grand Showcase (the only solo show at PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival) will feature Cappellazzo, a luxury couture and bridal label that’s no stranger to the red carpet and is also celebrating its 30th year in business. The runway will be held at the Royal Exhibition Building, later on Friday night.

Saturday: New Again: Metamorphosis Runway x Savers and Avant Garde Runway

In support of sustainability, the festival programme will include the New Again: Metamorphosis Runway x Savers, where select designers showcase never-before-seen collections made out of unsold stock from Savers. Guests will see pieces by many FJ favourites, including Cakey Sportsman, Niamh Galea, Pocket Money and more.

Finally, the festival finishes with a bang on Saturday night with the Avant Garde Runway. Featuring Alexander Enticknap, Baaqiy and Grace Lillian Lee, this runway will marry art with performance in a surreal, high-concept spectacle.

What other events are on?

The 2026 program features several events outside the runway. Museums Victoria will again present its Fashion Talks series, with this year’s theme covering the role STEM plays in fashion. Discussions will explore fashion’s hidden careers, the psychology of dressing and the use of 3D garment design and virtual twin technology in fashion. 

The Australian Fashion Business Lunch will bring together some of the industry’s thought leaders for networking, knowledge-sharing, and change-making over a two-course lunch with premium beverages.

The festival will also host the premiere screening of the 2026 Fashion Film Awards. Audiences will enjoy a curation of Australian and international films, and take part in celebrating the winners of the Best Fashion Film, Best Student Fashion Film and Best Australian Fashion Film awards. 

Other events are yet to be announced, so keep an eye out for new and exciting additions to this already stacked calendar of events.

How can I attend PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival?

Members of the general public are welcome to all its events but tickets are required. To learn more information about the program, or to purchase a ticket, head to the official website.

To review the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival program and purchase your tickets, head here.