The FJ team share the designers they’re most excited to see at Melbourne Fashion Week
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CAI FOX LEPLAW
WORDS BY LARA DALY
Ones to watch.
The countdown is on for Melbourne Fashion Week (M/FW), with the opening runway, ganbu marra, starting the festivities on Monday October 21. Across the week, seven premium runways will showcase the best of Melbourne’s fashion and culture at some of the city’s most iconic venues.
This year’s theme, You’re Invited, celebrates the individuality and vibrant community that makes the Naarm fashion scene unique. As with previous years, M/FW will feature a combination of emerging, independent and well-established designers, and will have a focus on championing diverse cultures within Australia’s fashion industry.
- Melbourne Fashion Week’s 2024 program runs from October 21 to 27
- There are seven premium runways and over 30 independent events happening throughout the week
- Tickets are on sale now, here
As an official media partner again for Melbourne Fashion Week 2024, we can’t wait to witness the variety of talent on the runways each night, as well as the pop-up runways yet to be announced. We’ll be there, taking photos and jotting down our impressions (and incoherent thoughts) on our Notes app. Of course, we’ll also be sharing the best details (on and off the runway) over on our Instagram and TikTok, so stay tuned. While there are many, many designers we’re excited to see, here’s a couple we’ve highlighted on the program so far.
Karlaidlaw
Picked by: Giulia Brugliera, Fashion Journal’s Managing Editor
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I’ve long loved designer Karla Laidlaw’s work, she has a real eye for design and a clear vision that’s now well embedded within Melbourne’s fashion scene. But I’m particularly excited for her M/FW showcase. She’ll be debuting a series of pieces made in collaboration with her mum (a first for Karla) that stand apart from the usual Karlaidlaw format, forming the brand’s new demi couture collection. The pair spoke about their design process recently with Melbourne Fashion Week, and the sneak peek has me hungry for more.
Par Moi
Picked by: Lara Daly, Fashion Journal’s Features Editor
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After meeting Ashiya, the designer behind Par Moi, recently at the official M/FW opening and clocking her insanely cute outfit (all made by her, obvs), I’m excited to see what she’ll bring to the Volvo Electric Runway on Tuesday night. The vintage-inspired silhouettes and whimsical femininity in her designs inspire me to play more with fashion, and I will for sure be taking notes (and likely placing orders) after the show.
House of Darwin
Picked by: Daisy Henry, Fashion Journal’s Assistant Editor
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This is my first Melbourne Fashion Week with FJ and I’m feeling most excited for the Fashion x Underground runway on Friday, presented by Collarts. There’s an incredible lineup of designers including Club Venus, Injury and Posture Studios, but if I had to choose, I’m most looking forward to House of Darwin. We recently profiled the Northern Territory-based label and I loved reading the story behind the brand. I’m excited for lots of colour, pattern and designs that tell a story.
Perple
Picked by: Giulia Brugliera, Fashion Journal’s Managing Editor
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I’ve been keeping an eye on Perple designer Huiliana Chandra-Curry’s work for a few years now and am a massive fan. She’s a refreshing addition to Melbourne’s fashion landscape, using lines and details in playfully clever ways. At the same time, everything she creates is very wearable, a difficult balance to strike. I can’t wait to see what she shows on Friday’s Closing Showcase. The runway will be a celebration of 30 years (!!) of Melbourne Fashion Week and Perple is a fitting addition to a brilliant lineup.
Clair Helen
Picked by: Lara Daly, Fashion Journal’s Features Editor
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Perth-based designer Clair Parker of the label Clair Helen is one I’m looking out for on the opening night runway, ganbu marra. Among her many fashion talents, the Tiwi designer has an incredible eye for bold colour and print. As someone whose wardrobe is 70 per cent black, the fact I’m drawn to her vibrant designs is saying something. She says she creates for “that woman that loves to be loud by dressing up to change her mood” and I love that. Her collection showcase at last year’s M/FW looked incredible, so I’m betting this runway will be a feast for the senses.
Strateas Carlucci
Picked by: Molly Griffin, Fashion Journal’s Advertising and Partnerships Manager
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The Closing Showcase is going to be massive this year, with over 30 designers and a performance from G Flip so I’m looking forward to everyone, but particularly, I can’t wait to see what Strateas Carlucci has in store. The latest collections have been stunning, the pieces are so wearable and yet look and feel very luxurious. I love the balance between masculine and feminine details, it’s clear every element is well thought out and created with purpose. Designers Peter Strateas and Mario-Luca Carlucci really are true icons in Australian fashion and I can’t wait to see what they do next.
Student designers
Picked by: Lara Daly, Fashion Journal’s Features Editor
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The Student Collection Runway at The Lume on Tuesday night is probably highlighted on every M/FW attendee’s list, mine included. The epic showcase will feature the work of student designers from a host of fashion shools around Melbourne, curated by stylist Stuart Walford. After talking to Stuart recently, I know this year’s cohort is going to be really strong, but a few on my radar are Anjali Tulpule and Tay Chen. Personally, I’m most excited to see Xing Lai’s work – my good friend Imogen Wilson of Studio Mimi told me about him, and she’s got Spidey senses for spotting the best emerging talent.
Wilson Jedd Adams
Picked by: Molly Griffin, Fashion Journal’s Advertising and Partnerships Manager
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I’m really looking forward to Wilson Jedd Adams at the Fashion x Underground runway presented by Collarts. Visually, I expect it will be incredible – he was previously an artist and you can see that in his work, it really does look like high-impact art. I’ve been looking at (and inspired by) his graduate collection Triptych from 2022, so can’t wait to see what this runway has in store.
Wackie Ju
Picked by: Giulia Brugliera, Fashion Journal’s Managing Editor
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It’s not often a designer comes along and creates in entirely their own way. Jackie Wu (of Wackie Ju) has a clear vision of what they want their label, and the wider fashion industry, to be. Jackie’s work is original, artistic and bold (but beautiful all at the same time) and their Australian Fashion Week runway earlier this year was one of the most exciting showcased across the week. I adore Jackie and what they bring to the Australian fashion industry, I can’t wait to see their work up-close.
Alpha60
Picked by: Daisy Henry, Fashion Journal’s Assistant Editor
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The Closing Showcase is high on my list this Melbourne Fashion Week and I can’t wait to see what Alpha60 has in store. The final runway of the M/FW’s 30th iteration is going to feature some of the best Australian designers, so it’s a safe bet that every look will be amazing, but I’ve always loved Alpha 60 for its fluid styles and oversized silhouettes. The label is always front of mind for me when I’m looking for investment styles to build my capsule wardrobe and I love the pops of colour and texture that have been appearing in its latest collections.
To view Melbourne Fashion Week’s full program, head here.
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