Melbourne Fashion Week has announced its 2026 program, here’s what to know

Your guide to the best runways, conversations and independent events at M/FW.

Spring is officially here, which means longer days, warmer weather and, more importantly, Melbourne Fashion Week (M/FW) is just around the corner.

Returning from Monday, October 19 to Sunday, October 25, M/FW is firmly focused on celebrating the designers, creatives and communities that make the city’s fashion scene so distinct. This year’s program brings together over 300 local designers and retailers across more than 100 free and ticketed events, including seven premium runways held at iconic locations throughout the city.

• Melbourne Fashion Week’s 2026 program runs from October 19 to 25
• There will be seven runways, 300 participating designers and over 100 free and ticketed events
• Tickets are on sale now, here.

This year’s theme, ‘Wear the Moment’, is a fitting celebration of the individuals who make Melbourne the most stylish city in the country (as far as we’re concerned). As a proud partner of M/FW once again, we’re already looking ahead to a week of runways, exhibitions, conversations and plenty of street-style spotting. Here’s everything you need to know about Melbourne Fashion Week 2026.

What’s new at Melbourne Fashion Week this year?

One of the most exciting parts about this year’s program is where it’s all happening. For the first time, M/FW will take over the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), with the grand Great Hall setting the scene for the opening night’s ganbu marra runway.

The week will also see the long-awaited return of City Square, which will host two daytime runways on Saturday, October 24. With paid seating and free standing tickets available, the Street Style and After Dark runways will showcase a diverse mix of local designers and retailers, bringing the city’s eclectic street style to one of its most central spaces.

There’s also an exciting addition to the Fashion Capsules program: a world-exclusive presentation of couture bridal collections by Vivienne Westwood, presented in collaboration with local bridal institution, Raffaele Ciuca.

When is Melbourne Fashion Week 2026?

Melbourne Fashion Week will run from Monday, October 19 to Sunday, October 25. Across the seven days, the city will host premium runways, student showcases, conversations, exhibitions, workshops and more than 30 independent events.

Where is Melbourne Fashion Week held?

As always, M/FW will make use of some of the city’s most iconic spaces. This year’s runway locations include the NGV, State Library Victoria, Younghusband, 1 Hotel Melbourne and City Square, with each providing a very different backdrop.

For those visiting Melbourne, our editors have curated a range of guides to the city’s best hair salons, massage studios, vintage shopping and date night spots, if you’re looking to fill in some time between events.

What runways are on at Melbourne Fashion Week?

The week kicks off with the ganbu marra runway at the NGV on Monday, October 19. Styled by creative director Lindyn Rowland, the opening showcase will bring together First Nations designers and creatives, including this year’s National Indigenous Fashion Award winner, Delvene Cockatoo-Collins.

On Wednesday, The Cult Status runway takes over Ian Potter’s Queens Hall at State Library Victoria. Styled by Joseph Romano, it will spotlight the emerging and independent names shaping Melbourne’s fashion landscape, including Club Venus, Gotham, Perple and Toile Studios. On Thursday, The Edit runway at Younghusband will celebrate modern femininity, with collections from Bianca Spender, Clea, Third Form and more.

Always a highlight, Friday night will see the return of the Student Collections runway, styled by Stuart Walford. Featuring graduating and current students from Australia’s top design institutions, it’s fashion at its most raw and experimental. Adding to the excitement, the Student Designer Award winner will be announced on the night.

On Saturday, City Square will host two daytime runways. Street Style will bring together designers and retailers including búl, Clothing The Gaps, Elk the Label and Gammin Threads, followed by After Dark, featuring Godwin Charli, Ngali and Tojha.

Last but certainly not least, the week will close at 1 Hotel Melbourne on Sunday, with the Wear the Moment runway. Styled by Karinda Mutabazi, the closing showcase will feature designers including Grace Lillian Lee, Lucinda Babi and Corde Couture, alongside live performance and music.

What other events can I attend at Melbourne Fashion Week?

Fashion Capsules

Running for an entire month (from September 28 to October 25), five fashion capsules will bring curated exhibitions to locations across the city. Highlights include Sisterhood and Spear Grass, which celebrates First Nations designers; Fashion Futures, showcasing student work from Melbourne’s leading design schools; and Sustainable City, curated by The Social Studio and exploring local production and circularity.

At Emporium Melbourne, The Capsule 4: The Collection will merge all three fashion capsules, while Love Letters at Melbourne Town Hall will celebrate 70 years of bridal excellence from Raffaele Ciuca, including couture from Vivienne Westwood.

M/FW Conversations

Whether you’re directly involved in the industry or not, the panel talks are always worth tuning in to. Presented by Collarts, M/FW Conversations will bring industry experts together at State Library Victoria on Tuesday, October 20 to discuss some of the big questions facing fashion. The first session, Invest in Your Fashion Business, will explore how emerging and established designers can build resilient, future-focused businesses. Later, Visible and Valued will turn its attention to women over 50 and why they remain one of fashion’s most overlooked audiences.

Independent Events

If there’s not enough excitement on your diary already, more than 30 independent events also form part of the wider M/FW program. Highlights include the return of the Emerging Artists Collective (always one of our favourites), a dining and fashion experience at Pastuso, and a sustainability conversation and clothing swap with the United Nations Association of Australia.

How can I attend Melbourne Fashion Week 2026?

There’s a mix of free and ticketed events throughout the week, with tickets now on sale via the Melbourne Fashion Week website. As a ticket holder, you’ll also be able to access exclusive offers from participating designers and partners, alongside hospitality specials at some of Melbourne’s restaurants, cafes and bars.