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The Melbourne Fashion Week program just dropped

Pay attention.

Grab a pen and get your diary out. The program for Melbourne Fashion Week has just dropped, alongside some big news. The event has rebranded, ditching the word ‘Spring’.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle announced the Melbourne Fashion Week program this morning and it’s jam-packed full of activities, runways, musical events and more.

This year’s MFW Hub will have a new home at the Town Hall forecourt. The new site will play host to a week of brand activations, workshops, pop-up designer shows and free concerts.

Here are a few of the week’s highlights:

Industry

This year’s Industry Program promises to inspire designers and retailers to take their designs internationally. A half-day seminar will feature a keynote address from an industry figure, workshops and opportunities to network with like-minded creatives.

Runways

As always, this year’s runway program is stellar. MFW’s Premium Runways will present SS17 collections from leading Australian labels at Melbourne Town Hall. 

The Student Runway will return, showcasing the talents of design students from RMIT, Box Hill Institute, FashionMasters, Holmesglen, Kangan and Whitehouse Institute of Design. Outside, in the concealed Melbourne Town Hall carpark, the Garage Runways will offer a look at some of Melbourne’s best up-and-coming labels.

The Ethical Clothing Showcase will also join the lineup for another year, as MFW teams up with Ethical Clothing Australia to showcase the best in local, sustainable talent. 

Music

The MFW Music Stage will take over the MFW forecourt, with a series of free musical events over the duration of the week. A lineup of local talent will perform sets both pre- and post-runway. Expect to catch the likes of HABITS and Sui Zhen.

Shopping

Vogue American Express Fashion’s Night Out will return for a third year running, bringing on board some of the city’s best retailers. On opening night, shops across Emporium Melbourne, Melbourne Central, QV, Bourke Street Mall, The Strand, Flinders Lane and more will offer special discounts, activations and entertainment.

Exhibits

If you’re feeling curious, you can head to Melbourne Town Hall’s Swanston Hall to check out the works of a diverse range of innovative Melbourne designers. The Creative Collective Exhibition will be held in partnership with Creative Victoria.

Food

Going to the top of everyone’s list is the Gala Dinner featuring Martin Grant. Curated by art and design collective, Unconscious Collective, the dinner will journey through fashion, food and music, with an exclusive solo showcase by Paris-based, Australian designer, Martin Grant.

Melbourne Fashion Week kicks off on September 1. Tickets are on sale now. 

melbourne.vic.gov.au/mfw

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