The sartorial event of the year is looming, PayPal’s Melbourne Fashion Festival 2023 is back this march with a nine-day program that'll take over Melbourne (Narrm) from Friday 3 to Saturday 11 March.
With the Royal Exhibition Building as the headquarters for this year's MFF, there'll also be over 100 different fashion-led events from runways, shopping experiences, workshops, exhibitions and more taking place at 60-plus venues across the city and Wurundjeri country.
To get a look in at the must-not-miss events for Melbourne Fashion Festival in 2023, keep on scrolling down:
Suit Up Runway
Unlocking the potential of formal wear, Suit Up is one of the premium runway shows of the festival. We're also sponsoring this one so it's got a special place for us, but the entire show features Australian designers including MJ Bale, rhinestone-legends Reigner and more are unlocking the potential of dressing sharp from re-establishing conventions with daring takes on tailoring and the art of looking sharp.
THE DETAILS:
When: 7pm, Friday 10 March
Where: Royal Exhibition Building, 9 Nicholson Street, Carlton
For more information, click here.
Utopia Runway
Kicking off on opening night at the exhibition building, Utopia Runway is an exploration of escapism and futuristic fashion. The reality-bending exhibition of forward-thinking design will feature the latest designs from Australian labels such as Leo Lin, Aje, Van de Kooij and more.
THE DETAILS:
When: 7pm until 8.30pm, Monday 6 March
Where: Royal Exhibition Building, 9 Nicholson Street, Carlton
For more information, click here.
Urban Oasis Runway
Harnessing a myriad of sociologic factors including identity, sustainability and personalisation, the Urban Oasis runway will feature several First Nations and forward-thinking designers who are at the cutting-edge of dressing for distinction. The show promises to be a bold and inspiring look at the potential of fashion through upcycling and reimagining pre-loved clothing.
THE DETAILS:
When: 7pm, Thursday 9 March
Where: Royal Exhibition Building, 9 Nicholson Street, Carlton
To find out more, click here.
Clothing The Gaps X HoMie Tee Party
Two of Victoria's biggest social enterprises are coming for a collaborative evening of examining the power of streetwear and culture. Clothing The Gaps and HoMie will together join forces at Collingwood Yards on Wurundjeri country for a night of good times with the community featuring upcycled tees from the two labels, live performances, as well as food and drink stands to keep the party going.
THE DETAILS:
When: 4pm, Saturday 4 March
Where: Collingwood Yards, 35 Johnston Street, Collingwood
For more information, click here.
McQueen’s Runways: A Complete Fashion Experience
Delving even deeper into the psyche of designer Alexander Mcqueen, this late-night event at the NGV will be an exclusive access to the Mind, Mythos, Muse exhibition for MFF. The evening will feature a screening of the Autumn-Winter 2006 Widows of Culloden runway show and be followed up with an in-depth talk with John Matheson, UK-based archivist and self-described Mcqueen stan.
THE DETAILS:
When: 5.30pm, Monday 6 March
Where: National Gallery of Victoria, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
For more information, click here.
Vintage Garage Runway
Not your typical fashion show setting, the Vintage Garage Runway will take place at the Fitzroy second-hand boutique and will feature Nashville-based label Any Old Iron and Laura Citron. The show will take place in-store surrounded by the eclectic collection and will be a celebration of 70s fashion with a mixture of disco floor fits, from wide-shoulder tops and flared bottoms to colourful statement pieces inspired by the personal collection of Vintage Garage owner Marisa Gallagher.
THE DETAILS:
When: 7pm until 10pm, Friday 3 March
Where: Vintage Garage, 323 Smith Street, Fitzroy
To find out more, click here.
The BIPOC Market At Section 8
Featuring a collection of garments and accessories the BIPOC market will take place at Melbourne's beloved laneway bar Section 8. Take a walk down Tattersalls Lane to this entirely free event and pick up some bespoke creations from Melbourne's BIPOC community
THE DETAILS:
When: 12pm until 5pm, Saturday 11 March
Where: Section 8, 27-29 Tattersalls Lane, Melbourne
To find out more, click here.
Nocturnal X The Fashion Edition
The latest fan-favourite after-hours event, Nocturnal and its grooving dancefloor events at Melbourne Museum after closing time have become a smash hit in the city. As part of this year's MFF, Nocturnal will be happening again this time imbued with the world of fashion led in collaboration by designer Erik Yvon.
THE DETAILS:
When: 7pm until 11pm, Friday 10 March
Where: Royal Exhibition Building, 9 Nicholson Street, Carlton
To find out more, click here.
Fashion Life Drawing
Led by artist Meg Kolac, this masterclass at No Vacancy Gallery is a learning journey to the craft of fashion life drawing. The two-hour-long session will help develop your skills of capturing the textural layers of clothing, as well as movement and posture.
THE DETAILS:
When: 6pm till 8pm, Thursday 9 March
Where: No Vacancy Gallery, 34-40 Jane Bell Lane, Melbourne
For more information, click here.
Perpetual Pairings
Imagine a cheese night like never before, Perpeptual Pairings brings the world of fashion to a curated array of cheese towers and edible art. As you embark on a tasting journey through various fromage a slew of high-concept outfits and fashion garments will be shown throughout the space.
THE DETAILS:
When: 3pm to 5pm, 6pm to 8pm, Thursday 9 March
Where: Spring Street Grocer, Spring Street, Melbourne
To find out more, click here.
Check out the full Paypal Melbourne Fashion Festival program over here.
Image credit: Paypal Melbourne Fashion Festival (supplied)