The Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival is an annual celebration of fashion, arts, ideas and creative endeavour. The festival, focusing on consumers, presents the country’s largest consumer fashion events including world-class runway shows featuring Australia’s established and emerging designers, running from March 1-18.
With ready-to-wear being the domain of fast fashion, it’s more important than ever to examine these shows designed to sweep us away with bright lights, loud music and glamour and purchase on the spot (using their “See Now, Buy Now” shop the runway system).
To assist with keeping to your ethical fashion resolutions, our team have reviewed the full VAMFF 2018 schedule to identify some ethical brands and locate the events promoting circular and sustainable practices, forward-thinking and innovative design covering talks, runway shows, art installations and experiences.
Can’t make it to the festival? Watch live feeds via Instagram
DISCLAIMER: The brands and events featured in this article meet one or more of our ethical and sustainable criteria according to our research. As the VAMFF covers hundreds of events and fashion labels, exclusion from this article or our website should not be considered an indication of suitability. As always, we recommend that you only make purchases based on your independent enquiries.
GLOBAL FASHION EXCHANGE
Clothing Swap Event
Global Fashion Exchange lands in Melbourne and partners with The Clothing Exchange and Fashion Revolution to create the cities largest and most exciting ethical fashion event. Consumers are encouraged to bring new or gently used garments from their own closets to exchange with other swap guests.
“At The Clothing Exchange, we believe that looking good shouldn’t ‘cost’ the earth – yet current manufacturing and fashion industry practices are responsible for a vast amount of damage to the environment and to the lives of clothing industry workers.” – Kate Luckins, founder of The Clothing Exchange. Event supported by Fashion Revolution.
SUNDAY 11 MARCH, 11am – 3pm
GLOBAL INDIGENOUS RUNWAY
Independent Runway
The Global Indigenous Runway 2018 will present high end fashion by Indigenous designers from the outback of Australia to the shores of New Zealand and Pacific, and the Rocky Mountains of Canada.
Be mesmerised by the colourful and flowing garments that will grace the runway with collections inspired by its environment, culture, arts and history of its people. Be captivated by the fashion, and swept off your feet by the beauty, stride and pride of the world’s largest presentation of Indigenous models.
FRIDAY 9 MARCH, 8PM
SUSTAINABILITY IN DESIGN
Conversation
Now more than ever, sustainability in fashion and design is at the forefront of industry conversation. Brands are under increasing pressure from consumers to implement sustainable manufacturing practices. Amid all of the noise surrounding sustainable design, what progress, if any, is being made?
In this panel event, some of Australia’s brightest design talents discuss how sustainability informs and shapes their design and manufacturing processes, the importance of quality, and the value of local production. Working across fashion, beauty, furniture, and interiors, our panelists will provide insights into the nuances of sustainability across a spectrum of design industries.
Mediator: Jess Blanch – Editor in Chief, Russh Magazine. Panelists include: Vanessa Katsanevakis – Sussex Taps, Ross Gardam – Ross Gardam, Holly Ryan – Holly Ryan Jewellery, Gemma Cahill – Arnsdorf
THURSDAY 8 MARCH, 6PM
Performance & Exhibition 
In the age of online shopping, cheaper production costs and the throw-away society, fast fashion has become a growing epidemic amongst the millennium generation. Local Melbourne artists will present garments that review, recycle and repurpose discarded clothes and materials for the runway show RENEW.
This runway event will showcase the works of sustainable artists Sam Woud, Tenfingerz, Rachel Jesse Rae, Carolyn Cardinet and millennium designers from the Yarra Youth Fashion program, with a repurposed a Man With A Van removalist truck becoming an unforgettable outdoor runway.
THURSDAY 8 MARCH, 6:30PM
CURATED POP-UP
Royal Exhibition Building
Meet. Connect. Shop. More than a pop-up, Curated is a unique program from the Australian Fashion Council, supporting local emerging labels. Catch a runway show, explore the plaza festivities and meet the labels – including Autark, Natalija, A.BCH, Mndatory, Harlow, Maude Studio, Lois Hazel and Vincent Li.
MONDAY 5 MARCH – SATURDAY 10 MARCH, 5:30PM – 11PM
WHEN FASHION AND HUMAN BEHAVIOUR COLLIDE
Conversation
Ever wondered why we wear the things we wear, or shop the way we shop? Why does our style change, or how come we sometimes end up in a perpetual rut? In a world where everyone has become their own stylist, how much of what we dress in is really us? Australian Style Institute discuss the impact our psychology and habits influence the fashion industry on a 360-degree perspective of the fashion space. With a ‘no holds barred’ policy, you’ll leave the morning with learnings you can apply whether you’re a designer, blogger, stylist, student or just a fashion junkie.
SATURDAY 3 MARCH, 10AM – 1PM
FASHION AS A FORCE FOR GOOD
In a changing landscape, evolving brands are looking for ways to give back through partnerships with charity and social organisations. By doing just this, tech platform i=Change have impacted the lives of over 115,000 people in 14 countries, partnering with extraordinary brands who give back $1 from every sale.
In creating a new and innovative way for retailers to give back, i=Change has created a new funding stream for best-practice NGO’s, focused on women and girls’ empowerment. Learn from founder Jeremy Meltzer, why he started this powerful tech platform and hear from the brands about why they’ve committed to using fashion as a “force for good”, and their results.
RECYCLED DESIGNER RUNWAY
Independent Runway
With designer clothing pieces donated every day to their network of over 160 shops, the South Melbourne Red Cross Shop will be showcasing a Designer Fashion Runway in store featuring pre-loved designer pieces. There will be discount opportunities on the night for those who wish to purchase anything from the runway or store, with all funds raised going towards supporting the everyday work of Red Cross.Window installations of the Runway-ready looks will be displayed across the Red Cross shops including Richmond Bridge, Prahran, Swan Street, Collingwood and South Melbourne from March 1-18.
THURSDAY 15 MARCH, 6PM – 9PM (FREE EVENT)
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY FORUM
A panel of dynamic and inspiring speakers will provide plenty to think about over a breakfast panel conversation. The event calls upon all to help forge a better working world, a more inclusive gender equal world so women can continue to unleash their limitless potential.
Host: Nicky Briger – Editor, marie claire | Speakers: Dr Nikki Stamp – Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Liane Moriarty – Australian and International best selling author, Natasha Stott Despoja – Chair, Our Watch
THURSDAY 8 MARCH, 8AM – *SOLD OUT*
NOBODY DENIM LAUNDRY TOUR
Tour
Nobody Denim believes fashion innovation and ethics go hand in hand. For the first-time in its 19-year history, Nobody Denim invites visitors to walk its vertically integrated factory floor and experience where its iconic jeans are washed, dyed, distressed and more.Hosted by founder John Condilis and wash developer Sara Fletcher, the intimate tours will take place in Nobody Denim’s family built Denim Laundry, the home of its innovation, action and experimentation.
SATURDAY 17 MARCH, 11AM, 1PM, 3PM
THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY IS IN FASHION
Conversation
The fashion industry is experiencing a crisis of value. The linear industrial system of take, make and dispose does not deliver the love affair we should have with our wardrobe. There is a growing consciousness that neither wants to buy or make fashion that comes with such catastrophic environmental and human waste. But what is the alternative? How do we fashionably re-design future industry using the resources we currently have?Join the circle and participate in an evening of creative fashion activism, where The Possibility Project, Chalk ReDesign and WalkSewGood will engage you in ways to passionately reimagine solutions for a world that can be valuably and beautifully clothed.
THURSDAY 15 MARCH, 5:30PM – 8PM
RIBBON CRAFTS & BATIK WORKSHOPS
Performance and Experience
Kontiki Cultural Women Empowerment invites you to join their workshops on DIY Ribbon Flowers using unique Beads/grosgrain and Batik Ink tie-dye, allowing participants to experience the process of creating hand-made accessories. Kontiki Cultural Women Empowerment is a voluntary not for profit group from the Sierra Leone African and non-African communities. The group’s main goal is to build the capacity of women of all ages from refugee and migrant backgrounds to become self-sufficient and self-sustained.
TUESDAY 13 MARCH, 10AM – 4PM
RUNWAY SHOWS
Ethical Brands to Watch
GALA RUNWAY
RUNWAY 1
TUESDAY 6 MARCH, 7:30PM
- Our picks: bassike, Bianca Spender, Viktoria & Woods
RUNWAY 2
TUESDAY 6 MARCH, 9PM
- Our pick: Arnsdorf
RUNWAY 3
WEDNESDAY 7 MARCH, 7:30PM
- Our picks: Carla Zampatti, Manning Cartell
RUNWAY 4
WEDNESDAY 7 MARCH, 9PM
- Our picks: Grace Loves Lace, JASONGRECH
RUNWAY 5
THURSDAY 8 MARCH, 7:30PM
- Our picks: Misha Collection, Kate Sylvester, Sass & Bide
RUNWAY 6
SATURDAY 10 MARCH, 7:30PM
- Our pick: Lois Hazel
For the full list of designers exhibiting at VAMFF 2018, click here
CATWALK CLUB PRESENTS
Independent Runway – Student Designers
RMIT Catwalk Club are proud to present a comprehensive look at student work from junior and senior years at the School of Fashion and Textiles from the past year, encompassing screen-print, knitwear, womenswear, menswear, unisex, swimwear, streetwear and everything in-between.In addition to the best student work from all years and programs, a new exploration into fashion technologies will feature 3D virtual prototyped designs on video display.
THURSDAY 15 MARCH, 6PM – 9PM
EQUINOX V | VÊNUS
Independent Runway – R E M U S E
Vênus teleports attendees into the cosmic world of REMUSE through a runway performance of sight, sound, and scent. Vênus features the label’s Equinox V, or Autumn 2018 quarterly collection, the lookbook photography of Anthony Tosello and the artwork of select collaborative performance, sound and light artists. Through a showcase of ethical fashion and accompanying performance and visuals, Vênus explores how we must be mindful not to contribute to the continued heating of our atmosphere.SUNDAY 18 MARCH, 6PM
BUY TICKETS
R E M U S E is a Melbourne based clothing label where futurism meets nature. Fusing artisan techniques, low-impact dye technology, and natural fibers, R E M U S E investigates the ways the future of a fashion is simply fashion that takes inspiration from the earth. The philosophy behind the label is to create small, ethically produced, trans-seasonal collections, released quarterly at the time of each Equinox and each Solstice. Each collection gives R E M U S E an opportunity to reconsider its impact and material choices.
FUTURE CHAOS X FUTURE WILD
Independent Runway – COCO AND MAX
This multidisciplinary exhibition, held at the Brunswick Street Gallery, will represent two separate but coexisting characters, Coco – womenswear, and Max – menswear. Enjoy the two universes of light and dark, surreal pop x brutalist futurism. Each collection Coco and Max create is limited edition and ethically manufactured in Melbourne. Blurring the line between art and fashion, this exhibition will be used to introduce the public to the brand’s ethos of design, slow fashion and fair local trade.
This exhibition will run from 1 – 13 March. Opening night is Friday 2 March, from 6PM – 9PM, no RSVP required.
THURSDAY 1 MARCH – TUESDAY 13 MARCH
BORN 2 HUSTLE
Performance & Experience
Born 2 Hustle is a vision of anarchist couture brought to life by Emma Abrahams of Heart of Bone together with artist and designer Patrick Christie.The collection consists of upcycled vintage designer pieces that have been reborn and hand painted, embellished, customised, studded and encrusted with crystals. With an extensive career in the arts and fashion industry Emma Abrahams melts together gothic, rock, pop culture and fashion influences to create the spirit of Heart of Bone. Heart of Bone is worn by celebrities world-wide including Karl Lagerfeld, Jean Paul Gaultier, Dita Von Teese, Kelly Osbourne and many more. Christie, working predominately in dipping pen and ink, creates detailed still life works and couture garments. Christie’s works are in a number of esteemed private collections globally. His works are inspired by Dutch masters, taboos, beauty, pain, madness and decay.
THURSDAY 1 MARCH – SUNDAY 18 MARCH, 10AM – 4PM
LIMINAL STATE
Independent Artist
Hand Eye Collective presents Liminal State – a digitally projected installation of found garments that have been discarded, abandoned, rejected, forgotten, lost. An exploration through image, of clothing that has been left behind.Liminal State is a documentation over a number of months in different locations looking at clothing as found object while it exists in a liminal state – in between fashion and rubbish or reclamation. A cross-disciplinary approach using photography, digital projection, art and fashion where the viewer constructs their own narrative. The photographs document the garments as found. They are not arranged or touched in any way, then left as they were.
THURSDAY 15 MARCH, 6PM – 9PM
Looking for more? View the Full VAMFF Event Guide here: vamff.com.au/events
Buy Tickets: See individual events and Book through website at vamff.com.auKeep updated with the latest festival news & events:
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