The Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival is back again for an annual celebration of fashion, arts, ideas and creative collaborations, running March 1st to 10th.
This year, organisers, passionate artists and labels have outdone themselves with a jam-packed festival of art, runways, DIY workshops, talks, shows and events. It is a testament to the time we’re in that there are more independent events with elements of sustainability, up-cycling and ethical values than ever before – we could cry with joy!
To help conscious consumers organise your back-to-back schedules, we’ve put together a concise list of the events we think are not to be missed;
Don’t Miss These Interactive and DIY Events at VAMFF 2019
or view the full event calendar – VAMFF.com.au/events
Can’t make it to the festival? Watch live feeds via on instagram or check out what we’re up to during the action via our feed.
NOTE: 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 inquiries.
What would you like to do?
I want to MAKE something (See 1-7)
I want to WATCH something interactive (See 8-10)
I want to SWAP and recycle (See 11 & 12)
MAKE something
There’s nothing more satisfying than getting your hands dirty and coming home with you’re own piece of sustainable fashion, and the sense of appreciation that can’t be bought.
Check out these hands-on experiences, and click the links for more info or tickets.
1. TROPICAL FLORAL EMBROIDERY CLASS
Workshop
Join the team behind Khòlò and the Windsor Workshop to create your own tropical floral embroidery while learning about the history of tambour beading, being taught the basic techniques
Walk away with everything you need to complete a tropical flower, a how-to-guide with further resources and a very, special goodie bag.
SATURDAY 2 MARCH, 2PM – 5.30PM
Find tickets here.
2. LEARN TO SEW YOUR OWN FASHION STATEMENT
Workshop/Class
Presented by the Thread Den, this 3 day course is the perfect starting place for any aspiring designer or person looking to make their own clothes.
Starting from the very beginning students will get an understanding of the sewing machine and techniques. Over the three weeks you will learn terminology and tools, reading sewing patterns, begin to understand the importance of fabric selection and much much more.
Students make will make three items as they put all they learn into practice.
WEDNESDAY 6 MARCH – SUNDAY 10 MARCH, 6PM
Find tickets here.
3. FROM SKETCH TO SAMPLE
Workshop/Class
Are you a young or emerging designer? Want to learn the tricks of the trade from industry professionals? In this three part workshop, learn how professional designers develop their ideas, create patterns and work with manufacturers, to create high end fashion pieces. Each workshop will give you an opportunity to hone practical fashion making skills to help turn your amazing ideas into reality. Designed for VCE students and recent graduates, these workshops industry professionals will teach practical skills for creating a fashion empire.
Proudly supported by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and Melbourne Museum as part of Top Designs 2019.
SATURDAY 9 MARCH, 2PM – 4PM
4. JAPANESE TEXTILE SUSTAINABLE BAG-MAKING
Workshop
Hosted by the Social Studio, Mikan is an accessories brand giving new life to precious antique Japanese textiles, transforming them into contemporary, functional pieces.
This hands-on experience presents an opportunity to reconsider rampant consumerism and waste, making your own up-cycled, unique piece of fashion. You will leave the workshop with a highly-covetable new accessory, while gaining valuable insight into the production process, and join Mikan in ensuring past beauties still have a place in our modern lives.
FRIDAY 8 MARCH – SUNDAY 10 MARCH –
10AM – 6PM FRIDAY & SATURDAY, SUNDAY CLOSING EVENT 7PM – 9PM
Find tickets here.
5. CREATE YOUR OWN UP-CYCLED “LEWKS”
Workshop
Fashion and textile designers Gun Shy & String Designs offer a fabulous, fun, and playful up-cycling workshop for young people aged 13 – 25. Using Gun Shy’s delicious fluffy, fake fur fabrics, as well off-cuts gleaned from some of Melbourne’s hottest independent designers, you will transform an array of op shop garments into daring wearable art pieces and cool fashion lewks.
Guided by the wild and wonderful minds behind Gun Shy & String Designs, you will be encouraged to think outside the box and embrace unlikely objects and materials. Learn new sewing, manipulation and rudimentary textile printing techniques that you can run away and play with.
SATURDAY 2 MARCH – SUNDAY 3 MARCH, 11AM – 4PM
Find tickets here.
6. FABRIC PRINTMAKING FUN
Workshop
Join this easy to learn printing workshop where you will create a relief block to produce prints on fabric using recycled materials, quality inks and your own inspiration. No previous design or printing experience required, fun for everyone.
The beauty of the workshop, part of ‘Strutt Your Stuff Darebin 2019’, is that you will experience all you need to know to be able to do this activity again and again to produce more beautiful prints at home. We will use materials suitable for all ages and abilities, making this a very accessible activity. No previous printing experience required, just an interest in trying something new and willing to explore your creativity and have fun.
SATURDAY 2 MARCH, 1PM – 3PM
Find tickets here.
7. BATIK PRINTMAKING WORKSHOP
Workshop
In this workshop, you will learn the process of creating hand-made accessories, batik print and tie-dye techniques. It delves into the creation and construction of traditional garments and the social values they translate into. The workshop teaches the participants clothing designs using the batik fabric painting and tie-dye techniques. Learn how to develop, present design concepts, sew prototypes and create garments all the way through to the completion stage.
This event is presented by Kontiki Cultural Women Empowerment in partnership with Skilling Employment and Aid Enterprises Australia (SEAEA).
MONDAY 4 MARCH, 10AM – 4PM
Find tickets here.
WATCH something interactive
Immerse yourself in these interactive exhibitions, pop-ups and viewings as a relaxing way to learn.
8. FAST FASHUN SHOWCASE
Exhibition / Sustainable Fashion Experience
A tonne of clothing, otherwise destined for landfill, has been salvaged and a ‘Fast Fashun’ wonderland in a giant cube behind the Art Centre is waiting for you to explore.
Artists Tenfingerz and Sebastian Berto are back and hosting this free experience – An interactive, educational – DIY or DIE – fashion show! Designers are on hand to help you resurrect an ensemble and a runway show will happen every hour on the hour. Open to all ages and all skill levels. Audiences are welcome to just view the sculptural installation and the runway shows, or participate in up-cycling the fashion waste assisted by local costume, fashion and art makers. More info here.
SATURDAY 2 MARCH – SATURDAY 9 MARCH, 12PM – 6PM (SATURDAY ONLY)
9. AFC CURATED POP-UP
Pop-Up Marketplace
Browse or shop Australia’s most promising design talent under the one roof for a limited time this March at the prestigious shopping destination; Emporium Melbourne. Discover some of Australia’s most exciting new labels, meet the designers in person and support our local talent. Hand selected from across the country by the Australian Fashion Council, these labels represent a diverse range of craftsmanship and design expertise.
AFC Curated, is a unique program from the Australian Fashion Council (AFC), built to support local emerging labels to become robust and sustainable businesses through mentorship, business development workshops and retail activations.
THE LABELS.
Allora | Autark | Avila | Blue & Grae | Cedar & Onyx | Gehrich | G Terlato | Guerrilla Theatre Brand | Isabelle Quinn | Ivi Made | Laura Keogh | Lindsay Nicholas New York | Oneiric | Revel Knitwear | Salty Fox | Silent Arrow | West 14th
FRIDAY 1 MARCH – SUNDAY 17 MARCH, SAT – WED 10:00AM – 07:00PM, THURS – SUN 10:00AM – 09:00PM
More details here.
10. FASHION FILM AWARD SCREENING
Film Screening & Discussion
The 2019 Fashion Film Award presented by Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival (VAMFF) and RUSSH Magazine is the longest-running and leading platform in Australia for the exposure and recognition of creative talent in the local and global fashion film industries.
Ten Fashion Film Award 2019 winning films will be screened along with discussion with the filmmakers considering the topic of Fashion Film as a genre, and exploring the ongoing negotiation between art and fashion.
SATURDAY 2 MARCH, 8 – 9:30PM
Find tickets and further details here.
11. GLOBAL FASHION EXCHANGE
Fashion Swap Event
Global Fashion Exchange (GFX) and The Clothing Exchange are coming to Plaza Block Party to save your clothes from landfill and swap your wardrobe.
Bring up to 5 fabulous items that you would give your friend and be ready to find a whole new wardrobe. Drop off your items after 12pm and the swap is open from 1pm-3pm at The Plaza grass.
In partnership with The Clothing Exchange.
SATURDAY 9 MARCH, 12PM – 3PM
More details here.
12. STYLE SWAP
Fashion Swap Event
Bunjil Place is prepared for a day of sustainable, fashionable fun and everyone’s invited! Update your look at Style Swap – an opportunity for fashion lovers to think sustainably and swap their no-longer-fave pieces for someone else’s underappreciated treasures.
Not ready to swap? Stay for the panel session with fashion specialists, recycled jewellery workshop, pop-up fashion showcases, styling demonstrations, food trucks and live music.
SUNDAY 10 MARCH, 10AM – 3PM
Event details may be subject to change without notice. View the Full VAMFF Event Guide here: vamff.com.au/events
Event images credit and copyright remain with their respective owners.
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1 Comment
Is Australian Fashion Week Sustainable or Ethical? – Ethical Fashion Review™ · 14 May 2019 at 5:32PM
[…] at retail fashion extravaganza, Melbourne’s VAMFF Fashion Festival, there are now literally hundreds of events incorporating diversity, inclusivity, sustainable and ethical fashion like workshops, art shows, […]
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