C&G’s Guide to the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival

Local Community, Tips & Advice

Melbourne, it’s time to strut your stuff. The annual Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival is back from March 1-19! C&G have rounded up the best bits so you can plan your festival without missing a thing. 

From runway shows and art installations to serious retail therapy and hefty discounts, there’s something for every Melbourne fashionista at VAMFF 2017.

Fashion Events

Runway shows are the order of the day for many VAMFF fashion lovers, and each premium runway won’t disappoint. There’s also the National Graduate Showcase to help you discover emerging talent, the Sketch Runway exploring the fashion process from conception to execution and the debut showcase of much-anticipated lingerie brand, Private Liaison.

Browse all fashion events here.

Shopping Events

Fashion Weekend in Stonnington – hello, Baysiders – will see some of the best southside precincts getting into the VAMFF spirit with special in-store events and offers. The Armadale flagship store of popular label Assembly will be holding an intimate preview of their new collection along with styling tips, while Fool will be hosting a styling workshop at the Prahran store. Over at RMIT, a fashion showcase of work by university alumni will feature a luxury market, high tea and cocktails– perfect for a unique retail experience.

Browse all shopping events here.

Arts Events

Appreciating fashion in its rawest form, the VAMFF Arts Program goes beyond clothing and runways to examine the art forms behind the creation of iconic garments. The Fictional Characters, Fashion Icons show will look at how some of the best movie characters have become fashion greats in their own right, while the Fashion Film Series: Fibre and Fashion will celebrate Australia’s rich heritage through feature films. On the bill for exhibitions, the Blindside exhibition is set to showcase works from three artists, each delving deeper into the senses and how textures represent socialised masculinity.

Forums & Master Classes

For those keen to learn a thing or two about fashion media, commerce and the diversity of the industry, there’s plenty of forums and master classes coming up. The Ecommerce Masterclass hosted by Martin Newman explores how to create a global digital footprint for a brand, and how retail brands grow and evolve with the right strategies. You can also hear from some of fashion’s most powerful women, in the boldly refreshing seminar entitled How Fashion Can Empower Women – all while sipping on cocktails and nibbling at canapés, of course! One of the biggest events of VAMFF is the Fashion Law Breakfast with K&L Gates. Join experts in the industry to hear about the challenges facing global fashion brands and how these are dealt with in practice.

Browse all forums and master classes here.

Plaza

The Plaza is the place to be during fashion week. The Melbourne Museum Precinct will be transformed into the fashion festival hub, and there’s plenty to be seen – even if you don’t know your pinstripe from your flare! The Chandon S Bar will pop up to serve fashion-worthy bubbles, alongside the Lavazza coffee bar offering up more than your average skinny capp. From coffee-themed bevvies and sweet treats, you’ll have no excuse to leave early! The Plaza will also host the Priceline Pharmacy Festival of Beauty each night, where you can pick up beauty tips and gab with the experts.

Browse all Plaza events.

If you’re at a VAMFF, be sure to show the Chisholm & Gamon team what you’re up to on Twitter and Facebook.