By Jake Manton

All aboard as the 2018 Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival is ready for take-off! Melbourne’s annual celebration of style is back once again bigger, better and now the largest consumer fashion event in the world. All the action begins from 1 March and will continue at a high fashion altitude till 18 March.

To help plan your tailored VAMFF experience we have selected 10 of the hottest events to see this year!

Runway 1

Being a highly anticipated runway each year displaying the most sought after designers in Australia. This year will not disappoint with Bianca Spender, CAMILLA AND MARC, Dion Lee and Scanlan Theodore.

Tuesday 6^th March – 7:30pm. Royal Exhibition Building.
Tickets starting at $59. Details: www.vamff.com.au/event/runway-1

GQ Australia Menswear RunwayThis one’s all about the guys! Showcasing Autumn Winter must have pieces in street style, outwear and edgy suiting for the modern gentleman from key labels; Autonomy, bassike, Chris Ran Lin, Jac+ Jack, P.E NATION and presentation by: Strateas Carlucci. The runway is followed by a killer after party for the fashion minded crowd at Spice Market.

Fri 9 March, 9pm. Royal Exhibition Building.
Details: www.vamff.com.au/event/gq-australia-menswear-runway

The PlazaIs the place to be seen with your fashionable friends! Unwind and enjoy your night with refreshing beverages and trendy tapas from pop-up food venues. Key Highlights include; Asahi Festival Bar, Westfield Doncaster Kaleidoscope, Mercedes-Benz moment and premium dinning from Mr Miyagi (bookings required).

Free Entry.
Mon 5 – Sat 10 March, from 5.30pm. Royal Exhibition Building.
Details: www.vamff.com.au/plaza

Runway 2 
Displaying this season’s must have pieces from all time favourite Australian contemporary labels; Hansen & Gretel, Acler, Morrison and BY JOHNNY.

Tue 6 March, 9pm. Royal Exhibition Building.
Tickets from $59. Details: www.vamff.com.au/event/runway-2

Fashion Weekend in Stonnington This event is on every fashionista’s calendar for a shop-till-you-drop weekend in Stonnington. From Chapel St, High Street on Armadale to Toorak Village with a range of exclusive offers and in-store activities from brands including; Seed Heritage, JAGGAD, Megan Park, A-ESQUE, The Daily Edited and Assembly Label to name a few.

Sat 17 – Sun 18 March. Stonnington.
Details: www.vamff.com.au/fashion-weekend-instonnington

An Evening With: Women in MediaJoin a panel of high profile women discussing how they have achieved where they are in their successful careers and the challengers of the ever-changing media sector. The panel includes: Media icon Ita Buttrose along with Kellie Hush and Jackie Frank.

Thur 8 March, 5 – 7.30pm. Long Room, Immigration Museum.
Tickets at $89. Details: www.vamff.com.au/event/an-evening-with

Runway 4 – Exclusive Luxury BridalBack by popular demand showcasing the craftsmanship and talent of luxury Australian bridal from Brownlow favourite JASON GRECH and menswear suiting from Dom Bagnato and M. J Bale.

Wed 7 March, 9pm. Royal Exhibition Building.
Tickets from $59. Details: www.vamff.com.au/event/runway-4

High Tea presented by City of StonningtonAs a sold out event every year the popular High Tea designed by Peter Rowland is back. Spend the afternoon with close friends to view a range of contemporary collections from: Karen Millen, Anna Hoffman, Feathers, Diida, Lisa Barron and Megan Park.

Sat 17 March,  11am – 1pm & 2:30pm – 4:30pm. Malvern Town Hall.
Tickets $99 per show.  Details: www.vamff.com.au/event/high-tea/

Fashion Weekend RunwayA runway dedicated to unique labels showcasing their latest collections for the upcoming autumn/winter season. The line-up includes The Ark, Friends of Mine, Monte Establishment and Studio MG.

Tickets from $39. Sun 18 March, 1pm at Malvern Town Hall.
Details: www.vamff.com.au/event/fashion-weekend-runway

Future Chaos X Future Wild 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.

Let the fashionable fun begin – see you on the runway!