Time to get your style sorted as PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival returns!
The 10-day program of events features a fabulous line-up of live and digital runways, immersive partner activations, exhibitions, shopping experiences, conversations and inclusive social hubs. The program highlights fashion’s unique ability to cultivate a sense of unity at a time when we totally need it most. Head to their website to discover the full 2022 program: https://paypal.mff.com.au/program
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 6th March – 7:30pm. Royal Exhibition Building.
Tickets starting at $59. Details: www.vamff.com.au/event/runway-1
GQ Australia Menswear Runway
This 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 Plaza
Is 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 Media
Join 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 Bridal
Back 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 Stonnington
As 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 Runway
A 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.
FREE Event. This exhibition will run from 1 – 13 March.
Opening night is Friday 2 March, from 6PM – 9PM, no RSVP required.
Details: www.vamff.com.au/event/future-chaos-x-future-wild/
Let the fashionable fun begin – see you on the runway!
By Laura Rushworth.
The style dial was set to thrill at the GQ Australia Menswear Runway on Friday 17 March.
Set in the majestic Royal Exhibition Building, it was a highlight show as part of the packed schedule for the 2017 Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival. Let’s take a look at the key trends you’ll be wearing this autumn and winter.
The event kicked off with a dark and broody rock soundtrack evoking a sense of power and mystery.
Taking the runway by storm, Jack London presented an edgy line of grungy leather jackets styled with tartan checkered suits and a collection of dark knits, creating a polished look for the guys.
For the stylish gents, Dom Bagnato lived up to the hype and presented a vision of bold blue suits, illustrating his contemporary classic looks mixed with Italian style. This alluring line oozed charisma and stark sophistication, evident through his remarkable craftsmanship and tailoring.
Calibre delivered a collection of their recognisable signature elements, incorporating new contemporary pieces in their Fall/Winter line. Calibre’s premium fashion looks included leather biker jackets, the perfect tailored pants, checkered knits and silver zipped bomber jackets, offering the highest quality casual garments, through to their exquisitely made sharp suits.
Autonomy exposed their quality, superior fits and abiding style on the GQ Runway. Drawing their inspiration from timeless apparel pieces that are everyday essentials for the “IT” man, who seeks durable and long lasting pieces he can treasure. Some of these looks included navy blue jeans styled with a dark knit and trendy bomber jacket for a virile edge.
One designer that definitely spoke to the masses, was Arthur Galan’s collection that exuded directional street style and masculinity. His use of camo stood out with his new take of adding gold chunky zip detail on jackets and pants. The explicit skill and use of superior fabrics, definitely set him apart.
This show offered an intriguing vision on macho elegance, capturing viewers through cutting edge style and modern looks on the Runway. VAMFF wrapped up the shows end with an exciting strobe light effect display, exuding a strong finish to an efficacious evening.
By Laura Rushworth
It’s all about the BOYS! The GQ Menswear Fashion Runway has a killer designer lineup ready to rock the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival on Friday 17 March 2017. This runway will showcase a range of menswear that is set to impress including labels; Dom Bagnato, M.J. Bale, Arthur Galan AG, Calibre, Aquila AMXANDER, Jack London and Autonomy.
M.J. Bale will feature their 2017 Autumn collection, presenting their vision by correlating the past with the present, drawing inspiration from an era of hardship regarded as the ‘Golden Age of Elegance’ the 1930’s, mixed with the modern chic style of today.
Calibre is a pioneer in Australia’s fashion landscape and will bring impeccable style and taste to the Runway displaying the perfect autumn look for the perfect gentlemen.
Jack London will be showcasing their signature looks inspired by the British and European Mod Rocker scene of the 1960’s, with their classic tailoring being a synonymous element to the brand.
This evolutionary Fashion Runway will be the largest menswear designer line-up yet,with the freshest looks and trends to be shown off to the public eye. This night is also a celebration for the designers that will take you on a journey of suave fashion created to suit all occasions.
Followed by the GQ Menswear After Party at Spice Market, this is a night for the style seekers.
Purchase tickets here: www.vamff.com.au/event/gq-australia-menswear-runway/
We’re set for a massive showcase of style as the VAMFF Fashion Weekend In Stonnington kicks off 4/5 March 2017. There will be High Teas, Runway Shows and more than 30 Fashion Boutiques offering in store events and promotions. You have been warned events are selling out so get in quick – let’s take a look at some highlights…
Toorak Village’s leading fashion destination will be hosting a New Season Launch with bubbles and delicious treats in store on Sat 4 March. Join them to unveil all the new trends of Autumn/Winter 2017. 468 Toorak Rd, Toorak. Fabulous free event!
Zachary The Label will be leading the charge for the Weekend Fashion Runway at Malvern Town Hall on Sun 5 March. Their designs are in hot demand around the world , Kristin Cavallari, pictured, snapped in a gown on the red carpet at the 2017 Oscars. Tickets are about to sell out: https://vamff.com.au/event/fashion-weekend-runway/
Artist Market! Sagra Gallery will be hosting this wonderful cultural event. Wares for sale include a broad range of original and recycled vintage clothes, scarves and jewellery. In addition various stalls will have a great selection of artworks both original and reproduced for sale. Sat 4 March, 10am – 3pm. 256 Glenferrie Road, Malvern.
Meet and Greet! Leading fashion label RYDER will be offering a meet and greet with Design Director Penny Brown. She will be available for personal styling on Sat 4 Mar between 12pm-3pm. There will also be a free gift with purchase and refreshments served all weekend. 1073 High St, Armadale. Official Fashion Weekend In Stonnington Free Event.
Menswear alert! Throughout the Fashion Weekend shop the new season looks at M.J. Bale. 574A Chapel Street!
Attend a champagne shopping and styling session with DIIDA Designs founder and creative director Dimitria Papafotiou. Sat 4 March, 4pm – 6pm. 583 Chapel Street, South Yarra.
Head to the VAMFF website for all the info: www.vamff.com.au/event/fashion-weekend-runway/
I’ll be the roving report on the scene, for all my updates head to the Facebook Event page: www.facebook.com/events/1678542622439094/
Mr Fashion Man 