The fashion week changes that will make Australian history, twice

Indigenous design has often played a supporting role at Australian fashion weeks. But that is set to change when Melbourne Fashion Week opens next month with an all-First Nations opening-night runway, focused on emerging brands.

Denni Francisco, whose label Ngali staged the first solo runway by an Indigenous designer at Australian Fashion Week in Sydney in 2023, says opening MFW with the Ganbu Marra (One Community) parade “further solidifies the recognition of First Nations creativity, not as an act of inclusion, but as a rightful and vital part of our national fashion industry”.

Melbourne Fashion Week ambassador G Flip (second from left) with models wearing local designers, including Indigenous brand Ngali (left).Credit: Simon Schluter

“Every year in every way, the momentum continues to grow, and I am so excited by all the space and potential ahead,” says Francisco, whose collection will feature in a runway alongside other established brands such as Bianca Spender, Gary Bigeni and Gail Sorronda.

In a second historic decision, MFW’s 2024 ambassador is Melbourne-born musician G Flip, who is the first non-binary face of the event, which is celebrating its 30th iteration.

G Flip says fashion helped shape their gender identity throughout their adolescence and since coming out as non-binary about four years ago.

“Growing up, there were clothes I felt more comfortable in my skin wearing, and clothes that I didn’t,” they say. “There was definitely a stage in my life when I was trying to conform to what, you know, a 16-year-old girl should have been wearing, and I hated it. I didn’t feel comfortable in my own skin.”

G Flip is married to Chrishell Stause, who stars on the Netflix real estate show Selling Sunset. They say that although they have quite a different style to their wife, there is some common ground. “There is our loungewear, so our tracksuits we share. If [my wife] wants something comfortable around the house, she will steal one of my band T-shirts ... but I am not about to go wearing any of her corsets.”

The two-times ARIA-winning musician, who will perform at the closing runway, wore an Australian designer, E Nolan, to their wedding to Stause. They are keen to explore other designers at MFW including Reigner, a runway favourite known for its embellished suit jackets with a Western twist.

Melbourne Fashion Week launched in 1995 as a consumer fashion event to drive retail traffic and sales in the central business district.

Nicholas Reece says that if he is re-elected as Melbourne lord mayor (the ballot closes on October 26, during MFW), he will continue to grow the fashion industry, particularly independent designers, in the city centre.

“We recognise they make Melbourne unique and make Melbourne a true destination for people who are interested in fashion and style,” he says.

30 years of MFW: Program highlights

• Monday, October 21: Ganbu Marra (First Nations) runway, Melbourne Museum. Featured designers: Amber Days, Baluchay, Clair Helen.
• Wednesday, October 23: Volvo Electric Runway, Queen Victoria Market. Featured designers: Atoir, Chris Ran Lin, Godwin Charli, Par Moi.
• Friday, October 25: Fashion x Underground, Melbourne Town Hall. Featured designers: INJURY, Posture Studios, REMUSE.
• Saturday, October 26: Refined Edit Runway, Melbourne Town Hall. Featured designers: Asiyam, Bianca Spender, Gail Sorronda.

Reece says Melbourne has the lowest retail vacancy rate of any capital city centre in Australia, despite several recent closures.

Melbourne Fashion Week runs from October 21 to 27. mfw.melbourne.vic.gov.au.

Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.