As we gear up for Melbourne Fashion Festival 2025, running from February 22 to March 8, we've curated your go-to list for all the runways, panels, and designers making a sustainable impact at this year’s festival!
Let’s Rewind
In 2024, RCYCL, led by our founder Belinda, partnered with Melbourne Fashion Festival to host The Future of Fashion: Using the Power of the Consumer event. With key contributions from Anne-Marie Cheney at eBay, Danielle Kent of Seamless, and Matt Davis from Salvos. Belinda shared valuable insights into the evolution of fashion, the urgent need for a sustainably driven future, and how we might empower consumers to seriously consider their impact.
Melbourne Fashion Festival 2025 Programme
This year, Melbourne Fashion Festival continues to spotlight the importance of sustainable practices across both its premium and independent runways and ‘Fashion Talks,’ with a strong emphasis on second-hand and upcycled fashion.
Runways
In alignment with RCYCL’s core values for circularity, accessibility and sustainability, we have hand-picked a selection of all the Melbourne Fashion Festival 2025 runway shows that best embody these principles.
Sustainability in Style
Thursday, February 27, 6:00 PM
Hosted by Melissa Leong with Mattia Hunter and Giulia Ferrari, co-founders of Love it Longer, and Jardan Furniture’s director, Nick Garnham, the Sustainability in Style event will explore the importance of sustainability in fashion and design. The panel discussion will be followed by a live runway showcasing pre-loved fashion, where attendees can purchase available pieces.
Fashion & Fauxtails
Friday, February 28, 6:00 PM
Featuring beautifully curated vintage and upcycled pieces from St Kilda’s Greeves St Op Shop, the Fashion & Fauxtails show will raise funds in support of the St Kilda Gatehouse. Attendees will enjoy complimentary food and drinks, as well as a silent auction for some of the higher-quality pieces showcased during the event.
National Graduate Showcase X Emporium Melbourne
Tuesday, March 4, 8:30 PM
While not inherently focused on sustainability, this exciting and whimsical National Graduate Showcase will allow attendees to appreciate the artistry and intricacy of handmade fashion while also reflecting on the significance of slow fashion in shaping a better future.
Back in Blak Runway
Thursday, March 6, 7:00 PM
The Back in Blak runway celebrates contemporary fashion enriched with First Nations culture, showcasing a selection of sustainably and ethically driven Indigenous designers and artisans. Key designers making a positive impact include Corin Corcoran, known for recycling fashion that would otherwise be discarded; sustainable swimwear brand Gali; and Yapa Mali, a ready-to-wear label inspired by First Nations art.
New Again Runway
Saturday, March 8, 7:00 PM
Featuring designers like Amy Cottrell, Chilali, and Mutual Muse, the New Again runway celebrates Australian designers who elevate the circular and upcycled fashion movement through artistic and innovative designs, giving discarded garments a second chance at life.
Fashion Talks
Fashion Talks: Circular Fashion Revolution
Presented by Museums Victoria, Tuesday, March 4, 4:00 PM
Sustainability Victoria will guide attendees through the necessity of industrial change and how Australia must lead the transition to circular business models and consumer behaviour in fashion. The panel will include writer and editor Maggie Zhou, Courtney Holm of Circular Sourcing, Jackie King of Remote Repairs, and Alice Payne, dean of the School of Fashion and Textiles at RMIT.
What’s next?
If 2025’s Melbourne Fashion Festival can teach us anything, it’s the importance of circularity and the beauty of reviving vintage fashion. Our hands are tools we may use to create and redefine lost pieces from our wardrobes or even recent second-hand discoveries.
While RCYCL can’t upcycle your clothes for you, we can guide you on your journey to becoming a circular consumer through our RCYCL or REWEAR satchels, which provide you with the opportunity to give your beloved items a lovely new beginning. Who knows, one of your once-loved pieces may even fall into the hands of the talented Corin Corcoran or any of the wonderful designers across Australia hoping to revitalise second-hand pieces.
Tickets for each Melbourne Fashion Festival event can be purchased at melbournefashionfestival.com.au. We can’t wait to see you there!
