The city’s most well-dressed time of year is here—PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival (MFF) is back with a two week program taking over Naarm from 14 to 28 February. This year marks a major milestone for the festival—30 years of championing local and international labels and bringing together Melbourne’s fashion-lovers to celebrate creativity and couture.
The MFF 2026 programme is set to be huge, with more emerging and established Aussie designers than ever before, the return of the much-loved Independent Progamme and the brand-new Geelong Fashion Fortnight.
These are the runways, workshops and events we’re most exited about for MFF 2026.
Joywear Runway
The first of two runways opening the festival, the Joywear Runway celebrates all things colour, self expression and maximalism. Showcasing the mood-lifting power of fashion, it’s set to be a big, bold and beautiful night of inspiration and joy.
THE DETAILS:
When: 6:45pm, Monday 23 February
Where: Royal Exhibition Building, 9 Nicholson Street, Carlton
Get your tickets here.
Melbourne Noir Runway
In direct contrast to the Joywear Runway is the Melbourne Noir Runway, here to prove that even the boldest of looks can be achieved with no colour at all, in an ode to Melbourne’s unofficial all-black uniform.
Wile the show might lack the colour of the Joywear Runway, it’s set to be just as impressive in its creativity, with silhouettes, textures and a little drama coming together in showstopping looks.
THE DETAILS:
When: 8:30pm, Monday 23 February
Where: Royal Exhibition Building, 9 Nicholson Street, Carlton
Get your tickets here.
National Graduate Showcase
Always a festival highlight, the National Graduate Showcase spotlights the top 12 graduate designers from Australia’s leading fashion design institutions. Having risen to the top in a nationwide pool of candidates, and selected by a highly esteemed industry judging panel, the graduates offer some of the most interesting and innovative designs seen at the festival.
THE DETAILS:
When: 8:30pm, Tuesday 24 February
Where: Royal Exhibition Building, 9 Nicholson Street, Carlton
Get your tickets here.
Beyond Black Runway
A celebration of culture and storytelling, the Beyond Blak Runway showcases work from an incredible cohort of First Nations designers and artisans. Curated by Mob in fashion, it’s a show that champions creative expression, cultural leadership and career progression for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander talent.
Seamlessly blending First Nations heritage with contemporary design, the Beyond Black honours fashion’s deep-rooted connection to Country and community.
THE DETAILS:
When: 7pm, Wednesday 25 February
Where: Royal Exhibition Building, 9 Nicholson Street, Carlton
Get your tickets here.
F*** The Invisible Runway
Rejecting an all-too-common attitude to aging women is the F*** The Invisible Runway. While society often treats women as invisible as they age, this runway fearlessly shows us that fashion can be fabulous, edgy, and just the right level of in-your-face for women of all ages.
THE DETAILS:
When: 7pm, Friday 27 February
Where: Royal Exhibition Building, 9 Nicholson Street, Carlton
Get your tickets here.
New Again: Metamorphosis Runway X Savers
Sustainable fashion is key to a sustainable future, and the New Again: Metamorphosis Runway X Savers is here to prove that it doesn’t have to boring. Through repurposing and upcycling pre-loved pieces from Savers, experimental designers are pushing the boundaries of secondhand shopping, with creative solutions to excess landfill caused by an oversaturated industry.
THE DETAILS:
When: 7pm, Saturday 28 February
Where: Royal Exhibition Building, 9 Nicholson Street, Carlton
Get your tickets here.
Make A Baguette Bag (Two-Day Intensive)
The newly launched simétrie school is here to teach you to make your very own Bay Baguette bag—an exclusive design available only through the school curriculum.
You’ll learn traditional bag construction, from leather selection to panel cutting, saddle-stitching and final burnishing from founder Simone Agius. No experience required and all tools and materials provided, it’s the perfect opportunity for anyone looking to expand their hands-on crafting skillset.
THE DETAILS:
When: 9am–3:30pm, Saturday 14 and 21 February
Where: simétrie school, 7–11 Dawson Street, Brunswick
Get your tickets here.
Fashion Film Awards Screening
The official premiere screening of the 2026 Fashion Film Awards will showcase a collection of films submitted from makers around the global, chosen by a highly-esteemed panel of industry judges.
Guests won’t just get to watch the films, they’ll also see the live announcement of the winners of Best Fashion Film, Best Student Fashion Film and Best Australian Fashion Film. An exciting merging of art forms set to inspire creativity and encourage conversation.
THE DETAILS:
When: 7pm, Friday 20 February
Where: The Capitol, 113 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Get your tickets here.
This Is Not A Shoe
In this unique workshop and exhibition, contemporary jeweller Pennie Jagiello and footwear researcher Dr Alexander Sherlock invite guests to memorialise their most significant footwear through creative transformation. Over the course of a full day workshop, you’ll get to share stories, connect with other guests, enjoy refreshments and lunch and most importantly: transform your favourite, no-longer-wearable pair of shoes into wearable jewellery and accessories, offering them new life and giving you the opportunity to continue using them in your everyday life.
THE DETAILS:
When: Workshop 10am–4pm, Saturday 21 February and exhibition–28 February
Where: The Abbotsford Convent, Pennie Jagiello Studio 7, Sacred Heart Courtyard, 1 St. Heliers St, Abbotsford
Get your tickets here.
Check out the full Paypal Melbourne Fashion Festival program over here.
Imagery credit: Paypal Melbourne Fashion Festival | Website
