Over 19 days, the Melbourne Fashion Festival will bring a range of runway, artistic and cultural events to Melbourne. We've picked out some of the best freebies at the fest.
For all details, visit vamff.com.au.
1. Fashion Film Series, Popcorn!
When: March 2
Where: Federation Square
A series of short fashion films by emerging and established film-makers are submitted for judging by a panel of industry professionals. Think of it like Tropfest for the fashion set.
Designers to feature in the flicks include Lucy Folk and Melbourne's own Kuwaii.
2. High Risk Dressing / Critical Fashion
When: Until March 18
Where: RMIT Design Hub, Building 100, Corner Victoria and Swanston Streets, Carlton
An exhibition of ideas and community focusing on contemporary fashion practice today through the lens of the Fashion Design Council, the body that cemented Melbourne's buzzing fashion scene.
3. Sequin Savvy
When: March 9 (RSVP required)
Where: State Library of Victoria, Swanston Street, Melbourne
An exhibition of calisthenics fashions from the mid-1800s, through the 1920s to today's lycra leotards. More fun than an Olivia Newton-John dress-up party.
4. Private Liaison
When: March 9 (RSVP required)
Where: The Atlantic, Crown Melbourne, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank
The launch of Melbourne-based lingerie label Private Liaison, which has featured on international runways for Chanel, Valentino and Dior.
5. Lisa Waup x VERNER
When: March 15-19
Where: Craft, 31 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Award winning Gunditjmara and Torres Straits Islander artist Lisa Waup and cutting edge Australian label VERNER collaborate to present a new collection which presents as both art and wearable garments and plays on concepts around gender, history and creativity.
6. Fashion Weekend
When: March 4-5
Where: various locations
Retailers in the City of Stonnington will play host to a weekend of special deals, installations and activations to encourage shoppers to the municipality's precincts, which stretch from Chadstone to South Yarra. Stores will be offering special discounts and deals for two days only.
The Melbourne Fashion Festival runs from March 1-19. Melissa Singer will join Clare Press to talk about Press' book, Wardrobe Crisis, at Readings St Kilda on March 11. This is a free event (RSVP required).