Melbourne Fashion Festival Runway Highlights

Showstoppers and glamour galore — as Paris and Milan rolled out another season of the Fashion Month with its signature grandeur, the sartorial spotlight also turned to the southern hemisphere where Australia's creative energy glided through the lens of design. The iconic Paypal Melbourne Fashion Festival ushered in a wave of excitement as a myriad of homegrown talent set up an electrifying celebration, reinstating on a global stage that Australian fashion is thriving and boldly redefining modern style codes. Over 100 curated events—including thought-provoking talks with established panelists, immersive exhibitions, and dynamic showcases—the Festival offered a considered platform for both emerging and established designers. Among the spotlight were forces of fashion spearheading sustainability and the next generation of visionary fashion brands poised to lead the fashion industry into the new chapter.

In attendance this season was Glam Steals, representing as a proud fashion house amidst a constellation of Australia’s most coveted labels. Known for its curated collections of premium luxury at accessible prices, Glam Steals took to the runways and networking forums, developing connections with designers and fashion insiders alike. We now note down the direction of the season with trends and moments that made waves on the runway with a recap of the latest edition.

The 2025 Melbourne Fashion Festival stood as a testament to the city’s sartorial prowess—a masterclass in blending the theatrical with the refined, and the emerging with the established. Glam Steals became an integral part of its unfolding narrative and got the opportunity to witness fashion's future.

The culmination of ensembles women's wear and men's wear showcased at the fashion week was a spectacle of cutting-edge designs and captivating themes. Pushing the boundaries of traditional tailoring, Menswear Edit Runway showcased an elevated mix of styles from leading designers, including Brother Wolf, Chris Ran Lin and Christian Kimber, Godwin Charli. Brands like Joseph & James, Mr. Cuff, and Two.One blurred line between trend-focused and trans-seasonal dressing with their signature cool-guy aesthetic. The segment also featured uber-cool runway debuts from Miguel Maestre.

Romantic silhouettes had a moment on the runway with sensuous drapes, voluminous flare and ornamentation with a flair for after-dark hours. Couture brilliance took center stage with Alin Le’ Kal, Capellazzo Couture, Con Ilio, Mariam Seddiq, Van Der Kooij, Vivienna Lorikeet, and Zhivago. Collections featured handcrafted midi dresses adorned with thousands of pearls and sequins, along with intricate drapes and sheer elements. Romantic silhouettes had a moment on the runway with sensuous drapes, voluminous flare and ornamentation with a flair for after-dark hours. Couture brilliance took center stage with Alin Le’ Kal, Capellazzo Couture, Con Ilio, Mariam Seddiq, Van Der Kooij, Vivienna Lorikeet, and Zhivago. Collections featured handcrafted midi dresses adorned with thousands of pearls and sequins, along with intricate drapes and sheer elements. 

The Resort Glam Runway brought postcard-perfect fashion to life, from flouncy dresses to impeccably tailored separates. Designers reimagined floral and tropical prints for picturesque getaways and statement evening looks by the sea. Featured resortwear designers included Banded Together, Clea, Husk, Joslin with an eclectic array of fluid silhouettes inspired by the small pleasure of life—lounging and letting go. The artfully-fueled designs by Madre Natura, Oroton, Roame, Sarrita King x Edition, Third Form, and Viceta Wang came in a spectrum of colours and effortless fits to take you from weekend brunches to long haul flights and night outs. 

Glam Up Runway was all for globally-savvy silhouettes at the fashion festival, spruce with embellishments and innovative cuts. The exquisite lineup presented by couture powerhouses Alin Le’ Kal, Capellazzo Couture, Con Ilio, Mariam Seddiq, Van Der Kooij, Vivienna Lorikeet, and Zhivago. Meanwhile, some torchbearers of sustainability brought the essence of mindfulness to the runway with a masterclass in thoughtful glamour. The New Again runway brought forward a lineup of mindful brands like Amy Cottrell, Chilali, Mutual Muse, Perple, Sabatucci, Saigey, Swop, Szn, Toile Studios. Women Forces of fashion took the spotlight with F*** The Invisible Runway, featuring our incredible women of achievement like Alpha 60, Carl Kapp, Etal, Gary Bigeni, Jason Grech, Kara Baker, Lisa Barron, Mastani, Nobody Denim.

Acknowledging eco-credentials as an ethical step for our society, the final day of the fashion festival also brought together a panel of trailblazers who live and breathe social responsibility. Alexander Smart and Jeremy Meltzer spoke about the social impact of mindful shopping with the slogan —”Shop Your Values”. Jeremy Meltzer highlighted the importance of associating yourself with purposes you reckon with and taking the approach of product-to-purpose rather than product-to-promotion.

Also headlining the inspiring conversation on the future of responsible fashion was Bianca Spender, who underlined the need to make mindfulness a part of our manifesto to do our bit for the people and the planet. At the Australian Fashion Business Lunch, Alexander Smart led the discussion on "Building a Brand with Purpose," joined by Deborah Sams and Michael Ellas, who championed the kind of soul-searching that will inspire many brands to embrace a more resourceful and mindful approach to fashion.

Beyond the official program, Melbourne’s streets served as an open-air gallery of self-expression. The city’s renowned street style scene delivered an inspired display of contrasts—delicate lace juxtaposed with sharp tailoring, fluid asymmetrical hems paired with precise menswear silhouettes, and a sophisticated embrace of tonal dressing, often rendered in Melbourne’s beloved all-black palette. The looks reflected a deep understanding of transseasonal dressing, perfect for the transition into autumn.

As the 2025 PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival came to a close, it left behind a powerful narrative that extended far beyond the runway. This year’s edition was a celebration of craftsmanship, innovation, and purpose, reaffirming Melbourne’s place as a global fashion capital with a uniquely Australian spirit. The collections on show were more than just visual spectacles; they embodied a thoughtful dialogue between tradition and modernity, blending couture techniques with contemporary silhouettes and future-facing concepts. From the ethereal draping and intricate handwork of couture powerhouses to the effortless ease of resort wear designed for the modern traveller, the runways delivered an inspired mix of elegance and wearability. The celebration of diversity in both design and storytelling was palpable, as emerging labels stood shoulder-to-shoulder with established names, each offering a distinct point of view. Sustainability took center stage, not as an afterthought but as an integral part of many collections and conversations. Designers and industry leaders underscored the importance of mindful production and ethical consumption, ushering in a shift that feels less like a trend and more like a movement.

Off the runways, Melbourne’s streets came alive with personal style moments that reflected the city’s reputation for sartorial experimentation. As attendees embraced transseasonal layering, tonal palettes, and bold accessories, they reinforced the festival’s role as a hub of creativity and self-expression. The 2025 edition wasn’t just about what we wear next—it was a statement on how fashion can shape a more conscious, connected world.