Melbourne Fashion Week will see more than 10 First Nations designers take to the runway in October.
The popular fashion spectacle announced its full program this week for events across 21-27 October.
In addition to First Nations designers, the 2024 event will also welcome numerous Indigenous creatives from other realms including models, photographers, assistants and more.
The 2024 program of events includes city-wide runways, thought-provoking talks, exhibitions, workshops and more; with hype already surrounding the popular Ganbu Marra runway.
Kicking off Melbourne Fashion Week's opening night on 21 October, the Ganbu Marra runway spotlights extraordinary First Nations fashion talent. Taking place within Melbourne Museum, the runway event - now in its third year - celebrates the vibrant heritage and rich creative spirit of the world's oldest living culture.
Guests attending the runway will also be invited to view Piinpi: Contemporary Indigenous Fashion (created by the Bendigo Art Gallery and curated by Shonae Hobson) at Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre following the show.
Designers and brands showing in the 2024 Ganbu Marra runway include, Amber Days, Baluchay, Clair Helen, Gammin Threads, Ihraa Swim, LORE, MumRed, Take Pride Movement, Yanggurdi and Yarrenyty Arltere Artists.
Returning to the Ganbu Marra and MFW runway is First Nations designer, proud Yorta Yorta and Boonwurrung woman, Corina Muir. The talented designer is excited to be bring her label, Amber Days, back to MFW for yet another year.
"We're really excited about returning to Melbourne Fashion Week this year because we are in the Ganbu Marra runway. We were in the Ganbu Marra Runway runway, I think it was like two or three years ago, and it is always the most amazing, obviously, highlight of Melbourne Fashion Week. So, so excited to be in that runway," Muir told Style Up.
"Our messaging this year is all about our pieces empowering women to radiate and feel your best regardless of your cycle, pregnancy, post partum, perimenopause, or menopause, because our clothing is designed to move with your body, and celebrate it."
In addition to the Ganbu Marra runway, several First Nations designers will showcase in the week's other runway presentations. Other First Nations designers and brands heading to MFW this year include Ngali, House of Darwin, Wa-ring, Clothing The Gaps, Marra Collective, Grace Lillian Lee and Solid Orche.
Each bringing something new and niche to the MFW stage, in 2024 First Nations culture and creativity are bound to reignite MFW's popularity and support across not just the Indigenous community but Australian consumers and the broader public.
Creative director of First Nations clothing label Ngali Denni Francisco, will also take part in the MFW's Melbourne Conversations: Dopamine Dresser's discussion.
This event will profile the designers and influencers who go big with colour. In collaboration with Melbourne Conversations, this discussion strives to flip the script on Melbourne's monochromatic stereotype by spotlighting style icons who fearlessly embrace colour. From bold hues to intricate textures, these outfits are reflections of personal taste, identity, sub-culture affiliation and cultural diversity through colour and texture.
With the week-long event featuring over 300 designers across 100 events, The City of Melbourne is proud to fund and annually deliver MFW to position Melbourne as Australia's fashion capital, whilst also supporting the city's broader retail, arts, design and hospitality sectors.
MFW is renowned for showcasing emerging, independent, and established designer brands, driving strong visitation, retail sales and a significant economic impact to a range of businesses across the city.
MFW further connects runway to retail, with most looks featured in showcases and exhibitions available for purchase from local Melbourne retailers.
Melbourne Fashion Week 2024 will be held from Monday the 21st to Sunday the 27th of October 2024.
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