Geelong to host first regional arm of Melbourne

RUNWAY shows, fibre art exhibitions, millinery under the library dome and First Nations fashion installations will feature in a two-week celebration of style across Geelong.

The events form part of the newly launched Geelong Fashion Fortnight, a program running until February 28, with 16 unique events on offer. Most of them are free to attend.

It marks the first regional expansion of the Melbourne Fashion Festival, with exhibitions, workshops, markets and showcases staged at venues throughout the CBD, including the National Wool Museum and Murran First Nations Hub.

The festival aims to give local designers and makers, like Candy Brat, a larger platform to showcase their work to new audiences. Photos: SUPPLIED

Melbourne Fashion Festival chief executive Caroline Ralphsmith said the expansion aimed to connect metropolitan and regional fashion communities.

“We’re creating meaningful opportunities for local designers, makers and creatives to be showcased on a major platform, while inviting new audiences to engage with fashion in a distinctly regional context,” she said.

Highlights include a fibre art and fashion exhibition exploring textile practice at the National Wool Museum, a First Nations fashion showcase at Murran Hub, a millinery display installed beneath the Geelong Library & Heritage Centre dome and a collaborative runway presentation featuring local designers.

As part of the program, Creative Geelong will host a maker’s market on February 21 to showcase locally designed clothing and accessories, while Market Square shopfront windows will be transformed into public fashion displays celebrating contemporary regional designers.

Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj said the city was thrilled to partner with the Melbourne Fashion Festival in its first regional expansion.

“This collaboration felt like a natural fit and a meaningful way to recognise the strength of Geelong’s creative and design community,” he said.

L-R: The new two-week fashion festival was launched at the Geelong waterfront this week. Pictured is Melbourne Fashion Festival chief customer officer Clare Molesworth addressing attendees. With 16 events scheduled, organisers say the program is built to elevate and support the region’s fashion creatives.

“From our rich textile history, celebrated through the National Wool Museum, to the many contemporary fashion brands that have emerged from the region, Geelong has a strong and authentic fashion story to tell.”

For more information, or to view the full program, head to paypal.mff.com.au