Whimsy and maximalism at its absolute peak.

You wouldn’t be wrong to say Sydney and Melbourne do fashion week very differently. Melbourne Fashion Week could be seen in many different ways, and I’m going to explore it in a way that respects the art of fashion.

Amongst the mayhem of the closing runway were designs reminiscent of what you’ll see on the catwalks of Schiaparelli, Thom Browne and, of course, Romance Was Born. Think Demna’s recent runways for Gucci, where the models walked slow, then fast, and carried coffee. Or Valentino’s “Antilibrary”, a show about high-minded literary philosophy and loud, spontaneous 80s maximalism.

Melbourne was out to celebrate, be seen and give absolutely no F%#ks about what one “should” do at a fashion show. And while the theatrics and drama were all anyone could talk about, beyond them was design, construction, balance, style and, well… fashion!

With the world as it is these days, luxury clutching at straws and the high street on repeat from one store to the next, some fashion anarchy is maybe exactly what we need. A reminder that fashion is an art and a skill, and that it should hold dear the expression of creativity.

The designers on the Melbourne Fashion Week Closing Runway

The Closing Runway: Wear The Moment was held on 25 October 2026 at 1 Hotel Melbourne in Docklands, styled by Karinda Mutabazi. The designers who sent it down the runway:

• Alessandro Lorenzo Greco | @babeitsalessandro
• AMISS | @amiss.online
• Amy Cottrell | @amycottrellofficial
• BAAQIY | @baaqiy
• Corde Couture | @corde_couture_
• Grace Lillian Lee | @gracelillianlee
• Lucinda Babi | @lucindababi
• Paris Jade Burrows | @parisjadeburrows
• Posture Studio | @posture_studio
• Réseau | @missreseau
• Saint Stella M | @the.official.saint.stella.m
• Sean Rentero | @seanrentero
• Suzaan Stander | @suzaanstander

Melbourne Fashion Week Closing Runway: the quick facts

When was the Melbourne Fashion Week 2026 Closing Runway?

Sunday 25 October 2026, closing out Melbourne Fashion Week.

Where was it held?

1 Hotel Melbourne, 9 Maritime Place, Docklands, Victoria.

Who showed on the Closing Runway?

Alessandro Lorenzo Greco, AMISS, Amy Cottrell, BAAQIY, Corde Couture, Grace Lillian Lee, Lucinda Babi, Paris Jade Burrows, Posture Studio, Réseau, Saint Stella M, Sean Rentero and Suzaan Stander.

Who styled the show?

Karinda Mutabazi.

All photography by Devin Wickered for Style Machine.