Runway Rundown
Insights from the National Designer Award show at the Melbourne Fashion Festival and tips for attending your first fashion event.
A look at the runway inside the Royal Exhibition Building from March 4th, 2025. Photographed by Lucas Dawson via David Jones Blog. © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
The first week of March 2025 brought with it the Melbourne Fashion Festival. Hundreds of people from across the country gathered at the Royal Exhibition Building in central Melbourne for one of the festival's first shows, the National Designer Award showcase. The works of 10 up-and-coming Australian designers were displayed in competition for the prestigious award, as well as people’s choice and sustainability accolades. As a lifelong fashion fan and first-time catwalk attendee, this showcase acted as a way to experience several bite-sized shows in quick succession. Each designer only had a few looks to make their mark before turning over the runway to their competition. These rapid-fire displays created versatility within the showcase, keeping the 1,500 audience members consistently hungry for more.
From Left to right looks from sustainability award winner Hyph-N, National Designer award winner Amy Lawrence, and people’s choice award winner Lovaan Studios. Photographed by Lucas Dawson, images via David Jones Blog. © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
The show brought everything from the delicate papery fabrics of Amy Lawrence to the elevated graphic T-shirts of Alix Higgins to the artistic adaptations of business wear from Christopher Hrysanidis. As such, the looks from the audience ranged from sequined mini dresses to a leather harness strapping a large teddy bear to the back of the wearer. As a university student trying to cut costs wherever I can, my seats in the back row allowed a full view of the audience as well as the runway. This being my first fashion event, I took as many notes as I could so as to be better prepared for next time, which I will now share with you! First tip, and probably the most obvious, is to go all out on your outfit! A runway event, especially one with multiple designers, is your chance to wear the daring piece you’ve been waiting to wear. As a foreign exchange student in Australia, I was limited to the pieces in my suitcase, which brings me to my second tip, shop your closet! Unfortunately, I did not bring every item of clothing I have overseas with me, but this event provided a great opportunity to style pieces I already had in ways I hadn’t thought to try before. Next up, arrive early! The event is more than just a runway, and you’re going to want to have time to explore any art installations or refreshment options that are going on. (And of course, take a million photos in your outfit). Finally, bring a notebook and pen. While I usually take notes on my phone, my camera was open the entire time so I could snap quick photos, so a notebook came in handy for jotting down details from a collection that I wanted to remember later.
Models in Liandra’s Spring/Summer collection backstage photographed by Danielle Castano via Instagram. © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
The National Designer Award show was the perfect introduction to the world of runway. The small but passionate audience gave the event an energized atmosphere without being overwhelming. Overall, it left me excited for the next event I attend and armed with the knowledge on how to have an even better experience in the future.
