Melbourne Fashion Festival announces its Cultural agenda for early 2016

The Melbourne Fashion Festival Ltd. (MFF), the not-for-profit organization that owns and delivers the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival, is pleased to present a month-long Cultural Program of free and ticketed activities and events produced by the Festival, acclaimed arts and community organizations and creative individuals between 13 February – 13 March 2016.

With over 70 activities throughout locations in Melbourne, Regional Victoria and online, the program will cater to all age groups and interests with experiences that explore themes of fashion and style over three streams: the ‘Fashion Film Series’ Presented by RUSSH, the ‘Fashion Writing Series’, and the ‘Project Series’ which is made up of five distinct categories: ‘Art & Design’, ‘Film & Performance’, ‘Events & Experiences’, ‘Talks, Tours & Workshops’ and ‘For & by Youth’.

Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival CEO Graeme Lewsey shared the Festival’s dedication to stimulating the Australian arts industry.

“We are proud to present a curated program of fashion-inspired events and activities that offer an experience for consumers far beyond our runways which enables and supports a thriving creative industry made up of diverse disciplines,” said Lewsey.

Dedicated to the presence of fashion in contemporary culture, the Cultural Program extends the Festival and this year’s enriched schedule will leave participants and Festival-goers feeling inspired with several highlight events that include:

As part of The ‘Project Series’: National Gallery of Victoria presents 200 Years of Australian Fashion

A major exhibition celebrating two hundred years of Australian fashion and presenting more than 120 works from 90 designers.
Dates: 5 March – 31 July 2016
Location: The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square.

Bendigo Art Gallery and Twentieth Century Fox present Marilyn Monroe

An exclusive international exhibition celebrating the life and glamour of Marilyn Monroe through her iconic film costumes, personal style, original photographs and ephemera.
Dates: 5 March – 10 July 2016
Location: Bendigo Art Gallery

Eat My Style

Fashion-inspired dessert collaborations between local designers and award-winning dessert boutiques that will be available in-stores from February 2016.
Dates: 13 February – 13 March 2016
Participating Designers/Boutiques: LifewithBird X Bibelot, RACHELALEX X Lux Bite, Emma Mulholland X Zumbo and Limedrop X Burch & Purchese.

Burrimbi Dulgu Bajal (Rainforest and Sea Dreaming)

A creative fashion experience presented by the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) showcasing art, textiles, culture, adornment and performance by emerging Indigenous designers from Queensland’s far north.
Date: 4 March 2016
Location: The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia at Federation Square.

The ‘Fashion Film Series’ Presented by RUSSH

The leading platform in Australia for the exposure and recognition of emerging and established filmmakers in the local and global fashion industries. The top fashion films will be showcased at leading moving-image venues in Victoria, with select films touring alongside the new fashion documentary Jeremy Scott: The People’s Designer in conjunction with ACMI.
Dates: 13 February – 13 March 2016
Screening Locations: ACMI, Fed Square, Val Morgan Cinemas and online at RUSSH.TV

The ‘Fashion Writing Series’

A mentorship and workshop program developed to support creative talent within the writing, journalism and blogging disciplines. The consumer-facing ‘Fashion Writing Series Workshops’ will be hosted by experienced fashion writers and curators to offer valuable insights into the craft.