An Ethical & Sustainable Fashion Show is Happening at VAMFF 2019

Identity Runway at Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival

Kira Simpson

A celebration of all that is great about Australian fashion, The Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival is back for 2019.

Kicking off the week-long fashion festivities is The Fashion Advocate runway. IDENTITY is about showcasing local ethical and sustainable fashion brands while shifting public perception and educating people on the importance and the impact of slow and responsible fashion.

We’re giving away two double passes to the show – details at the end.

Images via The Fashion Advocate

VAMFF ethical fashion runway

The ethical fashion runway will be held on the gorgeous grounds of Como House; a conservation organisation owned by the National Trust of Australia. Fashion Advocate founder and the show’s organiser Claire Goldsworthy is a self-confessed vintage nut. She chose this venue because “the history side of Como House aligns with the event. A little bit of Melbourne’s manufacturing industry and fashion identity lives inside those walls, and the National Trust of Australia wants to start sharing it.

Pre-show festivities begin at 4pm with cocktails, food trucks, and designer meet and greets.

“The Garden Party is an opportunity for people to connect, meet, and speak with our runway designers. Slow fashion is all about the story behind it, and the intent of the design. All of our runway designers are incredible people, and when you know the people who make your clothes, you value them more. I wanted to create an open atmosphere where the usual ‘exclusive fashion’ rules didn’t apply. I want good fashion to be attainable; I want people to know their clothes inside and out, and know the designers behind them, so we’re bringing everyone together for a little bit of fun before the show!

Who’s showing?

Expect a fantastic lineup of Australian designers who are serious about helping make ethical and sustainable the norm rather than the niche.

There’s a feeling you get at runways that I don’t think you can get anywhere else. There’s something truly magical about that moment; when you see a range before you on models, the music is thumping and you can feel the buzz in the air, photographers are snapping… It’s really hard to describe, but it’s just an amazing feeling. Everyone leaves their differences at the door and comes together for the fashion – to support each other. We’re all connected in the one space, for the same purpose, and I think that’s a beautiful thing, and I want to be a part of that. I hope that other people want to be a part of that too. And, it’s just going to be a really fun night! People who know The Fashion Advocate runways know that they’re a lot of fun; the fashion is incredible, the people are great, and the more people that come together in the name of good fashion – the greater impact we can have. “

VAMFF ethical fashion runway

The details

WHEN: Saturday 2nd March 2019. Join us for an afternoon garden party at 4pm and meet and greet our designers, and enjoy a sunset runway starting at 6pm. 
WHERE: 
Como House, Conner of Williams Road and Lechlade Avenue, South Yarra, 3141. If it rains (which it won’t), we’ll be moving to Old Melbourne Gaol, and you’ll be notified by 10am on the morning of the runway.
UPDATES: Follow daily updates via our Facebook event here.
TICKETS:
 $89 each available here, which include a front row seat, four-hour drinks package and a VIP gift bag full of ethical and sustainable treats from local brands and businesses.

“I am so excited for this year’s runway. It’s been two years since the last TFA runway, and I needed it, and I’ve come back onto the VAMFF runway circuit feeling more inspired, more passionate, more motivated than ever!” – Claire Goldsworthy

Want to win tickets?

We’re giving away 2 VIP double passes so you can bring a friend! Enter below.

Kira Simpson

Kira Simpson is an environmentalist and sustainability expert. She started The Green Hub as a blog in 2015, which has since grown to become one of Australia’s largest education sites dedicated to helping people live a more sustainable lifestyle.