As the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival marks its 30th anniversary, the city’s most stylish set gathered to open the celebrations with the Premium Runway Series on Day 1, and a striking tribute to Melbourne’s enduring love affair with black.
The who’s who of the fashion world arrived in head-to-toe noir to align with the 8pm runway theme, prompting the age-old question: Do Melburnians only wear black? If so, we’re proudly playing into the stereotype.
Known as one of the world’s ‘Noir capitals’, Melbourne adopted the all-black aesthetic as its unofficial uniform in the 1980s. Since then, it has become synonymous with our galleries, hidden laneways, and famously unpredictable weather and nowhere was that more evident than on opening night.
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Akira, Blair Archibald, Con Ilio, Et Al, Gail Sorronda, Hyph-n, Joteo, Nicol & Ford and Strateas Carlucci x AFL delivered powerful interpretations of modern monochrome, setting the tone for Autumn/Winter dressing.
Among the crowd was designer Con Ilio, who not only showcased his designs but embodied the theme himself. “I love black — black is Melbourne,” he shared. “Coming into Autumn Winter, it’s the perfect time to showcase it.”
Head of Partnerships Todd Anthony was also sharply dressed in black. Known for pushing fashion boundaries, Todd is one to watch throughout the festival — expect the unexpected.
Reality TV favourite Dave Hand created one of the evening’s most talked-about moments when he cheekily whisked Fashion designer Aron Katona into the air on arrival. Aron later took to socials joking that Dave could “marry him at first sight,” a playful nod to Dave’s recent appearance on Married At First Sight. Word around the runway? Dave Hand is one to watch this year.
Music icon Kate Ceberano attended alongside her daughter Gypsy Rodgers, while wellness entrepreneur Sarah Davidson made a striking appearance. AFL royalty was represented by Scott Pendlebury, also in black, while his stylish wife Alex Pendlebury, was more summery.
If opening night proved anything, it’s that Melbourne’s love of black isn’t a cliché — it’s a signature. And as the festival celebrates three decades of fashion, the city continues to wear its noir crown with confidence.
For more please visit https://melbournefashionfestival.com.au/
By Melinda Sullivan, with thanks you to AMPR.
