At a time when fashion runways across the globe are becoming less inclusive, Melbourne Fashion Week (MFW) stepped up and showed that diversity doesn’t just belong on the runway — it can be embraced and celebrated.
Globally, things aren’t looking great. Vogue’s Autumn/Winter 2025/26 size diversity report found only 2 per cent of runway looks featured mid-size models (US 6–12) and a tiny 0.3 per cent featured plus-size models (US 14+). This decline follows the Spring/Summer 2025 season, where plus-size representation dropped to 0.8 per cent, down from 2.4 per cent in 2022.
Australia hasn’t escaped this trend. Sydney’s Fashion Week disappointed many, setting low expectations for what would follow.
So when Melbourne Fashion Week kicked off on October 20, with the theme Come As You Are, meaningful diversity felt like it could go either way.
Lord Mayor Nick Reece told PEDESTRIAN.TV the theme “puts this celebration of diversity in the spotlight — embracing individuality, body positivity, self-expression and the vibrant fashion community that makes Melbourne unique”.
“Melbourne Fashion Week proudly champions diversity — both on and off the runway. We believe the people on our runways should truly reflect the people of Melbourne… showcasing representation that mirrors our city’s rich mix of cultures, backgrounds, identities and bodies,” he said.
So, did Melbourne Fashion Week deliver?
Short answer, yes.
“[A]n absolute breath of fresh air,” said Allie Daisy King, writer and social lead at Missing Perspectives, when reflecting on this year’s fashion events.
Fashion writer and slow fashion advocate Maggie Zhou agreed, saying that “across the board”, there was “a lot more” racial and size diversity at MFW.
“I think they have made a concerted effort to have [diversity], which is really interesting.”
Mike Nguyen, an ambassador and model for this year’s MFW, said that “diversity should always be at the forefront of every Fashion Week organisers’ minds”.
“And these organisers should be having conversations with every designer, stylist and casting agent on how they can ensure that different models are seen, represented and truly comfortable with what they’re wearing down the runway. I know we’re just glorified walking coat hangers, but models should always look and feel their best when doing their job,” Nugyen continued.
According to Nguyen, “MFW has actively been championing diversity for the past few years” and this year models were given a ‘ model liaison’ “to support us every step of the way”.
King also noted that having representation strut their stuff at MFW impacts “the vibes off the runway”.
“When you see yourself and your friends being represented, you are far more likely to have a fun and joyous time,” King dished.
Echoing a similar sentiment, Nguyen noted the power of fashion “to uplift one’s mood and a way to change the way we see ourselves,” Nguyen said.
“All bodies deserve to feel strong and powerful in a fab outfit,” Nguyen said.
Representation on the runway
It seems what made this year’s program so refreshing was that diversity wasn’t just an afterthought, but the foundation of the event.
One standout was Ganbu Marra, meaning “one mob” in Woi Wurrung. The runway spotlighted First Nations designers, with models wearing pieces that honoured culture and Country.
Among the featured labels was Banbu, a Brisbane-based slow fashion brand. Banbu, which means “born” in Kooma/Guwamu, fosters sustainability and inclusivity.
Founder Brooke McGlone told P.TV, “I’m so happy to see the diversity in this year’s casting and the way it reflected the real beauty of our communities.”
She continued, “Diversity on the runway isn’t just representation; it’s about creating space for our voices, our designs, and our ways of seeing the world. The Ganbu Marra Runway did this beautifully, and we’re proud to contribute to that conversation through our work.”
Fashion, music and culture collide
The Fashion X Music show brought together 12 designers, each paired with a live musical performance or custom soundtrack.
One feature was a Bharatanatyam performance by Kahini.
Through The Sari Project, pre-loved saris from Kahini were upcycled by The Social Studio into a modern, wearable collection. Dancers Piyali Somaia, Abirame Yathavan, and Gayathirie Wignarajah performed in the transformed garments.
The collection honoured the garments’ past owners, celebrated sustainable fashion, and paid tribute to migrant experiences.
Somaia, the founder of Kahini, told P.TV it was “incredibly special to have representation of South Asian dance, fashion and arts in mainstream events such as MFW”.
“Growing up in Melbourne, observing that Indian culture was seldom represented outside of my community gatherings, I felt that I had to keep aspects of my culture private,” she said.
Performing “Bharatanatyam for the first time at MFW for a large, diverse audience is very meaningful to us, and we hope to see greater inclusion of South Asian culture at future events locally and internationally.”
Where to from here?
In a global moment where diversity is being pushed to the sidelines, Melbourne Fashion Week arrived just in time, proving that fashion is more powerful and joyful when representation is more than a tickbox exercise.
Lead image: Getty Images
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