Mainly because I haven’t be able to decide, 1. How I want to present my work at MFW and 2. Do I separate this article into multiple instalments or just one big juicy story to sink your teeth into? 

Well, I eventually chose to take smaller bites. 

Today and throughout the next few weeks, I’m going to dive into my time working for Melbourne Fashion Week this year and the images, people and fashion captured during that time. 

Now to get the formalities out of the way, I was contacted by the lovely people at Long Story Short a few months before MFW in helping them cover aspects of the runways and event. 

Ill be forever grateful for the opportunity as it gave me access to the world that lives behind the catwalk and the efforts from everyone involved to make it the spectacle it is. 

It’s easy to look at a beautiful runway and see its awe-inspiring design and appearance but it’s another thing to see how one such runway is pulled off. 

It involves many many hours of effort and not much in the terms of sleep. But at the end of the day, 99% of the people that make these events happen wouldn’t want it any other way. There really is nothing like Fashion Week

Melbourne Shows The World 

We are very lucky to have a few fashion events happen in Melbourne. For our relatively small size (population wise) we have quite a strong fashion scene in Melbourne and MFW is the spokesperson for that. 

The event that’s on its 31st year brings together a broad array of designers and runways scattered across Melbourne’s city. 

7 days of fashion events, talks and seminars all centred around the design, industry and personal style. While I only covered the main runways and one independent runway, over the week. There were still plenty of other activities happening giving more than enough to keep a fashion lover busy. 

It’s also a great opportunity for local artists, designers and stylists to showcase there skills and creativity to a wider audience. One showcase here, could lead to bigger things in the future. 

Opening Night: ganbu marra runway

Melbourne fashion week celebrated the opening of the event with a showcase highlighting insidious fashion and designers working in Australia, pushing the boundaries of local design and textiles as well as giving a platform for artists who may reside in more remote parts of our country. 

How was the night you ask? It was a real vibe, everything from the venue where the runway was held at (Hotel Melbourne) to the food, drinks and attendees. Everything was feeling electric and exciting and there were plenty of well dressed patrons of fashion flaunting there style 

Street Style

Some shots of the lovely attendee’s

Venue

The venue was the newly built Seafarers Melbourne apartment building that serves as a restaurant, hotel and event hub next to the old Mission to Seafarers Building along docklands highway. 

The runway was huge and plenty of really good lighting. I will say apart from the closing runway which was on the Sunday. It had one of the best lighting setups I’ve seen. Very similar to Gary Bigeni’s runway in Sydney. Rows of guests with lighting pointed towards runway centre. 

Designers and Showcase

This really was a fitting start to the week, the designs and theme of the runway was just amazing, we had natural fibres, beautiful colour print fabrics and country inspired designs that would give wrangler a run for there money. 

Kaninda 

The first onto the grey carpet was designer Kaninda. A clothing and swimwear label out of the Pilbara region in Western Australia. 

Airy light fabrics and casual wear for the heat of the northwest of Australia. But not just up here but anywhere you want really. 

Kaninda (mum and daughter team) showed a great array of colourful summer wear that will keep you cool and looking cool at the same time 

Yanggurdi

Second is an ethical fashion label by artist Cassie Leatham. A multidisciplinary artist working with natural fibres to represent her culture and storytelling through fashion 

Jaru Girl

Western Australian designer gives a look into her latest collection from the Milky Water collaboration. Western vibes are very prominent with the styling and also the looks of the garments. One of my favourites from the night 

KingKing Creative 

Sisters Tarisse and Sarrita King, contemporary aboriginal artists showcase there latest summer designs 

Gammin Threads

The creation and passion of Tahnee Edwards. Gammin Threads gives the good vibes and the bright colours to go along with it. 

Goompi’s Girl

Cairns artist and fashion designer Nicole Chatfield aka Goompi’s Girl. Shows us her Kanyarra

Collection of beautiful mixed media denim dresses and skirts, all pieces being upcycled. These were styled beautifully and gave us amazing tones of blue for the runway 

Yarrenyty Arltere Artists

Art group from the centre of Alice Springs. Originally formed as an art project for the community in 2000 now holds many locally based artists in its gallery including a textile division. Two local artists, Louise and Rhonda are the designers which was shown on the night. 

Banbu

This is the second time I’ve had the pleasure to photograph Brooke McGlone designs, the founder of Banbu. It was back at MFF25 that we saw the Back In Blak runway 

Laundry Gallery

Located in Darwin as an art hub for local indigenous artists, Laundry Gallery is a multi purpose exhibition space for artists of all mediums to display there work. All works garments on the night were printed in house at the Gallery by Bridget Bunduck, Titled “Ku Tek” (Black Cockatoo) 

Yapa Mali 

This is also another great designer that I got to photograph back earlier in the year at MFF. 

Yapa Mali is a label founded in 2022 by Maddy Hope-Hodgetts. 

Most of this “Bunggan” collection is printed on Flax Fibre Linen, which is not only long wearing but also plant based and bio degradable for more of a sustainable approach to everyday wear. 

Tjarlirli & Kaltukatjara art

Tjarlirli and Kaltukatjara gives support to their artists through the community run and operated centres in both SA and Western Australia for multiple projects and genres.

The Pirriya Collection shown here came down from its home in Darwin to be displayed on the runway. It’s a collection of painted silk shawls and dresses done by artist Faith Butler. (From the best of my research, that’s who I think did these wonderful pieces) 

Faith is not just a silk painter but also a master basket weaver and wood carver “purnu” 

Closing

Runway Stylist

Lindyn Rowland

Models 

Aavaisha Cockatoo-Collins
Amber Kerr
Angelique Salley
Ben Davis
Bernad Ngendakumana
Cassie Puruntatameri
Cuba Moore
Elaine George
Emmanuel
Idriss Kwiata
Jaylen Brown
Ji Wang
Karita Ombiga
Karsha Pereiraa
Lui Burns
Marvin
Meiba
Mike Nguyen
Nepal
Owen Hennequin
Rowena Xikang
Savannah Kruger
Tabard
Zanthe Evans
Zelia Rose Kitoko

The post ganbu marra Runway MFW 2025 Opening Night appeared first on CHROMATIC TIMES | Photography By Aidan McCorry.

Every year people from all over the globe, tune in to the large runway events for inspiration on the latest styles, trends and items people are wearing. Its a fundamental aspect of any successful runway.

AFW25 felt a little different from past events, at least that was the consensus amongst designers and attendees. 

The event had recently been taken over by the Australian Fashion Council (AFC) after IMG dropped its sponsorship. Marking a pivotal moment in the local fashion scene. 

As a whole, the event transitioned from more of a retail-focused showcase to one centred on designers and the wider fashion industry. Change of course, brings in new thinking and hopefully a fresh look at running a fashion event.

Now I will admit that the AFW25 forecourt could’ve had a bit more going on, in terms of interactions and general things to do. However, the event was picked up only months before its usual date. So for the AFC to put together such a holistically enjoyable experience was a big credit to them.

Because of this. Street style was a little on the lighter side from previous years. BUT it gives it ample room to grow over the following. Having said that it still showcased some amazing styles and individuals over the course of the week. 

One thing is for certain. If there is a fashion week on, The people will show up. From every walk of life and background. From all parts of the country, fashion brings us together to meet new people and collaborate.

So before I go on for too long. Let me show you the style that caught my eye at the recent Australian Fashion Week 2025 held at Carriageworks In Sydney Australia. 

THE FASHION

STREET STYLE AUSTRALIAN FASHION WEEK 2025

First off we have Sydney Based Anahí Sanz. Using a sustainable mode of transport through the whole week of fashion sporting a bright blue and yellow outfit for Thursdays runways!

Shamaiah Sullivan with a lovely orange dress from: Notchi. A Perth based designer. Shamaiah was also one of the models for the ‘New Generation’ runway on the Friday morning. (Post will be coming) 

Style Duo Xiao Xiao and Em Miguel-Leigh with a impeccably styled denim and faux fur outfits 

A familiar face, Melbourne fashion designer Kyle Owo. The blue pants were in my options one of the coolest cargo/parachute pants worn during the week 

Sydney based fashion photographer Janna Melonkvist wearing a long snake print coat, paired with black trousers and boots. If you get a chance check out Janna’s work! she has some beautiful examples on here website linked above.

Next we have a good friend of mine and a fellow Melbournian: Tashiya Rajasingham. Wearing two outfits over Thursday and Fridays events. Fitted on Friday night with a Romace Was Born jacket and bag from Charles & Keith

Unice Wani made a colourful appearance at the fashion week with a bright yellow outfit. Without a doubt she’s one of the loveliest people to work with on fashion week. Shorts \ Belt: Kosi Wahala | Top: Lounge | Shoes: Crocs Aus

Tara Chandra Wearing Lazy Loaf | Poppy Lissiman and Coach

Raquelle Ferre with some furry friends at the forecourt of AFW

Isabelle Petzl-Duncan Wearing Hansen & Gretel and Oroton Bag. Attending the Hansen and Gretel runway on Thursday

Georgina Makk at AFW wearing Gucci and Zara

Here is Chloe Ashley Taylor. Another Melbournian who I met at Melbourne Fashion Festival earlier this year. Chloe is a lover of bright fashion and a lovely person to speak to. If you want to follow her own designs, you can also find her HERE

NADINE KISIMBA Wearing KIS-SIMBA COLLECTION

This was actually the final shots captured at the event. Having just finished the Romance Was Born runway, I walked out from the media pit and straight away Nadine’s outfit caught my eye. After speaking to her for a bit I found out that her Mother creates the designs! beautiful piece of fashion and a fitting end to a fantastic two days of fashion.

CLOSING

In closing, AFW25 took me by storm, the turnout and the diversity of fashion really made it an absolute joy to capture. This is where I extend a big thank you to the individuals who graciously stood before my camera, enabling me to capture a few moments.

Without their unwavering support, photographers like myself are unable to pursue our passion, which ultimately involves meeting new people and documenting the ever-evolving styles and fashion trends of our time, whether it be day, night, week, or even few fleeting hours.

Words by Aidan McCorry | Chromatic Times

Sydney Australian Fashion Week 2025

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The post Unfiltered Street Style Moments You Need to See | AFW SYDNEY 2025 appeared first on CHROMATIC TIMES | Photography By Aidan McCorry.