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Melbourne Fashion Week (M/FW) will officially kick off today with the Secret Garden Runway at the Royal Botanical Gardens. 

Across the week, more than 250 designers will showcase their pieces at more than 100 different events and sessions, attended by 300 retailers. 

The Secret Garden Runway will feature the 2021 National Indigenous Fashion Award winner, Ngali, alongside Aje, Akira, Helen O’Connor, MAARA Collective, Alemais, Leo Lin, nevenka, Ginger & Smart and Asiyam, styled by Carlos Mangubat. 

The Secret Garden Runway will be followed by the opening night runway at Regent Theatre’s Plaza Ballroom, showcasing Acler, Camilla, Dom Bagnato, Jack London, JASONGRECH, MISHA and Nicola Finetti. 

Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the city is excited to host the event in some of its most iconic locations.

"We’re thrilled to deliver Melbourne Fashion Week and celebrate the best of the city’s renowned fashion, retail, art, food and culture.

"We’re taking the runways to some of the city’s hottest venues, like the Plaza Ballroom at the Regent Theatre and the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium, to reignite the city and support as many local business owners as possible.

"Last year’s event enticed nearly 150,000 people to the city for in-person events, and an additional 500,000 made the most of online events.

"Now’s the time to support Melbourne’s renowned fashion industry by shopping local – whether it’s a new outfit for all those upcoming nights out or a Christmas present for a loved one," she said. 

Other venues set to host some of Australia's leading brands include the MCG Underground carpark and the Seafarers Bridge. 

The 2021 program includes a mix of student, emerging, independent and established designers and brands, with a focus on sustainability, inclusivity, celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, and the diversity of Australia’s fashion industry. 

The program also includes pop-up runways and the online M/FW Conversation events which will see industry experts explore pressing fashion topics. 

To further boost the economic activity of the event - and to bring life back into the CBD - exclusive hospitality vouchers will be available for ticket holders at city venues including Bar Bambi, Longrain, Chancery Lane, Calia Emporium and Bar Lourinhã. 

Additionally, M/FW attendees will also be able to purchase the runway looks in city stores and online. 

"We know Melbourne Fashion Week provides a significant boost to the local economy," City Activation portfolio lead Councillor Roshena Campbell said. 

"Last year’s event brought $29 million into the city.

"The event will support our fashion and retail industries, with significant flow on effects to other city businesses who’ll benefit from increased visitation and spend," she said. 

More than half of the M/FW program is free, and all ticketed runways will be available to view online after each event. 

M/FW is a carbon neutral certified event.

M/FW runs from November 15 to 21 2021.  

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