Ethical Clothing Australia's Guide To PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival

PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival is back this February 24 – March 9, with a series of exciting events from Ethical Clothing Australia and accredited businesses.  

Scroll below to see our hand-picked list of events! 

Accredited brand and manufacturer The Social Studio are running a special workshop to teach traditional Afghan hand embroidery skills, led by a talented craftsperson from Melbourne’s Afghan community.  

Attendees will be able to peruse and admire some intricate Hazara and Pashtun embroidery on display at the workshop.

This event is independently produced by The Social Studio and forms part of PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival’s Independent Programme. 

TIME | 2:00pm
DATE | Saturday 24 February
LOCATION | The Social Studio Workroom, 101/30 Perry St Collingwood 
PRICE | $80 

You want to be the leader in the ethics conversation but lack the know-how? We’ve got you!    

We are offering you the tools to shift your mindset toward the future-focused ethics of fashion.

This year, as part of PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival’s Independent Programme, we are hosting a special event titled ‘THE ETHICAL FASHION EXPERIENCE’. 

Join us, as the leaders of ethical fashion, on a journey around Melbourne’s thriving textile, clothing and footwear industry. Learn what it means to produce ethically made garments, from concept to finished product.    

During this behind-the-scenes opportunity, you will gain technical insights as well as connecting with people who understand the progressive nature of ethical fashion, arming you with the knowledge to lead the essential, ethical conversation. 

Don’t miss this unique behind the scenes event!  

Snapshot of the day:   

• 9:30am Depart from meeting point in Carlton.  
• Access to multiple ethical, accredited business sites for an immersion into the future of ethical fashion.   
• 4:30pm Return to meeting point.   

Ticket prices include transport to all sites and lunch & beverages to sustain you on the journey.   

Limited spaces are available, so don’t hesitate! 

TIME | 9:30am – 4:30pm
DATE | Saturday 2 March
LOCATION | Corner of Rathdowne St and Carlton Street St, Carlton, Melbourne 
PRICE | $40 

Mich Phan from accredited business The Social Studio is running a workshop to teach the essentials of survival sewing.  

From mending a tear in your jeans, to sewing a button back on, to darning a hole in your favorite knitted item, Mich will show you how.  

Learn the basics that will help you take good care of the things in your wardrobe and keep clothing out of landfill. 

This event is independently produced by The Social Studio and forms part of PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival’s Independent Programme. 

TIME | 11:00am
DATE | Saturday 2 March
LOCATION | The Social Studio Workroom, 101/30 Perry St Collingwood
PRICE | $30 

Accredited brand R E M U S E  Designs is presenting the sixth instalment of their annual mycology inspired series, MIC0|4. 

This event is designed to ignite the senses through light, sound and circular design. The garments showcased in this runway are all made from in-house and community sourced textile scraps and both food waste and plant-based dyes. 

This event is independently produced by REMUSE Designs and forms part of PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival’s Independent Programme. 

TIME | 6:30pm 
DATE | Saturday 2 March 
LOCATION | RE/Space at BETA by Sth Bnk, 158 City Rd, Southbank
PRICE | $45 

Museums Victoria is running a panel discussion which will look at how cultural collaboration has been practiced historically, how collaborations work now, protocols for best practice and how to honour rather than appropriate culture.  

One of the panellists involved in this event is Bonnie Mooney, Creative Projects Manager at accredited business The Social Studio.