Renowned for spotlighting the industry's top First Nations designers, in 2026 Melbourne Fashion Week returned this year with culture, creativity and craftsmanship at its core.

The 2026 theme, Wear the Moment, celebrated self-expression and the inclusive spirit of MFW, inviting everyone to be part of the moment, on and beyond the runway.

The Week kicked off with the all-Indigenous ganbu marra (in Woi Wurrung "one mob") runway.

Held on October 19 at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), the runway took over the Gandel Hall.

Dedicated to First Nations designers, ganbu marra featured the likes of Delvene Cockatoo-Collins, Ebony Noire, Kaninda, Marnin Studio, Atyene Clothing, OUT OF HAND x Lisa Waup, Rowland Vision, Saretta The Label, Van Ermel Scherer, and Yapa Mali.

Taking on the role of creative director and runway stylist, proud Wiradjuri and Waiben Island man Lindyn Rowland infused his own aesthetic into the runway, all while staying true to each designer's niche and inspiration.

Speaking to Style Up, Rowland explained he wanted audience members to feel the emotion of the runway before they understood it, which on the night resulted in Rowland creating a high-energy symbolic runway.

"There are a lot of subliminal messages throughout the vision," he said.

"I think that's very Scorpio of me, having these incredibly deep hidden emotions that don't always get spoken about directly, but somehow find a way to come through."

"I want people to feel something before they necessarily understand what they're looking at."

This year, popular swim and resortwear house, Van Ermel Scherer, made their MFW debut.

Founded by designer Verity van Ermel Scherer, the brand, which launched at Australian Fashion Week this year, pays tribute to Scherer's late grandmother, Valerie Van Ermel Scherer (Mattie Frith), a Stolen Generations survivor whose creative legacy lives on through the house's signature kaftans and bespoke textile storytelling.

"Following our Australian Fashion Week debut, being part of the ganbu marra runway feels like a natural next step for the brand," van Ermel Scherer told Style Up.

"I'm particularly excited that my first Melbourne Fashion Week experience will be alongside other First Nations creatives.

"Opportunities like this allow us to share our individual stories while contributing to something much bigger than ourselves."

Debuting a variety of the brands signature free flowing silhouettes, the collection featured both men's and womenswear.

"The collection brings together swimwear and resortwear, featuring expressive prints, earthy tones and fluid silhouettes," van Ermel Scherer said.

"What makes this runway particularly exciting is the theme, Ghetto Opera, and the creative vision of Lindyn Rowland, who is leading the creative direction and styling for the show.

"I love the idea of seeing my work through another creative's lens and being part of something that pushes boundaries and celebrates individuality."

First Nations designers also appeared on other runways during the week including Ngali, Gammin Threads, Clothing The Gaps, Grace Lillian Lee, LIANDRA and EDITION x Sarrita King.

First Nations models were also spotlighted during the week including Billie Jean Hamlet, Elaine George, Savannah Kruger and Cassie Black.

Executing yet another high-energy ganbu marra runway, Melbourne Fashion Week proved once again that First Nations design is no longer fighting for the spotlight, but creating a significant space of its own.

Melbourne Fashion Week took place across the 19th-25th of October 2026.