Leading Indigenous designers are set to star at Australia's longest-running and largest consumer fashion event, Melbourne Fashion Week (M/FW), across October 19-25.

Taking over the city with runways, exhibitions, and immersive events that spotlight the designers, retailers, and street style that shape Melbourne's fashion, the event is set to draw in both press and the public.

This year's theme, Wear the Moment, celebrates self-expression and the inclusive spirit of M/FW, inviting everyone to be part of the moment, on and beyond the runway.

In true M/FW style, seven premium runways featuring more than 600 looks will take place across some of Melbourne's most iconic locations, showcasing local emerging, independent and established designers.

For the first time, the week will open at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), taking over Gandel Hall with the First Nations ganbu marra runway.

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

"We're incredibly proud to be part of Ganbu Marra Runway, celebrating First Nations fashion, creativity, culture and storytelling — and we can't wait to share the stage with some of the country's most exciting designers and creatives," said brand Van Ermel Scherer in a statement.

With multi- talented First Nations creative Lindyn Rowland announced as the runways stylist, audience members are set to see the designer's collections truly come to life on the runway.

Several other First Nations designers will also feature off the ganbu marra runway, including Ngali, Gammin Threads, Clothing The Gaps, Grace Lillian Lee, LIANDRA and EDITION x Sarrita King.

Fashion will also make its long-awaited return to the newly revamped City Square, with two free and ticketed daytime runways featuring 100 per cent City of Melbourne-based designers and retailers. Returning locations include State Library Victoria, 1 Hotel Melbourne and Kensington's Younghusband.

With more than 90 per cent of participating designers, models, students and retailers from Melbourne, the program will feature more than 300 designers and retailers across over 100 free and ticketed events and sessions, supporting approximately 1,000 jobs.

Featured First Nations designers include Gammin Threads, Grace Lillian Lee, NGALI, and more.

Beyond the runway, a world-exclusive collection of couture bridal collections presented by famed local bridal business Raffaele Ciuca will feature internationally renowned designers Vivienne Westwood, Vera Wang, Steven Khalil and Nicole & Felicia as part of this year's Fashion Capsules program.

The Fashion Capsules program will run from 28 September to 25 October across five locations, spotlighting more than 30 local designers and creatives. Other capsule exhibits will celebrate First Nations, sustainable and student fashion.

More than 30 independent events will also form part of the M/FW program, ranging from a dining fashion experience at Pastuso to a sustainability conversation and clothing swap with the United Nations Association of Australia, a runway showcase presented by Amnesty International, plus the return of the hugely popular Emerging Artists Collective.

"Melbourne is Australia's fashion and culture capital, with self-expression at the heart of it - and we're calling on everyone to embrace and wear the moment," said Lord Mayor Nick Reece.

"Melbourne doesn't just follow the fashion trends, we create them. For a week Melbourne becomes a runway. This is Melbourne at its most creative, confident and completely itself.

"More than 100,000 fashion fiends are expected to soak up the style - with everything from headline runways and exhibitions to fashion capsules on offer. Across more than 100 events, the city will become the runway this October, showcasing the people and places that make Melbourne a global fashion destination."

Tourism and Events portfolio head councillor Mark Scott said Melbourne Fashion Week is both a major cultural event and significant driver of economic activity

"Melbourne Fashion Week is not only a major cultural event, but an important driver of economic activity," he said.

"The event delivers more than $32 million in economic uplift and supports 1,000 jobs - creating opportunities to discover emerging designers, shop local and support Melbourne's thriving fashion and retail industry."

M/FW Conversations presented by Collarts will also return, with industry experts leading discussions on growing a fashion business and the representation of women over 50 in fashion, moderated by renowned journalist and author, Virginia Trioli.

M/FW ticket holders can access exclusive partner and designer offers and hospitality specials at some of the city's restaurants, cafes and bars.

Tickets are available to purchase now.

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