Almost 240 fashion lovers turned up on Thursday 19 February, 2026, to celebrate Melbourne’s queer community at the second Queer By Design runway show at Abbotsford Convent in collaboration with Queer Connect
Melbourne is all about the fashion sector. Defined as the ‘fashion capital,’ (Eastern Suburbs Mums, 2023) of Australia, Melbourne’s fashion isn’t an accessory but an infrastructure. It is a functional extension of the streetscape, lived in and worn out through the laneways.
Meet emerging Melbourne hairstylist John Bowker, whose punk-leaning, gender-inclusive approach blends creativity, concept-driven styling and events work
Explore queer fashion in Melbourne through Pep Doolan and FOOL, highlighting local design, ethical production and the power of queer-led independent fashion