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. The crowd dressed to impress, sipped something cold from the lovely team at UBQ, and took their front row seats to enjoy a night of fabulous fashion and fantastic performances.
Queer By Design opened with a fabulous performance from Amber Scates, fresh from her time on The Voice, alongside two equally fabulous dancers Diloncé and Justin Teliqure — who would be back later as part of the show, both as models and performers. The first brand on the runway was long time Melbourne favourite Fool, followed by Milky Plug, Karma Corbett, MX Drummer with Cuong T Nguyen Studio rounding out the first half.
After a stunning live drag performance by Diloncé, Justin Teliqure and Thee MF Moment, the second half of the runway began with the return of iconic Melbourne designer Baaqiy, followed by June Joy Hullena, Sydney based King Norb and Sydney Sydney, with the absolutely stunning gowns of Isis Avis Loren’s launch of Haus of Loren. A glorious way to close the show.
Check out some of our fabulous guests shot by the wonderful photographer Molly Burmeister.
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