Emporium Melbourne supports the next generation of Australian designers

Emporium Melbourne is reaffirming its position as Melbourne CBD’s premium retail destination and a proud supporter of Australia's fashion future, partnering with PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival to present the 2024 National Graduate Showcase Runway x Emporium Melbourne in addition to a host of fashion activations at the centre throughout the festival.

Representing its commitment to supporting the next generation of Australian designers Emporium Melbourne has sponsored the Festival’s 2024 National Graduate Showcase runway, not only presenting the showcase at Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton, but also extending the experience into Emporium Melbourne to allow customers to discover the emerging designers’ work with installations displayed throughout the centre.

Emporium Melbourne is a cultural epicentre and one of the largest Australian designer precincts in Melbourne, attracting more than 17.5 million customer visits each year. The centre has a long history of supporting Australian designers, currently housing revered local labels including Aje, bassike, Camilla and Marc, Jac+Jack, Viktoria & Woods and Zimmerman.

Additionally, in response to the ever-evolving landscape of fashion language, PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival and Emporium Melbourne has collaboratively delivered ‘Festival Ready’ – a series of intimate gatherings with some of Australian fashion’s most renowned brands and stylists. Hosted by InStyle’s Editor-in-Chief Justine Cullen, Festival Ready events provided an exclusive opportunity to view and shop the new collections from Husk, Aje and Viktoria & Woods whilst providing attendees with tips and tricks as to how to look their best at the Festival.

Emporium Melbourne Centre Manager, Gordon White, said the sponsorship of the 2024 National Graduate Showcase was inspired by the unique Emporium Melbourne customer.

“Many of our customers exude iconic Melbourne style in that they have their finger on the pulse with a creative twist to their look.  

“We’ve got a broad selection of leading Australian designers at Emporium Melbourne with 25 new openings in 2023 and more to come in 2024.” 

Chief Operations Officer of PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival, Deirdre McGuane said:

“We are proud to announce Emporium Melbourne as an official partner, a partnership that supports a shared commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive fashion community, where both emerging and established voices are celebrated and amplified.  

“The National Graduate Showcase programme provides a pivotal platform for emerging talent to thrive. This partnership extends the programme beyond the runway with a special installation that can be enjoyed by the public throughout the Festival in the heart of the CBD’s cultural retail meeting place, Emporium Melbourne.” 

The National Graduate Showcase Runway x Emporium Melbourne will take place at the Royal Exhibition Building at 8.30pm Tuesday 5 March with tickets available at PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival.  The showcase features the top 10 graduate designers, hand-picked from Australia’s leading fashion design institutions. An exciting, whimsical and extraordinarily playful runway, these designers challenge fashion boundaries and inspire awe.