Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival

This year’s VAMFF will see 100+ cultural events which span the length of the catwalk – from runway shows, to talks, workshops, exhibitions and blogger meet ups.

Here are our festival picks away from the runway…

Dogtired
Rock up at Alfred Place for a satoralist-style photo shoot with your beloved mutt. Dogtired will also be hosting a Best in Show competition, judged by a panel of fashion savvy, dog-loving judges — including Melbourne milliner, Melissa Jackson. Enter, and you and your dog could snag a few trophies.
Sat 22 March, 3pm-5pm; Alfred Place, Melbourne (enter via Collins St.)

The Clothing Exchange free swap
The Clothing Exchange have been providing a forum for savvy, environmentally-conscious fashionistas to trade their pre-loved high quality vintage or designer pieces with other like-minded souls—without the pesky involvement of money. The Swap Social, Swap Virtual event is free for the public to participate.
Sun 9 March onwards, or visit/shop online
Community Hall, NGV International
180 St. Kilda Road Melbourne, 3000

In Conversation: Narcissism and Selfies
If the catwalk isn’t your thing, perhaps a casual philosophical musing is.  At In Conversation you can listen in as a panel of experts tackle the topic of Narcissism and self-image, particularly the way it’s reflected in popular culture and the media through the humble ‘selfie’.
Town Hall Gallery; 360 Burwood Road, Hawthorn
Adult $7/Concession $5/Free for members
Bookings: (03) 9278 4626 or email townhallgallery@boroondara.vic.gov.au

The Clothes Things Happen In
Everyone’s got a piece of clothing that symbolises something, whether its that t-shirt you bought in Spain or the pair of shoes you wore that time you went backpacking. “The Clothes Things Happen In’ is  an exhibition dedicated to the memories we collect through clothing, featuring a range of pieces accompanied with written accounts of their background. You may never look at a pair of socks the same way again.
Qualia Creative
The Loft, 8 Rankins Lane
13 – 23 March
FREE

VAMFF
17-23 March 2014
www.vamff.com.au