Geelong is stepping firmly into the fashion spotlight in February 2026, with the launch of Geelong Fashion Fortnight as part of the Melbourne Fashion Festival, backed by the City of Greater Geelong.
Running from 14-28 February 2026, this marks the Festival's first dedicated expansion into regional Victoria. Over two weeks, Geelong's creative community will host exhibitions, workshops, runway shows and markets across some of the city's best-known venues, including the National Wool Museum, Creative Geelong, Murran Hub, Westfield Geelong and Millinery Australia.
As a UNESCO City of Design, Geelong has been quietly building a reputation as a serious creative hub. Fashion Fortnight gives visitors the perfect reason to plan a stylish day trip - or better still, turn it into a coastal weekend escape.
To explore the full program, visit the Melbourne Fashion Festival website, select "Programme" from the top menu, then use the drop-down menu on the programme page to choose Geelong Fashion Fortnight.
Several hands-on workshops are expected to book out quickly.
On 18 February, "Pack Less, Look Amazing - Travel Styling Made Simple" tackles a universal problem: overpacking. This practical session focuses on building smart, versatile travel wardrobes without hauling half your closet.
On 21 February, perfumer Aysha Hansen leads a two-hour fragrance workshop where participants create their own personalised scent. Also that day, Wadawurrung artist and textile designer Dr Deanne Gilson hosts a jewellery-making workshop using her distinctive textile designs.
On 22 February, Heather Thomas presents a natural dyeing workshop, demonstrating how to create rich colour using materials that can be foraged, grown or sourced locally.
Runway events bring a different energy to the fortnight. On 20 February, "50 And Fabulous" showcases bridal and mother-of-the-bride collections in a live fashion parade, offering an up-close look at the gowns as they move on the runway. The following evening, 21 February, KubuStudio joins forces with Bali-based Future Loundry for a collaborative runway highlighting local Geelong designers alongside international influences.
There's also a rare behind-the-scenes tour of the National Wool Museum on 19 February, giving visitors access to selected pieces from its textile collection and telling the story of Australia's wool and fibre heritage.
"From Brushstroke to Bespoke" on 18 February explores the creative journey of Indigenous artists, sharing the stories embedded in their artworks and tracing how those designs evolve into exclusive textiles and tailored garments.
On 21 February, Creative Geelong hosts its Makers Market and Open Studios, featuring local designers, vintage fashion and access to resident artist studios.
The exhibition program rounds out the fortnight with seven separate installations. Highlights include a large-scale artwork created from recycled, deconstructed t-shirts - each painstakingly unthreaded by hand - revealing just how much fabric exists within a single garment. Another exhibition focuses on First Nations textiles and fashion, featuring possum skins, bush-dyed fabrics, woven pieces and possum skin cloaks, reflecting both traditional practice and contemporary design.
Geelong Fashion Fortnight presents a strong mix of history, innovation and community creativity. The full list of events can be found via the Melbourne Fashion Festival programme page under Geelong Fashion Fortnight.
Geelong is stepping firmly into the fashion spotlight in February 2026, with the launch of Geelong Fashion Fortnight as part of the Melbourne Fashion Festival, backed by the City of Greater Geelong.
Running from 14-28 February 2026, this marks the Festival's first dedicated expansion into regional Victoria. Over two weeks, Geelong's creative community will host exhibitions, workshops, runway shows and markets across some of the city's best-known venues, including the National Wool Museum, Creative Geelong, Murran Hub, Westfield Geelong and Millinery Australia.
As a UNESCO City of Design, Geelong has been quietly building a reputation as a serious creative hub. Fashion Fortnight gives visitors the perfect reason to plan a stylish day trip - or better still, turn it into a coastal weekend escape.
To explore the full program, visit the Melbourne Fashion Festival website, select "Programme" from the top menu, then use the drop-down menu on the programme page to choose Geelong Fashion Fortnight.
Several hands-on workshops are expected to book out quickly.
On 18 February, "Pack Less, Look Amazing - Travel Styling Made Simple" tackles a universal problem: overpacking. This practical session focuses on building smart, versatile travel wardrobes without hauling half your closet.
On 21 February, perfumer Aysha Hansen leads a two-hour fragrance workshop where participants create their own personalised scent. Also that day, Wadawurrung artist and textile designer Dr Deanne Gilson hosts a jewellery-making workshop using her distinctive textile designs.
On 22 February, Heather Thomas presents a natural dyeing workshop, demonstrating how to create rich colour using materials that can be foraged, grown or sourced locally.
Runway events bring a different energy to the fortnight. On 20 February, "50 And Fabulous" showcases bridal and mother-of-the-bride collections in a live fashion parade, offering an up-close look at the gowns as they move on the runway. The following evening, 21 February, KubuStudio joins forces with Bali-based Future Loundry for a collaborative runway highlighting local Geelong designers alongside international influences.
There's also a rare behind-the-scenes tour of the National Wool Museum on 19 February, giving visitors access to selected pieces from its textile collection and telling the story of Australia's wool and fibre heritage.
"From Brushstroke to Bespoke" on 18 February explores the creative journey of Indigenous artists, sharing the stories embedded in their artworks and tracing how those designs evolve into exclusive textiles and tailored garments.
On 21 February, Creative Geelong hosts its Makers Market and Open Studios, featuring local designers, vintage fashion and access to resident artist studios.
The exhibition program rounds out the fortnight with seven separate installations. Highlights include a large-scale artwork created from recycled, deconstructed t-shirts - each painstakingly unthreaded by hand - revealing just how much fabric exists within a single garment. Another exhibition focuses on First Nations textiles and fashion, featuring possum skins, bush-dyed fabrics, woven pieces and possum skin cloaks, reflecting both traditional practice and contemporary design.
Geelong Fashion Fortnight presents a strong mix of history, innovation and community creativity. The full list of events can be found via the Melbourne Fashion Festival programme page under Geelong Fashion Fortnight.
❊ When ❊
Date/s: Saturday 14th February 2026 - Saturday 28th February 2026