NATIONAL GRADUATE SHOWCASE

OVERVIEW

SUPPORTED BY

The National Graduate Showcase is a highlight of the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival programme, a thrilling celebration of bold creativity and boundary-pushing innovation.

As a key part of the Festival’s Talent Development Programme, this showcase is a game-changing opportunity for graduates to launch their careers into the spotlight.

Open to students in the final year of their tertiary bachelor or postgraduate degree, graduating between June 2025 and June 2026, this programme will provide an opportunity for critical exposure and networking to support the kick-start of a future in the industry.

Chosen through a rigorous nationwide selection process, 10 students will be selected by a panel of esteemed judges to have their captivating work shown on a world-class, highly produced Festival runway.

National Graduate Showcase will sit within the Premium Runway Series as part of the Festival’s core programme, and be attended by industry heavyweights, media, consumers and fashion lovers alike.

KEY INFORMATION

  • Apply here.

  • Tuesday 23 September 2025: Applications open

    Wednesday 5 November 2025: Applications close

    Friday 5 December 2025: Judging day

    Early December 2025: Applicants notified of outcome

    Tuesday 24 February 2026: National Graduate Showcase Runway

  • The National Graduate Showcase application will be broken into two stages: 

    • Stage One: Submit all Application Requirements and Digital Folio Requirements  through the Award Force platform during the applications open period.

    • Stage Two: If shortlisted, you’ll be notified Early November and invited to submit a short Collection Walkthrough Video for the official judging panel. 

    All Stage One and Two submission materials including the Application Requirements, Digital Folio Requirements, and Collection Walkthrough Video Requirements must be submitted exclusively through Award Force via this link: HERE. 

    STAGE ONE: 

    Application Requirements:

    • A completed online application form, including submission of: 

    • A design statement detailing the creative rationale of the collection. 

    • A designer biography. 

    • 4+ complete looks that form the applicant's capsule collection. 

    • A Digital Folio (submitted through the online application form) 

    Digital Folio Requirements

    • High-resolution, full body photographs that show each look from your collection (front and back, each look clearly labelled, no more than 2 images per page) (4-6 pages) 

    • High-resolution, close-up photographs of your collection (fabrication details, fastenings, embellishment, overall craftsmanship) (2 pages) 

    • Minimum of four (4) high-resolution photographs of previous work or past collections (1 page) 

    • Collection mood board (1 page) 

    • Collection line up fashion illustration (1 page) 

    • Optional: Any further creative examples you wish to present to the judges (including sketches, imagery, or written documentation (maximum 3 pages) 

    STAGE TWO (shortlisted designers only):

    Collection Walkthrough Video Requirements (up to 3-minutes)

    • Designer Introduction & Collection Overview (1 minute) 

    • Introduce yourself to the camera and provide a brief insight into your design practice or creative identity. 

    • Describe key design elements, techniques, fabric choices and why they were selected 

    • Garment Functionality & Runway Readiness (2 minutes) 

    • Show each garment individually (hung or laid flat) with minimum one (1) look shown on a body 

    • Point out closures, fastenings, lining, structure, and finishings 

    • Highlight garment quality and durability for the runway  

    • Mention fit notes, comfort, or garment movement 

    Collection walkthrough videos do not need to be professionally produced. The judging panel are assessing your work, not your filming skills. You may speak in your preferred language; if not in English, please include English subtitles or a written translation with your submission. 

    • Graduate year: Applicants must be in the final year of their tertiary bachelor's or postgraduate fashion design degree at the time of application, graduating between June 2025 and June 2026 (mid-year graduates accepted). 

    • Collection size: The submitted collection must have a minimum of 4 looks to present to the judging panel.

    • Original work: All submitted work must be original designs, created as part of the applicant's graduate collection. 

    • Complete application: The application is complete and meets all Application Requirements.

  • Each weighting number denotes the maximum number of points attainable within the respective category. 

    • Creative Innovation & Vision: Presents a bold, original design voice, pushing fashion boundaries through concept, material, silhouette, or storytelling [40]

    • Technical Execution & Finish: Demonstrates strong craftsmanship, with considered materials and runway-ready construction [30]

    • Conceptual Cohesion: A considered, cohesive collection with a clear visual narrative and consistency in silhouette, theme, or material [30]

  • The student with the highest numerical score from the judging day will receive the following prize valued at $10,000 AUD, including:

    • $5,000 AUD (ex GST) cash prize to support the winner’s professional and creative career development

    • Professional Consultancy Package - a tailored programme of professional guidance and strategic career support delivered by the Festival team

    All finalists receive:

    • Major PR, marketing and social media exposure through integration into the Festival's campaign activity  

    • Opportunity to have work reviewed by esteemed, high calibre judging panel of industry experts 

    • Showcase collection as part of a Premium Runway within the official 2026 PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival programme 

    • Content package including event photography and runway footage 

    • Suite of VIP invitations to the 2026 Festival’s premium events, including the 2026 PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival official launch event at Government House

  • View full terms and conditions HERE.

JUDGING PANEL

ANNA PLUNKETT & LUKE SALES

Co-Founders & Designers
Romance Was Born

Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales met while studying fashion in 2005 and established the inimitable label Romance Was Born. The pair is known for their ability to transform any theme or seemingly random inspiration into a glittery glimmering fashion paradise.

The design duo have garnered respect for their extravagant and theatrical runway shows, a forum where they have agency across the entire Romance Was Born vision.

CAROLINE RALPHSMITH

Chief Executive Officer
PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival  

Caroline Ralphsmith – known to all as Ralph – has had a rich and layered career that started over 30 years ago in manufacturing, flowed through to finance, strategy consulting, insurance, sport, and major event leadership, and ultimately led to the fabulous Melbourne Fashion Festival today. 

However, the foundations remained consistent - a relentless focus on problem solving, creativity, innovative thinking, strategy, teamwork, a can-do approach and having fun.  

GIULIA BRUGLIERA

Managing Editor
Fashion Journal

Giulia is the Managing Editor of Fashion Journal where she drives the creative direction and strategy. She has a background in both print and digital publishing across fashion, lifestyle, beauty and culture, and a professional background in family law.

Giulia’s work combines a passion for women’s interests and issues with a deep understanding of what makes Australian audiences tick.

KARINDA MUTABAZI

Freelance Wardrobe &
Fashion Stylist

Karinda Mutabazi is a freelance wardrobe & fashion stylist. She comes to styling by way of stage performance, music management, film production/development, and theatre costume. Her work has been informed by years of international experience from London, New York, and Los Angeles. 

Forever striving to be a new type of visual-storyteller; thoughtfully diverse and creatively authentic. She champions community and has built a creative family who inspire, inform and support her work. Karinda divides her time between Fashion, Music, TV, editorial and live events.    

DR GRACE LILLIAN LEE

Creative Director & Founder
Grace Lillian Lee Productions / First Nations Fashion + Design

Grace Lillian Lee is a multicultural Australian artist and decedent of the Miriam Mer and Samsep Peoples of the Torres Strait Islands.

Grace’s artistic journey began with the traditional 'Grasshopper Weave' technique, evolving into a distinctive style recognized for large-scale body sculptures that merge contemporary and traditional practices. Highlights of Grace’s career include collaborating with Jean Paul Gaultier for Fashion Freakshow in 2024 alongside her solo exhibition at Brisbane Powerhouse. She became the first Indigenous Australian designer to debut her couture collection during Paris Couture Fashion Week 2025.