The Future of
Fashion Journalism

Applications are now closed

At the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival, we are dedicated to nurturing and supporting emerging talent in the field of fashion writing. Our Fashion Writing Mentorship program provides a concrete pathway for aspiring fashion writers and students to gain real-world industry experience while making invaluable connections within the fashion journalism landscape. 

Mentees in our program will be handpicked by a distinguished panel of australian journalists, granting four exceptional applicants the privilege of attending and covering Premium Runways, exclusive launches, and various festival events as official festival reporters. Their written work will find a home on the festival's own social media and digital platforms, reaching dedicated audiences and influential media outlets. 

Leading up to the festival, each finalist will engage in a comprehensive fashion writing mentorship under the guidance of our esteemed judges. This mentorship is designed to facilitate the refinement of their writing skills and provide continuous feedback, ensuring they are well-prepared for the dynamic realm of fashion reporting. 

The PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival embraces a diverse spectrum of writing styles, inviting writers to submit a selection of short fashion-related writing samples for consideration. We are committed to celebrating and promoting the work of these emerging talents, providing a platform where fresh voices in fashion journalism can truly shine. 

2024 INDUSTRY JUDGING PANEL

  • Clare Press

    Sustainability expert & author

    Clare Press is a sustainable fashion expert, author and presenter. With a background in journalism, previously she was the first ever Vogue sustainability editor. Her podcast, Wardrobe Crisis, investigates the impact of the fashion industry on people and the planet. Press produces and co-hosts the United Nations' Ethical Fashion podcast with Simone Cipriani, and is the author of four books, including Rise & Resist, How to Change the World (2018), and Wear Next, Fashioning the Future (2023).

  • Jane Rocca

    Journalist

    Jane Rocca is a Melbourne journalist and author who writes for The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, Sunday Life Magazine, Domain National, and Domain Review. Her work has appeared in The Face UK, i-D UK, WWD New York, Harper’s Bazaar Australia, and New York Times T Magazine online. She has written four books - The Cocktail, Cocktails and Rock Tales, The Fashionable Cocktail, & Groundbreaking Fashion: 100 Iconic Moments.

  • Melissa Singer

    National Fashion Editor

    Melissa Singer is the National Fashion Editor of The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, reporting on Australian designers and manufacturing, consumer affairs, retail and social trends in fashion. Melissa has profiled some of fashion's biggest names, including Christian Louboutin and Elle Macpherson. She is also a regular commentator on radio and has appeared on numerous podcasts.

  • Rachelle Unreich

    Journalist

    Rachelle Unreich has been a journalist for more than 35 years, writing extensively for magazines and newspapers in Australia, the US, and the UK. As a fashion/ profile writer, she has had cover stories in Harper's Bazaar. Currently, she works as a freelance journalist focusing on long-form articles. Her first book, a memoir, will be published by Hachette in Australia and NZ and by Harper Perennial in the US/North America towards the end of 2023.

Essential Information

  • Finalists will be notified of their place in the top four on the 18 October and will be introduced to their assigned mentor via email in the days following. 

    The Mentorship will take place in the lead up to the Festival, consisting of four one-hour sessions (one per week) in the month of November. Each finalist will receive two writing assignments that detail the written pieces they will need to submit to the Festival as part of the program.  

  • Benefits for Finalists:

    Finalist will be given access to a selection of 2024 PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival events  

    Invitation to the official PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival launch event   

    Extensive promotional integration of work across the Festival's own social media channels with a reach of 146,700 followers.  

    Editorial integration on Festival social media and digital platforms  

  • Applicants will be asked to submit the following with their application: 

    A 200-word profile or biography of you, the applicant, with reference to any fashion or writing related tertiary courses undertaken and/or work previously published.  

    A 200–300-word cover sheet explaining your personal approach to writing, the styles or genres you prefer, your personal connection to fashion as a theme for your writing as well as your ambition for your future in writing. 

    3 x 200-word samples of your fashion focused written work (published or unpublished) (200-word samples can be clippings taken from longer form pieces of work) 

    2024 FWM Application Preview here

    View full Terms & Conditions here

  • To be considered for Fashion Writing Mentorship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

    Applicants must be over the age of 18

    Applicants must be available in Melbourne from the 23 February – 9 March to attend their writing assignments at official Festival events

    Applicants must have at least 3 fashion related pieces of written work to submit as part of their application (published or unpublished)

    Applicants do not need to have studied or be studying a writing or journalism related course.

    The Fashion Writing Mentorship is open to all fashion writers, although is designed to benefit those in the early stages of their career.

  • Applications will be reviewed against the following areas:

    Unique perspective: Written work demonstrates a unique perspective

    Understanding of fashion: and a comprehensive understanding of the fashion industry

    Writing style: The applicant demonstrates a strong and distinctive writing style

    Contribution potential: Writer shows potential to contribute to the future of fashion writing in Australia

    Application requirements: The applicant has met all submission requirements detailed in this information pack.

  • 18 September 2023 – Entries open

    6 October 2023 (5pm) – Entries close

    9-16 October – Judging period

    31 October 2023 – Announce winners

    1-30 November 2023 – Mentorship Commences

    23 February – 9 March – Festival Reporting Period

  • If you have any questions related to the Fashion Writing Mentorship application process, please contact us at programming@mff.com.au.