And We Are GO. The VoxFrockers have filed from MFW’s 2026 kick-off runway, Ganbu Marra, a rollicking best-bits showcase of fashion’s rock-star category, First Nations staged in the National Gallery of Victoria. Scroll down to meet the VoxFrockers properly: on lense duty, the exceptional Chrissy Dore, fresh from shooting Paris and Milan with legendary back-of-house master of international fashion weeks, Sonny Vandevelde, a priceless mentor to VoxFrock. On journo duty is, Paris “RATPARIS” Williment, back with their inimitably poetic prose and opinions to fill Chrissy’s photo gaps. Bon appetit! Remember to click back (and back and back!) for MFW dailies by the cream of fashion’s emerging and future journalists, photographers and videographers.
Words: RATPARIS. Photos: Chrissy Dore
Stepping into the Great Hall of the National Gallery of Victoria, a discerning reporter might feel magicked into a decadent dream. In this enormous chamber, well-dressed masses were drenched in moody, reddish light, a luscious dream sequence under the dazzling stained glass ceiling.
ganbu marra, meaning “one mob” in Woi Wurrung is such a perfect way to describe the experience of witnessing Melbourne Fashion Week’s 2026 opening runway.
Unity, celebration, indulgence; and we haven’t even started talking about the garments themselves. I am relieved, because, to be blunt, I came into this show on high alert.
I must make it abundantly clear that I did not – whatsoever! – expect anything but the notoriously high standard MFW organisers constantly deliver. But, part of my optimism for this show was cautious. There is an ugly truth that should not be understated: there is a long, sordid history of First Nations artists having their culture and creative work exploited by more powerful, often corrupt entities. An independent artist and their work, for example, can be utilised as as a tax break, a virtue signal, or a shield to protect corporate interests while resources, support, even appropriate payment to artists are refused. Artists eat the cost, financially and artistically, because ostensibly, according to the powerful entities who exploit them, there’s nothing that shows respect and reverence for Indigenous people quite like exposure with a side of complacent, lazy showcasing.
ganbu marra was not that. The runway was exemplary of what happens when First Nations creatives are given the platform and resources to share their work as intended, without shortcutting, without effort spared.
Styled by Lindyn Rowland, each collection by the 10 showcased designers brought a radically different vision to the runway. But the similarities struck me most; webs of interconnection, for example, between the flowy, regal gowns by Van Ermel Scherer, followed by the summery printed silks and swimwear of Saretta The Label, and the divine Delvene Cockatoo-Collins.
From an imagined shoreline, we travelled to the outback where Lisa Waup and Yapa Mali introduced the many quirky ways cowboy hats can be styled. (Somebody get singer Orville Peck in touch with Kaninda immediately: pairing a cowboy hat with rhinestoned velour trackpants is too important!)
ganbu marra delivered an unforgettable fashion experience, a celebration of the true heart and soul of Australian fashion.
Meet the VoxFrockers
Paris (a.k.a. RATPARIS) Williment, crew journalist.
Multidisciplinary artist and devoted fashion patriot, RATPARIS hails from Queensland and has clocked up extensive experience in theatre, art and makeup artistry. Their modus operandi is simple: “Understanding, analysing and becoming part of Melbourne’s electric fashion and arts culture…”
Chrissy Dore, crew mentor/photographer
Chrissy is seasoned runway, street-style and events photographer with rich experience covering major fashion events from front-of house and backstage perspectives across Australia and in Paris and Milan. She is particularly adept at manipulating light, shade and movement to capture strikingly atmospheric images. Chrissy worked three tours on the VoxFrock Rookie Crew before qualifying as a crew mentor.
www.instagram.com/ebony.noire www.instagram.com/lisa.waup www.instagram.com/delvene_cockatoo_collins_art www.instagram.com/ngvmelbourne www.instagram.com/yapamali www.instagram.com/vanermelscherer
