Students, PhD candidates, staff and alumni from the University's School of Fashion & Textiles featured across a range of events at Melbourne's signature fashion event.
Helen Manuell wins the Melbourne Fashion Week 2025 Student Collections Runway. Courtesy Melbourne Fashion Week
From catwalks to panels and workshops, RMIT talent shone at key events this Melbourne Fashion Week, including the flagship Student Collections Runway. The top prize was taken out by Helen Manuell, a mature-age RMIT graduate with a 25-year background in bridal couture. She was one of three RMIT finalists, shortlisted from 30 students selected across five institutions (half of those hailing from RMIT).
"Never in her wildest dreams" did Helen anticipate winning the awards. "The standard of work, particularly from RMIT students, was so high - I felt incredibly to honoured to have my name called up there," she said.
"Sustainability is one of the key lessons drilled into us at RMIT. I'm staunchly anti-fast fashion, so it was important for my collection - made up of sustainable yarn sourced from vintage finds, deceased estates and my own stash - not to add to landfill. It cemented for me the value in the handmade. You can create something incredible and have a positive impact on the planet."
RMIT Bachelor of Fashion (Design) alum Joseph McHugh debuted their fashion film 'Pride' as part of Chin Chin's long running projection art series, showcasing their 2024 capstone collection of the same name. Informed by themes of identity, sexuality, Catholicism, intimacy and isolation, 'Pride' captures the story of Joseph's upbringing, while examining the experiences of other young people growing up in conservative areas.
Leading industry conversations
'Let's collaborate, strategies for remaking textile waste' was an informative event grounded in PhD research on collaborations between Australian fashion businesses to upcycle unwanted textile waste. Different tactics, methods and strategies were shared with participants, who were equipped with knowledge to develop creative, sustainable textile collaborations of their own.
RMIT researchers collaborated with Nilgun Guven and Skye de Vent from Vitae Veritas on an event, 'The Catwalk Speaks' that guided participants through the process of crafting accessible sensory descriptions. It was attended by creatives and professionals, accessibility advocates, people with low vision or blindness, and those curious about the intersection of creativity and inclusion.
A panel of inspiring fashion business owners joined academics from RMIT's Bachelor of Fashion (Enterprise) program, sharing the unique strategies and frameworks that made their brands and research a success. They explored design processes, market research and concept development in the conceptualisation and implementation of their creative visions. The audience heard insights from contemporary fashion leaders and scholars on how they balance innovation, ethics, and market demands in the competitive fashion landscape.
'Valuing the Handmade', a workshop at RMIT's Activator Hub, showcased the stories, skills and practices tied to handmade clothing and textile techniques. Through conversation and exchange, participants explored how handmaking challenges harmful fashion systems and prioritises the emotional, environmental and social value of our clothing. Participants were invited to contribute to this collective exchange of skill, passion and connection.
Valuing the Handmade Workshop. Courtesy Yassie Samie
Shaping the future of fashion
"Melbourne Fashion Week 2025 has been a tremendous showcase of the depth and breadth of talent within our RMIT fashion and textiles community. From Helen Manuell's outstanding achievement in winning the Student Collections Runway, to Joseph McHugh's evocative fashion film exploring identity and experience, our students and alumni continue to push creative boundaries while engaging with the critical issues impacting our industry," said Professor Alice Payne, Dean of Fashion and Textiles.
"Our community is leading conversations that are shaping the future of the industry, driving meaningful dialogue around sustainability, accessibility, and ethical practice. Whether exploring innovative approaches to textile waste through PhD research, pioneering accessible sensory descriptions for fashion, or examining the value of handmade practices in challenging harmful systems, RMIT is at the forefront of reimagining what fashion can be."
