Emporium Melbourne is proud to partner with the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival as the presenting sponsor of the prestigious National Graduate Showcase. The showcase celebrates the innovation and creativity of 12 exceptional emerging designers.

11 emerging designers have already secured their place on the runway, selected from the nation’s top fashion institutions through a highly competitive judging process. Now, it’s your turn to decide who claims the final spot.

Learn more about the finalists below:

Alexandra Pennell (she/they)

Instagram: @Atopic_designs

Course: Bachelor of Design Arts: Majoring in Fashion and Costume Design

Institute: LCI Melbourne

Collection Name: Oh, you just need to Moisturise

Design Statement:

“Oh, You Just Need to Moisturise” delves into the challenges of living with Atopic Eczema and the often unspoken societal pressures placed on appearance and perfection. This collection reflects my personal narrative while speaking to a shared experience among women, particularly regarding the dismissive treatment we frequently encounter in healthcare. In a world where flawless skin is idealized, the irony of the title lies in a phrase I’ve heard from medical professionals, dates, and even strangers, trivializing a lifelong struggle with an incurable condition.

Influenced by surrealist art and research into Trypophobia, my designs aim to provoke a visceral response, unsettling both wearer and viewer with symbolic, dreamlike juxtapositions that highlight discomfort and disrupt conventional beauty standards. Surrealism’s distortion and boundary-transgressing imagery liberate the mind and mirror the social constraints I wish to challenge.

Each garment is crafted with a commitment to ethical sourcing and regenerative design, integrating deadstock fabrics, recycled plastics, and algae-based textiles. Through these sustainable choices, I underscore the need for industry change while symbolizing resilience in the face of marginalization. This work speaks to the importance of equitable, inclusive healthcare, advocating for self-expression, empowerment, and a reassessment of the biases that shape perceptions of beauty and health.

Designer Biography:

Alexandra, an emerging designer from Wadawurrung Country (Ballarat), brings a deeply personal and socially conscious approach to fashion. Recently completing their studies at LCI Melbourne with high academic achievement, Alexandra became the first LCI student selected as a top-five finalist for Melbourne Fashion Week’s prestigious Student Collections Runway and is now part of the Melbourne Fashion Hub’s 2024/25 program, recognized for their potential to impact the industry meaningfully. having interned with innovative designers such as Blair Archibald of BLAIR ARCHIBALD designs and Courtney Holmes of A.BCH and Circular Sourcing, Alex is committed to further deepening their understanding of ethical fashion practices.

Describing their work as resilient and complex, Alexandra’s designs confront issues of beauty standards, personal identity, and societal biases, drawing from their own experiences with chronic conditions. With a focus on conceptual, sustainable fashion, Alexandra creates garments that encourage reflection, empathy, and a sense of connection. Committed to ethical sourcing and regenerative materials, Alex champions conscious design thinking whilst crafting pieces that invite people to see their stories reflected and valued within a broader human narrative.

Name: Ke Zhang (Zachary)

Instagram: @zachary.zhaang

Course: Bachelor of Fashion Design

Institute: Royal Melbourne Institution of Technology

Collection Name: Metamorphosis

Design Statement:

‘Metamorphosis’ is a collection where I explore the transformation of the men’s suit, deconstructing and reinventing both historical and contemporary designs. The structure and form of the traditional suit give it a unique sense of dignity and authority. My collection aims to break away from this rigidity and introduce fluidity and creativity, allowing the suit to embody both traditional strength and new silhouettes with diversity.

In this collection, I focus on the suit’s fit and structure while incorporating non-traditional elements such as ruffles, bustles on the back vents to create layers and textures, adding exaggerated sleeve lengths to develop the informality of a suit. Different shades of grey and black are my idealization for this collection design, creating visual layers by using similar colors with different textures. While focusing on the transformation of the men’s suit, I also consider the undergarment, considering manufacturing like shirt or vests to enhance layers to overall look.

In the fashion industry, tailoring techniques is gradually being replaced by industrialization. The ’Metamorphosis’ collection not only retains the essence of handmade suit-making but also promotes slow fashion, emphasizing the tailoring and time invested in each piece. Meanwhile, the main fabric chosen is wool, which embodies a commitment to sustainability through its natural qualities and texture, aligning with my philosophy of slow fashion.

I believe the interior canvas is essential for suits, as it provides a structured chest and shoulders while preserving the fabric’s natural texture, embodying the idea that the inside is as important as the outside. This collection draws from the most iconic men’s suits of the 19th century and modern day. Influenced by Yohji Yamamoto and Comme des Garçons, I integrate contemporary oversized elements that challenge and expand this symbol, presenting diverse ways to redefine the suit’s expression.

Designer Biography:

During my study, I’m exploring the evolution of the men’s suit. This collection is a deconstruction and reinvention of historical and contemporary design, focusing on the fit and structure of the suit while also advocating for a slower fashion future. I retain the traditional tailoring techniques of suit makers and emphasises the craftsmanship of each piece within the collection, promoting the idea of quality over quantity.

Name: Nam Tran (he/ him)

Instagram: @nath2222_

Course: Bachelor of Fashion Design

Institute: Box Hill Institute

Collection Name: BEHIND THE BAMBOO

Design Statement:

”Behind the Bamboo” is a heartfelt homage to the spirit, resilience, and artistry of Vietnamese women, whose lives and craftsmanship embody a timeless beauty and strength. Inspired by the intricate, everyday practices in my family’s village—a place marked by devotion to craft, community, and tradition—this collection seeks to bring forward the essence of these women’s lives. Though often hidden behind bamboo walls, their lives are rich with stories of dedication and skill.

Throughout the creative process, I aimed to bridge tradition with innovation, cultural heritage with sustainable ethics. Using dried water hyacinths, I crafted structured shapes that evoke the texture and form of traditional baskets, adding a tactile depth to each piece. Skeleton magnolia leaves, both delicate and resilient, were layered to create an ethereal quality, capturing the natural elegance of the Vietnamese countryside. Each silhouette in this collection is inspired by a specific activity I witnessed in my village, reflecting the unique movements and grace of rural life.

This collection transcends garment creation; it encapsulates the grace and dignity of women whose lives are woven into each piece’s fabric. Each design invites viewers to look ’behind the bamboo,’ into a world of quiet resilience and hidden beauty, celebrating a legacy of craftsmanship that spans generations. Through ”Behind the Bamboo,” I hope to inspire others to find the extraordinary within the seemingly ordinary, honoring both the materials and the stories that breathe life into each garment.

Designer Biography:

Nam Tran is a Vietnamese-Australian fashion designer and the winner of the 2024 Melbourne Fashion Week Student Award. Currently completing a Bachelor of Fashion Design at Box Hill Institute, Nam’s work is distinguished by a unique blend of cultural storytelling and modern innovation. Their designs emphasize sustainable practices and inclusivity, creating garments that connect deeply with heritage while resonating with contemporary audiences.

Nam’s design philosophy is rooted in the belief that fashion is a bridge between tradition and modernity. Each piece they create serves as a narrative medium, honoring cultural heritage while embracing a forward-looking aesthetic. Nam believes in crafting garments that are both expressive and responsible, ensuring each design tells a meaningful story and serves a purpose beyond mere wearability.