If you follow Lazy Girl Lingerie online, you might have seen the exciting news that I made my Melbourne Fashion Festival debut in late February. Showcasing my designs on the runway was such a special milestone for me both professionally and personally, and I wanted to share a real, behind-the-scenes look at what it’s actually like to be part of a show like this.

From the application process to creating the collection and seeing it come to life on the runway, this was my experience showcasing in the Beyond Blak runway with Mob in Fashion.

How Lazy Girl Lingerie Was Accepted

I first discovered the Beyond Blak showcase while scrolling through Instagram, when I came across a post by Mob in Fashion calling for First Nations designers. Having previously worked with them at Australian Fashion Week in Sydney, I already knew how incredible their shows are and how important their work is in supporting First Nations designers. I knew straight away that I wanted to be part of it.

I created a mood board and started sketching out designs that had been sitting in my mind for quite some time. When it came time to submit my application, it felt exciting but also a little nerve-wracking. The moment I hit submit, I realised just how much I wanted to be selected.

When I received the news that Lazy Girl Lingerie had been accepted into Melbourne Fashion Festival, I got straight into creating the collection.

Designing the Midnight Collection

The theme of my collection was Midnight, inspired by the feeling of a luxe weekend away in a boutique hotel, where everything feels indulgent, romantic, and just a little bit mysterious.

To bring the collection to life, I worked with rich chocolate satin, delicate eyelash lace, and bold red lace, adding in feather details for that extra touch of drama. One of my favourite pieces featured a textured 3D tulle with pearls and floral embellishments. It was definitely an investment piece, but seeing the reaction to it on the runway made it completely worth it.

Preparing for a Runway Show as an Independent Designer

Preparing for a runway show is very different to creating pieces for customers. As an independent lingerie designer, I’m usually working on my own in the studio, but fashion festivals involve a lot more collaboration.

To get ahead, I set myself a challenge before Christmas to create most of the collection in just one week after finishing my final customer orders for the year. It was a big push, but it gave me the head start I needed.

It ended up being one of those weeks where you completely lose yourself in the creative process. It was just me, my sewing machine, and a whole lot of Taylor Swift playing in the background while I worked through each design.

Working with Stylists and the Runway Team

Another big difference with showcasing at Melbourne Fashion Festival is the submissions and approval process. Designers work closely with the event organisers and styling teams to ensure the collection fits within the overall vision of the runway.

This also creates an opportunity to share the story behind the collection and receive feedback from industry professionals, which is something I always value.

Once the collection was approved, I provided sizing details so the styling team could begin fittings with the models. From that point on, much of the runway preparation is in the hands of the event team, who bring everything together.

There is so much that goes into a show behind the scenes, from casting models to coordinating hair and makeup, styling each look, and creating the overall flow of the runway.

Travelling to Melbourne for the Show

In the lead-up to the show, things felt busy in the best kind of way, with last-minute details and travel plans coming together. We flew into Melbourne on the day of the show, which was extra special because it was my daughter Clementine’s first plane trip.

I was a little nervous about how she would go, but she handled it beautifully.

We arrived with just enough time for a lovely Lazy Girl to pick up her order from our apartment before I got ready for the evening. I wore my tulle Empress gown and managed to squeeze in a quick catch-up with my mentor Lady Petrova before heading backstage.

Backstage at Melbourne Fashion Festival

Backstage was such an exciting moment. The energy was incredible, with the Mob in Fashion team, stylists, and models all working together as hair and makeup came together.

Seeing the models wearing my designs for the first time was such a surreal and proud moment.

Lazy Girl Lingerie opened the runway, which was such an honour. It meant I got to experience my collection walking first, and it’s a moment I’ll never forget.

My Experience Showcasing at Melbourne Fashion Festival

Overall, my experience showcasing at Melbourne Fashion Festival was an incredibly positive one. It’s such a valuable opportunity for independent designers and First Nations designers to gain exposure, connect with industry professionals, and grow creatively.

Working with stylists and being part of a runway show teaches you so much, and it’s something I’ll carry with me into future collections and events.

Final Thoughts

Showcasing Lazy Girl Lingerie at Melbourne Fashion Festival with Mob in Fashion is something I’ll always be proud of. It was a mix of excitement, nerves, creativity, and so much gratitude.

I hope you enjoyed this behind-the-scenes look at what it’s really like to showcase at Melbourne Fashion Festival. If you have any questions about the experience, feel free to reach out, I’m always happy to share more.