Melbourne Conversations: Dopamine Dressers challenges city’s monochrome fashion

Melbourne’s fashion elite will gather at Fed Square on October 23 for the Melbourne Conversations: Dopamine Dressers event – a free public panel discussion daring to challenge the city’s monochromatic style stereotype.

As part of Melbourne Fashion Week (M/FW), the event will explore how bold colours and textures can transform the way we express identity, culture, and confidence through clothing.

Moderated by acclaimed stylist Sally Mackinnon, the panel will feature a lineup of experts in fashion and beauty, including Dr Adele Varcoe, Denni Francisco, Megan Hess, and Nigel Stanislaus. Each will bring their unique perspective on how fashion affects personal and cultural expression.

“Fashion is an expression of individuality,” Ms Mackinnon said.

Melbourne isn’t bound by trends or high street fashion. The personalities of the city’s people are what make Melbourne fashion special and uniquely our own.

The event will also spotlight Indigenous Australian fashion with Denni Francisco, founder of the First Nations clothing label Ngali, showcasing the power of fashion to tell stories.

“Fashion is a powerful platform to share stories, reconnect with country, and express pride in First Nations culture,” Ms Francisco said.

Megan Hess’s iconic fashion illustrations will be on display, and a pop-up library from the City of Melbourne will offer fashion resources. Light refreshments will be available for attendees.

The event, held at The Edge in Fed Square, is free but requires registration through the What’s On Melbourne website.

City of Melbourne CEO Alison Leighton described the event as an opportunity to “challenge boundaries and ideas” and celebrate Melbourne’s fashion diversity.