A Melbourne Student’s Experience Volunteering at Australian Fashion Week
WORDS BY NFC STUDENT ELLY TAYLOR
I've watched Australian Fashion Week take-over my social media feeds every year: the outfits, the energy, the atmosphere — I knew I needed to find a way in. When NFC pushed my volunteer application through and encouraged me to take the leap, I didn't think twice!
My role was Front of House, ushering guests to their seat allocations and making sure that gift bags were presented perfectly. What made it so special was the access that came with the position, getting to see the dress rehearsals and observing the many layers of planning that go into pulling a show together. When showtime came, we got to watch the real thing from the side of the runway; a moment I'll never forget.
Through NFC, I also had the opportunity to take a microphone outside the MCA and interview influencers about their street style alongside two of my friends, Molly and Micaela. That ended up being one of my favourite parts of the week, connecting with incredible industry figures, sharpening our people skills, and networking in the most enjoyable way possible.
Throughout the week I developed a range of skills that I know will carry me through my career. Being front of house meant sharpening communication and organisation under pressure; when you're managing a full room of guests and ensuring everything runs to schedule, you learn quickly how to stay calm and solutions-focused! The street style interviews outside the MCA pushed my confidence in approaching and connecting with people I'd never met; working alongside a team of NFC Students in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment strengthened my ability to collaborate and adapt on the go.
What I didn't expect was how much seeing the Buyers in those front-row seats would shift my perspective; Fashion Week isn't just a spectacle, it's where industry professionals from all over the world gather to forecast trends and make decisions about which pieces end up in stores. That really opened my eyes to the Buying side of the industry, and it's something I'm now genuinely keen to explore further. The pop-ups and installations, like the Shark Beauty activation, added yet another dimension to the experience and showed me just how much thought goes into every element of an event like this.
All of it took place in Sydney overlooking Circular Quay, with ferry trips to Rose Bay, Bondi Beach, and Watson's Bay to fill the spare moments in between. I came home with an amazing group of friends from across Australia who share the same drive and passion for this industry. I could not recommend this experience more highly! You will be led by some of the most knowledgeable and influential people in the field, and you will not regret a single second of it.
Just be prepared to have a full camera roll by the end of the week…
CLICK TO SEE MORE FROM AUSTRALIAN FASHION WEEK: