Effie Kats Melbourne Runway: What NFC Students Learned About Fashion in Motion
WORDS BY NFC STUDENT, MICAELA TASSONE
Today at the Effie Kats runway in Melbourne I watched how silence, chaos, and urgency configured into a fast paced production yet carried the weight of months of creation, design and hard work by Effie and her team.
Effie is a true visionary. Her attention to detail and care for the people she works alongside is unmatched. She leads with such clarity yet allows space for creativity to breathe. What impressed me just as much as the garments themselves was the sense of unity among all the back of house team. Everyone moved with a shared rhythm and end goal to create a seamless and beautiful runway. Everyone supported one another and communicated when there were hiccups.
Having the opportunity to work directly with a model was another highlight. The way my model Claire showcased her professionalism and dedication to her art was show-stopping. It was so special learning about the best way to dress a model in order to be efficient and ensure the model was as comfortable as possible. This experience reminded me how much fashion relies on human connection. It’s not just about the fabric and design it’s about how clothes live and breathe on the person wearing them. Watching my model walk out in her looks was both inspiring and beautiful.
What struck me most was how it wasn’t just fashion or performance. It was storytelling. Through movement, color, and light. That’s what resonated with me so much.
Fashion not as a mannequin display, but as something alive, expressive, and unafraid to take up space. On a hanger, a garment is an object. Still and silent. Backstage, I saw dozens of dresses lined up suspended in anticipation. But the moment they were dressed onto the incredible models, they transformed into living pieces of art.
It reminded me that fabric is meant to move with us. That clothing isn’t finished when it’s sewn, it’s finished when it’s lived in and walked in. Movement is what makes style come alive. And in that sense, the runway isn’t a showroom. It’s a reminder of how fashion breathes when it’s in motion.
Being apart of this production opened my eyes to how a group of artists comes together to bring a single runway to life. The designer, Effie, stylists, MUA and hair stylists, coordinators, models and so many more. Each person played a role in shaping a shared vision. I left with not only a grown admiration for Effie and her team but also a deeper appreciation for the industry itself. How grit, artistry and professionalism intertwine behind the scenes to create something so unforgettable.
I am truly grateful and blessed to have been a part of this event, and eager to see what Effie’s brings next to Melbourne’s fashion scene.