What makes Melbourne feel like home? The guided tours that leave from Flinders Street Station will probably tell you it’s the laneways, the stencils, or the coffee. Really, though, it’s the way a place this big manages to be a community — even when it comes to huge festivals that mobilise the entire city. In a week’s time, we’re putting on a show at Melbourne Fashion Week that we’re pretty proud of. We’ve curated a brilliant lineup of our favourite people to DJ all week long in the Melbourne Town Hall forecourt. Here, we’ve asked them a few questions — ’cause it’s always good to know what you’re walking into.
Prince
How do you spend your days? Playing ball, sleeping, partying, working on my label. What one song are you super obsessed with right now? Distant Relative by Nas and Damien Marley at the moment, the whole album is cool. Which Melbourne designer are you loving at the moment? L’Avenir. What’re your favourite places to go out and party in Melbourne? Avant Garbage at Laundry Bar, it really goes off. What would you say is most important to you right now? Family.
Marli
How do you spend your days? I’m at my store Slow Waves literally every day doing anything and everything. The store is definitely my first home, I spend so much time there. What can we expect from you at MFW outfit-wise? I’m all about dressing for comfort, sometimes all you need are some trackies and a good pair of heels. I do have a Molly Goddard dress that I love and don’t wear as much as I should. Also, two of my friends have started a label called Echelon, doing cool oversized t-shirts and accessories, and everything is made in Melbourne. Maybe that. What are you excited about right now? At the moment we’re working on a collaboration between Slow Waves and a Hong Kong-based label which is super exciting! It’ll be a five to seven piece collection of unisex clothing and accessories dropping at the end of the year!
Soul
How do you spend your days? I work in the coffee window at Doomsday, and when I’m not doing that I’m painting in my studio! What are you excited about right now? Well, I just recently got a studio, which has been a long time coming. It’s with my good friend Shaye. It’s exciting being in a space and watching him create — it’s nice to see how others approach their artwork, from that I get super inspired. Which Melbourne designer are you loving at the moment? Alexandra Kirkwood, she’s producing some very tight menswear.
Sunni Hart
How do you spend your days? Between mum things, I’m a booking agent for my agency Folk Co. I’m also in the process of opening a new space in Brunswick called Hope Street Milkbar. This will be a space for flowers, food, art, discussion and community. What one song are you super obsessed with right now? Doves in the Wind, SZA. What are you excited about right now? I’m excited to see Hope Street come to life and watch a community grow so that I can sit back, listen and learn even more than I already have from my peers. I’m stoked that through Folk Co. I’m able to see all the younger people of Melbourne be such geniuses and visionaries, especially some of these fashion grad students — holy moly. I’m also super excited to see the people I’ve known since we were the young up’n comers in Melbourne mature, focus and be rulers at all their creative pursuits. It rules!
Agi Kawalewsk and Gian Manik
How do you spend your days Gian? I’m a research and development coordinator at Loving Earth, AKA chocolate maker, and I paint. Agi, we’re excited to hear you play on the i-D stage at MFW. What can we expect to hear from you? Think hackers soundtrack and something sesi. And you, Gian? The new Coles commercial, something sexi, industrial techno. What can we expect from you outfit-wise Agi? 90s boy band meets Eastern Euro. Gian, which Melbourne designer are you loving at the moment? Verner. Gian, what are you excited about right now? I’m excited about making clothes with a friend of mine, and the knives another friend is making from brutal secondhand filth. Agi, tell us about your favourite places to go out and party in Melbourne. Gian’s house, hotel bars ’cause they serve tea, and iDarts — the electronic darts bar — is so for me.
David Murpy
How do you spend your days? Listening to music, thinking of ideas for parties, working as a barber. We’re excited to hear you play on the i-D stage at MFW. What can we expect from you music-wise? I’m going to dabble in some queer hip hop and sassy house grooves. What’s one song you’re super obsessed with right now? Larry B, High Song 101. Which Melbourne designer are you loving at the moment? Got my eyes on Totalfcukingdarkness rn. What’re your favourite places to go out and party in Melbourne? Trough X and my party Le Fag.
Mossy
How do you spend your days? Writing and recording music, playing shows, acting, directing stuff, DJing, walking dogs. What one song are you super obsessed with right now? DIIV, Bent (Roi’s Song). What are you excited about right now? I’m writing the first MOSSY album and it’s been a dream so far. I’m also jazzed for Dean Tuza, my producer and close pal, who’s getting his record label up and popping in the next little while. It’s called World State Recordings. Staunch name. It’s going to be hot. Which Melbourne designer are you loving at the moment? I like Kloke and PAM. Don’t own any of either. Maybe Santa will bring. What would you say is most important to you right now? Working hard. Being kind and considerate and patient.
Isabelle Hellyer
How do you spend your days? I’m the associate editor of i-D Australia New Zealand. What can we expect to hear from you on i-D’s MFW stage? Pia Mia, God’s Wisdom, ASMR samples, Lana Del Rey, DJ LUCAS (mixin up exotic juices). What one song are you super obsessed with right now? For breakfast: the Weet rmx of 3NDLES5’s Polyester. At night: Whispers Red Grasshopper Pie. What are you excited about right now? Excited about i-D, always. Also: Gian Manik’s paintings, Mitch Tolman’s music. Issy Beech’s jokes. Mahmood Fazal’s wardrobe. All future films and licensed product lines in the Despicable Me/Minions universe. Which Melbourne designer are you loving at the moment? Maroske Peech and Strateas Carlucci — both very good.
Kiel Rogers
How do you spend your days? Working, designing, art at GARBAGEtv. What one song are you super obsessed with right now? Nous sommes MMM by MMM (Errorsmith & Fiedel). What are you excited about right now? Really excited about Garbagetv growing and working with more amazing people and stores. Which Melbourne designer are you loving at the moment? Pageant. What’s your favourite place to go out and party in Melbourne? HUGS and KISSES <3 #1. What’s most important to you right now? Pushing equality ! we need to stand up VOTE yes !!!
Melbourne Fashion Week runs from the first to the eighth of September. If you’re in town, you’re free, and we’re still on good terms, come see our DJs play in the Melbourne Town Hal forecourt. We’ll be there from 5PM until late into the night.
We also have two double passes to Premium Runway 2 and Premium Runway 5 to give away. Email aunz@i-d.co by Wednesday 30th August letting us know your favourite track right now, and we might just give them to you.
Credits
Photography Jordan Drysdale
Styling Abby Bennett
Shot at Rokeby Studios
Special thanks to Jessie French for her incredible work co-curating the acts on the i-D Presented Stage.