How Volunteering at Melbourne Fashion Festival Elevated My Online Fashion Studies: A Behind-the-Scenes Experience
WORDS BY NFC STUDENT GEMMA DESMOND
Attending Melbourne Fashion Festival as an assistant was an eye-opening experience that allowed me to put my fashion studies that I have learnt from National Fashion College into practice in a dynamic, real-world setting. As an online student at NFC, the opportunity to travel interstate for this event was both exciting and rewarding, reinforcing the value of hands-on industry exposure beyond the digital classroom.
During MFF, I had the chance to experience the same role while assisting at two very different shows. This contrast highlighted the unpredictability and fast-paced nature of the fashion industry. The first show with The Malcolm Paul was a highly structured, luxury runway event, where every detail was meticulously planned, and execution was ultimately seamless. As an assistant, my role involved dressing models, ensuring quick and faultless outfit changes, and making sure each look was styled according to the Paul’s vision. Helping the models navigate quick outfit changes and making sure each look was flawlessly fitted before they stepped onto the runway was an experience in itself. The connection I built with them made the process feel seamless, fostering a comfortable and supportive environment that could have otherwise felt overwhelming for both sides. Experiencing the fast-paced nature of a runway show firsthand allowed me to truly understand the depth of coordination and precision required—something I had only studied in theory during my first term.
By comparison, the second show, being an independent runway, embraced a much more experimental and avant-garde approach. The atmosphere was high-energy and chaotic at times, with last-minute changes and unexpected challenges. Despite performing the same duties, the experience was vastly different—I had to think on my feet, problem-solve quickly, and adapt to a less structured environment. This experience emphasized the importance of flexibility and resourcefulness in the fashion world, lessons that cannot be fully grasped through online study alone.
One of the most valuable takeaways from this experience was seeing how theoretical knowledge translates into practical application. Studying fashion online with NFC has given me a strong foundation in industry concepts. However, being physically present at Melbourne Fashion Festival allowed me to witness the nuances of show production, backstage dynamics, and the unspoken rules of professionalism in high-pressure environments. It reaffirmed the importance of networking, collaboration, and clear communication—all crucial skills for a career in fashion.
Volunteering at MFF also underscored the significance of taking initiative and seeking out industry opportunities, even as an online student. Being proactive in gaining real-world experience has helped bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical application, making my studies more meaningful and relevant. This experience reinforced my passion for the industry and my commitment to pursuing a career in fashion, proving that learning extends far beyond the classroom—whether virtual or physical.