Coming into Fashion Opening Night, Friday November 24
This is your exclusive first look at Coming into Fashion: A Century of Photography at Condé Nast, which will feature images from some of the biggest names in photography fashion like Cecil Beaton, Irving Penn, Helmut Newton, Herb Ritts and Mario Testino. The exhibition will also include a selection of vintage couture fashion from The Darnell Collection – Australia’s largest private collection of fashion from the late 1700s to the 20th century. Opening night will be a stylish affair, with champagne flowing and delicious canapes to enjoy as you mingle and rub shoulders with style greats. You’ll be treated to touch-ups and tips from the experts at the Garbo & Kelly Beauty Bar before your beauty is captured as you strike a pose on the designer photo wall (hellooo Instagram). After you’ve soaked it all up, the party will kick on with tunes by live band Tesla Cøils and vinyl DJ Hawaiinyls. Oh, and if you buy a ticket to the opening party, you’ll also get another exhibition pass to use later in the season … you’ll definitely want to see this more than once.

Talk Suite, Saturday November 25
Back up from the stylish opening-night soiree and spend a full day with some of the most renowned names in international fashion. The Talk Suite will feature two panel sessions and two intimate conversations, with a networking lunch thrown in the middle. The day will kick off with a panel discussion about the enduring legacy of publishing house Condé Nast with Coming into Fashion curator Nathalie Herschdorfer, exhibition manager Todd Brandow, Vogue Australia deputy editor Sophie Tedmanson, and curator and writer Alison Kubler. Then, Alison will take the stage again for an intimate session with creative genius Amanda Shadforth of Oracle Fox, one of the world’s most recognised fashion destinations. After lunch, the discussion will turn to the changes in how the industry makes, sells and markets clothes with Clare Press, the author of Wardrobe Crisis: How We Went From Sunday Best to Fast Fashion and editor-at-large at Marie Claire Australia. The gents take the stage for the final session in the Talk Suite, with Men in This Town’s Giuseppe Santamaria and Paul Hunt set to give a worldly insight into the current fashion space.

Fashion Forum, Saturday January 20, 2018
This is where you will see some of the most creative minds in the industry come together in a magical exchange of ideas, opinions and industry experience. In a similar vibe to Talk Suite, the Fashion Forum attendees will be able to hang out and chat with the guests at the end of the session. Ari Seth Cohen will kick off the forum as he delves into his Advanced Style project, which aims to ‘capture the sartorial savvy of seniors’, before deputy editor of Vogue Australia Sophie Tedmanson takes the spotlight and goes beyond the hallowed walls of Vogue to give aspiring fashion journalists an insight into the wonderful world of fashion media. Known for her architectural approach to fashion, designer Gail Sorronda will then take the stage for a frank discussion on how she has managed to grow her namesake label, whilst still remaining inherently niche. Finishing off the forum is Charlotte Smith, the owner and custodian of The Darnell Collection, part of which will be on display at Coming Into Fashion. If the idea of listening to someone who has spent over a decade collecting, researching and celebrating one of the most valuable collections of clothing in existence intrigues you as much as us, then you will certainly want a seat at this forum.

ArtLab series, November 8, 2017–February 14, 2018
This hands-on art series is held on the regular at The Arts Centre Gold Coast, but during the exhibition the workshops will be Coming Into Fashion-themed, and there are new time slots for adults to get amongst the fashion-fuelled fun with their hands. Design your own tote with Gold Coast artist Kat Kalindi on Saturday November 11, learn the tricks of the hat-making trade from a master milliner at the Millinery Magic workshop on December 9, or have some fashionable fun with glitter, pom poms and colour with the FASHUN workshop on Saturday February 10. Jump this way for all of the ArtLab dates and times. There are even Little ArtLab sessions themed around the exhibition to ignite the creativity in even the youngest of fashionistas.

Fashion on Film, November 30, 2017–February 15, 2018
Fashion and films – name a greater combo! This is a micro film festival showcasing a fantastic series of films and documentaries about fashion. We’re talking everything from classics like Breakfast at Tiffany’s through to modern-day takes like The Devil Wears Prada, as well as industry docos like Dior and I and Advanced Style. The films are just $5, or you can totally lash out and indulge in a $20 package, which includes the film, a late-night entry into the exhibition and a glass of sparkling wine. What a dream. The film and late-night exhibition viewings are held on Thursdays (with the exception of the Christmas-New Year period) until the exhibition wraps up on February 15. For film dates and times, head over here.

Coming into Fashion: A Century of Photography at Condé Nast is open to the public from Friday November 25 though to Sunday February 18. You can view the full program of events online now.

Image credits
Main image: Sølve Sundsbø, Love (detail), Spring/Summer 2011 © Sølve Sundsbø/Art + Commerce
Image one: Amanda Shadforth, Oracle Fox. Courtesy of Amanda Shadforth.
Image two: Ari Seth Cohen, Advanced Style. Credit: Jenna Dublin.
Image three: Patience Hodgson and Rachel Burke. Courtesy of Rachel Burke.
Image four: Dior and I. Courtesy of The Arts Centre Gold Coast.