Lola Niko went to Melbourne Fashion Week to work the runways, and she came home with a camera roll packed to the brim. Lucky for us, we got the exclusive. In between call times and what we can only assume was zero sleep, she snapped all the cute, cool people: bleached brows backstage, front-row cuties snacking on goodie bag treats (Dubai chocolate protein balls and fava beans), and models proving they “don’t always have to be serious :)”.
You can meet them all in the gallery above. But first, a look at what she wore, because she didn’t turn the camera on herself up there and you need to know she absolutely served.
At the Opening Night Ganbu Marra show she wore Zova Designs (by her pal Zoe Vaccher) and carried a custom fan she made herself, emblazoned with “More Plus Size Representation”.
Next came the Emerging Artists Collective: an ITI custom dress shirt and matching belt, a Dear Tatiana bag, more custom accessories she made herself, and custom nails from her long-time friend Vlyshell.
Later in the week it was the Cult Status runway, a casual 99 looks across 11 designers and “a LOT of quick changes”.
Then, because nothing beats discovering new designers at fashion week, she hit the Student Runway, wearing Cakey Sportsman and then the City Square Australian Open show which was styled by Jade Lung.
Besides the camera roll exposé above, Lola also answered a few of our questions and came through with the goods, from what community actually means to a four-point guide for anyone wanting to break into the industry. Our favourite is “Be respectful to all but kind to some”. Take notes.
Name: Lola Niko
Age: 23
Starsign: Aquarius Sun, Sagittarius Moon and Scorpio Rising
Give us the Lola elevator pitch:
Ex-international athlete, Bachelor Graduate, and accidental model.
After finishing my Bachelor's in Business and struggling to find work, a friend recommended I try a fashion college for the internships. I did 4 in the span of a year and became a freelance stylist on top of my retail job. Then by chance I got scouted on Depop by Shadow, and I was signed 3 weeks later.
Now I freelance model, freelance style, and post social media content to share around the messages of size inclusivity.
Describe Melbourne Fashion Week in 5 words:
Highlighting rising stars, fringe and fun!
Tell us about the shows you walked in, were there any particular highlights or standout memories?
I've always been perceived by others, and I'm used to performing, but something about Melbourne made it feel like more than just a job. I'd find myself surrounded by people who genuinely had my best interests at heart, knew how to dress my proportions, and made sure I felt comfortable and secure in the garments.
Standout memories would be my friends in the crowd cheering me on and taking videos for all of us to look back on after dinner.
It seems like there is such a strong cohort of creatives on the come-up in Naarm, what does community mean to you?
Most and foremost community is a safe space. And I don't mean blatant agreement or supporting wrongs. I mean having the difficult conversations if it's for the greater good. It's standing up for injustice. It's the support for those who can't support themselves. There is a time and place for all things - but when I think of the fashion industry - the time and place is HERE AND NOW.
Most interesting person you met during the week?
Chantelle Lucyl. She was a godsend before a shoot that I had earlier in the week, and as a thank you, I stopped by to shoot some pics for socials.
I was only there for an hour, but hearing all that she's done and still does with passion brought a smile to my face. I love the creatives that know what they want and love it so.
Who had the coolest style backstage/at the after parties?
THERE'S ONLY ONE ANSWERRRRR
MISS CANDY BRAT!!!!
I don't think it needs a lot of explanation but her looks were sooooooooooooo FAB!
As a fellow diva that makes a lot of accessories/clothes for personal use, I love seeing individualism through creativity when presented in fashion.
Who are you mostly likely to dm for a hang now the week is over?
Honestly, this is probably going to sound kind of lame... but my mum. I adored every single part of fashion week but just as any regular job you need that work life balance. Getting breakfast and a pedicure is already blocked off in the calendar.
For someone wanting to enter the industry, what would be your top tips?
1: TRY EVERYTHING!!! It's a lot easier to know what you don't want than what you do want
2: Be you. The right people will find you, and the wrong people will leave you alone
3: DO THE RESEARCH!!! My favourite people to have conversations with are those who are so passionately enveloped in their interest that they get the gleam in their eye. But they can only do that if they know a substantial amount about their topics of choice.
4: Be respectful to all but kind to some.
And for when you finally make it:
You were once in the same place as the people around you. We are all equals just travelling at different paces.
Lastly, what's to come for you in 2027?
Hopefully a lot of money and travel.
At the end of the day, I haven't been doing this for very long so it's hard to say what I'm capable of - but I think that's beauty of not knowing how great you can be.
Photos: Lola Niko
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which Melbourne Fashion Week took place, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong Boon Wurrung peoples of the Eastern Kulin Nation
