Five LCI Melbourne Graduates Selected for PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival National Graduate Showcase
From a highly competitive national field of emerging designers, just 12 graduates from across Australia were selected by an esteemed industry judging panel. With five designers chosen, LCI Melbourne is represented by the highest number of graduates from any single institution in the 2026 showcase.
The selected graduate designers are:
- Bryanah D’Costa
- Caroline Caroline
- Jordan Williamson
- Leah Wilkinson
- Valentina Barrios
The National Graduate Showcase is widely recognised as one of Australia’s most anticipated platforms for emerging fashion talent, providing graduates with a rare opportunity to present their work on a major runway stage at the Royal Exhibition Building, before industry leaders, media, buyers, and the broader creative community.
For LCI Melbourne, this achievement reflects more than individual success. It speaks to a sustained commitment to cultivating distinctive creative voices, rigorous technical practice, and the confidence to design with intention.
Adriano Di Prato, Campus Director at LCI Melbourne, said the announcement represents a defining moment for both the graduates and the institution:
“There are moments in education that feel quietly seismic — not because of headlines or hype, but because of what it has taken to arrive there. This recognition affirms the power of an education that values identity, agency, and creative risk alongside technical excellence. Our graduates are not simply prepared for the industry as it is — they are equipped to help shape what comes next.”
He added that the result reflects LCI Melbourne’s Different by Design philosophy, where learning is deeply personal, future-focused, and grounded in real-world creative practice.
“We encourage students to lean into who they are, not smooth out their difference. This moment belongs to five designers who have trusted their voice, committed to their craft, and given themselves permission to imagine boldly.”
The five designers were mentored within LCI Melbourne’s Fashion & Costume Design program by a highly experienced and industry-connected faculty, led by Head of Fashion Darran Arabin-Gander.
Reflecting on the announcement, Arabin-Gander emphasised the originality and depth of the students’ work:
“Each of these designers brings a distinct point of view — conceptually, technically, and emotionally. Their collections demonstrate a maturity of thinking, a willingness to experiment, and a deep respect for process and making. This recognition is a testament to the hours of inquiry, refinement, and risk-taking that sit behind the final garments.”
“What excites me most is not just where this moment places them now, but where it will take them next. These designers are entering the industry with clarity, confidence, and something meaningful to say.”
The National Graduate Showcase will take place on Tuesday 24 February 2026, presenting Australia’s most promising graduate designers on a national stage. Supported by Fashion Journal, the showcase celebrates emerging talent and marks the beginning of many designers’ professional careers.
For LCI Melbourne, this achievement underscores the impact of an education model that champions creative courage, technical rigour, and purposeful design — and reinforces the institute’s commitment to shaping graduates who are not only industry-ready, but future-ready.
Tickets to the National Graduate Showcase will be available via the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival website.
Want to see your work featured in the future? Join our Bachelor of Design Arts with a major in Fashion and Costume Design, or our Diploma of Fashion Design, commencing February 2026.
