If Melbourne Spring Fashion Week's new campaign images are anything to go by, this year's event will be all about colour and fantasy.

From conversations regarding the future of fashion, to runways showcasing the city's latest and greatest talents, the MSFW program is jam-packed with an inspiring series of runway shows, exhibitions, films and workshops. We’ve compiled a few highlights from this year's program in anticipation of the event.

Romance was Born meets William Johnston

From Monday to Friday The Bride, The Ship & The Wardrobe will be on display at The Johnston Collection. This exciting project sees Romance was Born designers Luke Sales and Anna Plunkett collaborate with artist Kate Rhode to affix their colourful and comedic aesthetic to the antique collection of William Johnston. The result is a collection full of theatrical contrasts – from vintage sensibilities to modern quirks – that are a joy to admire up close.

Corner Birdswood Avenue and Dallas Brooks Drive, East Melbourne

Until October 24

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Designer Series

This year's Designer Series is full of great local labels. While each night offers an impressive spread of designers, we're really looking forward to Runway 2, which features the spring collections of Above, Carly Hunter, LIFEwithBIRD and boutique offerings from Alice Euphemia, as well as the Runway 1 show, which will include Toni Maticevski and Michael Lo Sordo. Saturday night's Runway 4 show is bound to be the hot ticket of the week, with labels such as Alice McCall, Dress Up, Alpha 60 and Kuwaii showcasing their latest ranges.

Melbourne Town Hall

September 3 to September 8

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RMIT Student Runway

For a full-blown dose of fashion fantasy and creativity, the highly popular RMIT Student Runway show never fails to deliver. The dynamic and exciting runway event showcases the work of the university's top fourth-year fashion students.

Melbourne Town Hall

September 6, 6.30pm

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ACMI Fashion Films

As part of MSFW, ACMI will be screening an international collection of inspiring and insightful fashion films. We’re looking forward to seeing Visionaries: Inside the Mind of Tom Ford, a film featuring the ex-Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent designer talking candidly about his career, work ethic and why he decided to walk away from the two iconic fashion houses to enter the movie business and start his fashion career afresh. The other two films we recommend are part of the series The Day Before, in which cameras follow designers for 48 hours in the chaotic lead-up to the launch of their Spring Summer 2012 womenswear collections. The two labels featured are French fashion houses Lanvin and Isabel Marant, and the films give a captivating insight into the work that goes into staging an international-scale fashion show.

ACMI, Federation Square

September 3 to September 8

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Parallel Tensions Exhibition

Can't make it to any of the runway shows? You can get your fix at fortyfivedownstairs, where a new generation of innovative local designers are showcasing their creations via unique installations. Some of the designers to look out for include internationally stocked womenswear label Francis Leon and the monochromatic works of Melanie Bower.

45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

August 30 to September 8

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Collection 3056

For a unique visual experience, head to The Order of Melbourne on Swanston Street, where a collection of eight up-and-coming designers will be showcasing their latest works in the form of a runway show accompanied by visuals and electronic drawing from artist Kellie O'Dempsey.

Level 2, 401 Swanston Street, Melbourne

September 5

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In Our Own Back Yard

Learn about the ethics and sustainability practices of local labels at In Our Own Back Yard. Taking place at City Square on Tuesday afternoon, the session will explore what kinds of sustainable methods Australian labels are now employing during their day-to-day operations.

City Square, 44–86 Swanston Street, Melbourne

September 4

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**We have a double pass to each of the four Designer Series shows and the Emerging Designer Show to give away. To win please email win@broadsheet.com.au with ‘MSFW’ and your preferred show in the subject line.

Melbourne Spring Fashion Week runs from September 3 to 9, 2012.

msfw.com.au