The Melbourne Fair Celebrates 100 Years of Art Deco

The world renowned Melbourne Fair returns to Caulfield Racecourse from Thursday 3 July to Sunday 3 August, marking a major milestone: 100 years since the birth of Art Deco.

First showcased at the 1925 Paris Exposition, Art Deco quickly evolved into a global design phenomenon, known for its sleek elegance, streamlined forms, and symbolism of modern sophistication and progress.

This year's Fair is a celebration of that legacy, bringing together 59 of Australia's leading antique and design dealers under one roof.

Visitors can expect a dazzling and diverse range of Furniture, Fine Art, Decorative Arts, Jewellery from all eras, Vintage Fashion, Couture, Designer Pieces, Rare Books, Prints, Posters, Antiquities and Objets d'art, spanning from BC to the modern day.

Among the many highlights is a spectacular showcase of Art Deco treasures, including flapper dresses, headdresses, rare jewellery and Egyptian Revival pieces"paying homage to the worldwide fascination sparked by the 1922 discovery of King Tutankhamun's tomb.

Saturday afternoon (2 August) features a live fashion parade celebrating 100 Years of Art Deco, while on Sunday 3 August, crowd favourite Claudia Chan Shaw returns with an insightful talk on the enduring influence of Art Deco across architecture, fashion, and design.

Collectors and film lovers alike will be drawn to the Art Deco pieces featured in the upcoming movie R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots), currently in production at Fox Studios. Dealers Coutura Vintage and Artedeco will present select items from the film, including original dresses, lamps, and furniture.

Melbourne Fair organisers are inviting lovers of Vintage fashion to come to the Fair dressed to impress and enter the Best Dressed in Vintage Competition.  Winners will be judged in two categories at 3.15pm on Saturday 2 August:

• Vintage Purist (original Vintage)
• Vintage Reproduction (Vintage inspired)

Other unmissable highlights include:

• A Parisian Collection of Vintage Designer Luxury, curated over 30 years featuring iconic pieces from major couture houses
• A rare and important collection of Australian colonial gold rush jewellery presented by Trinity Antiques, showcasing the opulence of the 19th-century during its golden boom
• A previously unseen collection of over 200 Chinese artefacts dating from the Qing Dynasty, owned by Kenneth Ernest Frederick Millar, a British Army Major and researcher who travelled extensively through China from the 1930s to 1950s. Presented by Spirit of Asia, this collection includes imperial robes, embroidered accessories, and incredibly rare micro snuff dishes"comparable only to those held in Beijing's national museums
• A premium selection of vintage Cartier jewellery, including necklaces and presentation boxes, alongside rare 1950s Rolex watches, presented by some of Australia's top jewellery dealers
• Wardrobe treasures worn by Marilyn Monroe and Katharine Hepburn, to be shown on the catwalk and available for purchase

Feature Talks & Events Schedule
All talks and fashion parades included with general admission.

Saturday 2 August
12pm – 12.45pm – 100 Years of Art Deco: A Fashion Parade Through Time
A live runway event celebrating a century of Art Deco influence, from 1920s glamour to modern elegance.

1pm – 2pm – Streams of Fire and Tongues of Flame with Geoffrey Edwards
Explore the recurring symbolism of glass in visual art, literature, and cinema with ArtsNational President Geoffrey Edwards.

2.15pm – 3.15pm – Coats & Bling – A Fashion Parade Through the Decades
From Jazz Age opulence to contemporary style, discover how coats and outerwear have shaped fashion history.

Sunday 3 August
2pm – 2.45pm – 100 Years of Art Deco with Claudia Chan Shaw
An exploration of Art Deco's rich visual culture, from architecture and fashion to the modern influence it continues to inspire.

3pm – 3.45pm – Egyptomania and Art Deco Fashion with Eleanor Keene
Discover how ancient Egypt inspired the bold motifs, colours, and designs that defined 1920s fashion and the Art Deco movement.


The Melbourne Fair is more than an event"it's a cultural experience, offering visitors the chance to connect with history, design, and rare craftsmanship.

Whether you're an avid collector or curious browser, this year's Melbourne Fair promises to be the most vibrant and comprehensive yet.

Tickets are on sale now at https://themelbournefair.com.au/ or can be purchased at the door.