Let’s Party! Fashion for Kids turns the NGV into a disco of creativity

This summer, the National Gallery of Victoria will sparkle with colour, music and imagination as it opens Let’s Party! Fashion for Kids: Designed by Danielle Brustman, a free interactive exhibition transforming the NGV’s Children’s Gallery into a vibrant fashion playground.

Opening on November 28, the exhibition invites children and families to step into a world of dressing up, dancing and self-expression through fashion. Designed by award-winning Melbourne designer Danielle Brustman, Let’s Party! combines dazzling displays from the NGV’s Fashion and Textiles Collection with immersive, hands-on experiences for young visitors.

At its heart is a glowing dance floor surrounded by glittering disco balls, where kids can choose songs from a jukebox and “dance like no one’s watching.” Around the space, more than 35 spectacular garments and accessories will be on show, from haute couture to streetwear, featuring designers such as Issey Miyake, Romance Was Born, Imane Ayissi, Lisa Waup x Verner, Nixi Killick, Jean Paul Gaultier and Yves Saint Laurent.

Brustman has reimagined the gallery as a lively, theatrical setting full of texture, light and movement.

Known for her bold use of colour and geometric design, she has created what NGV director Tony Ellwood AM described as “a joyful and inclusive experience that encourages children to explore fashion, express themselves and celebrate who they are through the fun and freedom of play.”

A major inspiration for Brustman’s design is Japanese fashion designer Tomo Koizumi’s Look 27, a dazzling rainbow of 200 metres of ruffled organza that embodies the exuberance and energy of the exhibition.

Children will also find a dress-up zone filled with costumes shaped like stars, hearts and lightning bolts, created by Melbourne costume designer Brynna Lowen. Custom mirrors styled like vintage vanities invite kids to admire their outfits before stepping into a photo booth for their own “runway moment.”

Visitors can also decorate party hats with stickers and sequins to wear and take home, adding to the atmosphere of creativity and celebration.

Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks said the exhibition was “a fun and creative activity for kids” that reflected the government’s commitment to making the arts accessible to families across Victoria.

Let’s Party! Fashion for Kids: Designed by Danielle Brustman opens November 28 and runs until May 6, 2026, at NGV International, St Kilda Rd. Entry is free.

ngv.melbourne •