A glimpse of things to come at the Melbourne Fashion Festival has revealed one key look for the season: anything elegant goes.

Accompanied by gypsy music, models wearing dusty-pink gowns, black leather, feathers, tulle and the odd cloche hat graced the steps of the GPO building at a preview in the central business district.

Platters of fruit were passed around by a male model dressed in a sharp black suit.

GPO marketing manager Tracey Winn said elegance was tipped to dominate the autumn and winter collections.

"Black and gold is big, but the colours of the season are quite varied from dark greys and camels through to the pales and some really vibrant ones as well," she said.

Ms Winn said audiences at the GPO catwalk shows could look forward to dancers and food in addition to key fashion designers in-line with the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, which kicks off on Friday.

"It's more an entertainment piece," Ms Winn said.

"We're fusing food and fashion together, which is an unusual thing to do."