To celebrate Collarts' partnership with Melbourne Fashion Week (M/FW) 2021, we're putting the spotlight on all things sustainability.
As the conversation around ethical fashion continues, sustainable practices are slowly being weaved into mainstream fashion.
More brands have stepped up to take part in the dialogue—whether showcasing upcycled collections, adopting the use of recycled materials, or simply sharing transparency about its practices.
Head of Fashion Dr Rachel Matthews shares, "Fashion weeks and runway shows have historically been used to whip up publicity and promote new ideas, often seen as glamorous marketing activities. However, I think we are seeing an evolution in the purpose of fashion weeks. They still operate as a celebration of fashion and highlight its inherent creative expression whilst also providing a chance for us to understand and address the challenges facing fashion right now.”
She continues, “Most people recognise that fashion can make us feel good. We just need to make sure we all understand how to 'do fashion' in more responsible and sustainable ways. Fashion weeks can be a good place to spread the word.”
So that you can make the most of your week ahead, we've rounded up all of the M/FW events with a focus on sustainability—including two of our very own.
AQUARIUM RUNWAY
WEDNESDAY 17TH NOVEMBER
Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium
Featuring Arnsdorf, búl, ELK, Gorman, Grace Lillian Lee, REMUSE, SISTER STUDIOS and SZN, see these brands come to life in a M/FW first, where models will wander through SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium surrounded by an underwater world.
Styled by Abby Bennett, the runway will showcase local designers who are taking steps toward slow fashion and sustainable practices allowing you to build a beautiful wardrobe without compromise.
BEYOND GREENWASHING
WEDNESDAY 17TH NOVEMBER
Online
The buzz around sustainability has certainly reached a fever pitch, but how can consumers sort the genuine change-makers from those simply jumping on a trend? Discover what's next for truly sustainable fashion in this in-depth talk about sustainability and its implications in the industry.
Guided by sustainable fashion expert and presenter of the Wardrobe Crisis Podcast, Clare Press, this talk focuses on responsible fashion, ethics and the circular economy, and features representatives from large retailers to independent brands, including Country Road’s Head of Sustainability Eloise Bishop; Ginger and Smart’s founder and designer Genevieve Smart; and Courtney Holm from circular fashion label A.BCH.
RECYCLING TEXTILES ROUNDTABLE
WEDNESDAY 17TH NOVEMBER
Online
Hosted by our Head of Fashion Dr Rachel Matthews, join the Collarts recycling textiles roundtable panel discussion, designed to extend the conversation on the potential benefits of re-cycled textiles for businesses, fashion and the general public.
Featuring Collarts Head of Fashion Marketing Debbie Pratt, the panel will draw together voices from various sectors of the industry–think fashion design and retail, fashion education, local government and emerging re-cycling businesses—to discuss the opportunities that are in store for the fashion industry.
SECOND STITCH CLOTHING REPAIR
FRIDAY 19TH NOVEMBER
Queen Victoria Women's Centre Trust
Save your much-loved clothes with this workshop hosted by Second Stitch, a social enterprise that empowers women from diverse backgrounds economically and socially through textiles.
Designed to give you essential tips and tricks for DIY repairs on your garments, this workshop invites you to bring along a couple of items from your wardrobe that need mending—whether it's a dress that needs patching up, a broken zip, or button—and the team at Second Stitch will guide you to bring them back to life.
SHARING, WEARING AND REPAIRING
MONDAY 15TH — SUNDAY 21ST NOVEMBER
Library at the Dock
See the work from our brilliant fashion cohort in this installation display running throughout the entirety of M/FW. The project examines four themes: shaping, wearing, repairing and caring.
Spotlighting the importance of sustainable fashion, the project sees a collaboration among Collarts fashion students to promote social connection; find it all displayed through the sharing of fashion information, textile knowledge and practical approaches, aiming to minimise environmental impact in a creative fashion.
M/FW will run between Monday 15th – Sunday 21st November 2021.
Images via Melbourne Fashion Week.
