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From:TheBahamasWeekly.com Focus on Fashion
Eco Fashion Week Australia (EFWA) closed on November 29 and was held in two locations in this its second year. First opening in Port Douglas, Queensland, an eco tourism destination closest to the world's oldest and largest rainforest, the Daintree and the seventh wonder of the world, the Great Barrier Reef. The event then moved to Western Australia to the Fremantle Community Bank Oval. Fremantle is where the inaugural EFWA event was held last year and is situated near Perth.
55 local and international designers took part, making it the the largest eco fashion week in the world. With the support of 72 fashion models, 125 hair and makeup stylists, 150 volunteers and 500 meals, the team have definitely become a tight-knit family with many of the models' mothers helping backstage to ensure everyone was being supported.
"Fashion has always belonged to the privileged, and a handful of fashionistas. Not the ordinary people. We aim to change that," said founder Zuhal Kuvan-Mills. "When community comes together to run an event like this, they are able to
take a good look at who is making clothing, to be curious as to
how it is manufactured, and to embrace eco designers working in their region,” said Zuhal-Mills.
“Our goal is to
ignite and inspire attendees to change their perspective on fashion."
The event is quickly becoming known for its diversity and inclusiveness. Models are all ages, shapes and sizes, and abilities. This year, model Tia Semi, who was born unable to walk and lives with multiple disabilities, was on the runway representing over ten designers. Her physiotherapist proudly watched in the audience. "I was diagnosed at 5 1/2 months old with my disability and my parents were told I wouldn't walk. It was my physio that said 'I think she will', and not only do I walk, I walked for Eco Fashion Week Australia!" Another community component of the event is the nightly Style it Green makeover runway show by eco stylist Dalija Vlahov, which was a delightful break into lighthearted fun as five people volunteering from the audience were made over in a $5 thrift store little black dress with accessories. They then get a chance to walk the runway in their new look. This year an elderly woman with her walker volunteered and walked the catwalk to thunderous applause.
Waste as a resource was a large component of EFWA, as many of the designers practise zero waste methods, and labels like Beads 'n Pods (jewelry from used coffee pods), The Junk Weavers (upcycled packaging and wrappers, junk mail, etc. woven into handbags, earrings, bracelets and bowls), and Sylvia Calvo BCN (upcycled jute coffee bags) showed ingenuity.
Education was key. EFWA2018 offered mending workshops run by Textile Beat's Jane Milburn, the author of Slow Clothing. Clothing swaps, secondhand markets, and the Disposable Planet 2 seminars were all part of the two week event. Speakers like Sass Brown, author of "Eco Fashion" and "Refashion;" sustainability editor for Vogue Magazine, Claire Press; Jane Milburn, author of "Slow Clothing;" sustainability consultant, Marina Chahboune of Beyond Fashion; Jeff Hansen of Sea Shepherd Australia; and Nicki Colls of Fibreshed Melbourne. Also speaking at the seminars was Julia Leu, Bridgette Gower, Stewart Christie, Peta Slack-Smith, Sylvia Calvo, Chiara Spagnoli Gabardi, Robbin Whachell, Natalie Shehata and Rachel Pemberton. Radio personality and event MC, Angie Ayers kept audiences entertained with personal insights and industry statistics. She said that only a short year ago she was not interested in fashion, but by learning about the planetary challenges we're facing due to the effects of fast fashion she's now become one of the event's ambassadors.
For the second year, a Facebook livestream was set up between EFWA and the Girona, Spain design school, Espai de Qstura thanks to Barcelona designer Sylvia Calvo. Joining her in fielding questions by faculty and students were Belvis Soler, Robbin Whachell, and Chiara Spagnoli Gabardi. Eco Fashion Week Australia
accepts designers who create with
organic, recycled or upcycled fabrics, or use or create with traditional
hand-crafted textiles; use environmentally friendly fabrics (organic
cotton, wool, alpaca, hemp, bamboo, silk ); show evidence of zero waste
in their collection; and use locally produced products.
International designers included: Connally McDougall (Canada); Hiroaki Tanaka (Japan); Zuzann Hrubos (Czech Republic); Francesca Phipps (UK); Betty Spoke (UK); Sylvia Calvo (Spain); Marita Moreno (Portugal); MOLA (Uruguay); Things of Substance (Vietnam); Ren (Turkey); and Robert Naorem (India).
With wool being one of the most sustainable fibres on the planet, and Western Australia producing 71 million kg of wool per year, it was definitely highlighted at the event with the Merino Wool Challenge sponsored by Peter Scanlan Wools. The outcome was incredible and proved how very versatile this product is.
Returning this year was the intriguing Upcycling Challenge by Marilyn Wilson and Dalija Vlahov, where 13 Australian and international fashion designers created one runway look from upcycled men's dress shirts.
Anita Moon Awards of Excellence were presented to Regina Bochat for Best Australian Student Designer; Tayla Parnham for Best Australian Emerging Designer; Pearlita Orongan for Best Australian Home Sustainable Garment; and Rose Mercer of Livie Rose Designs received the Australian Made Design Award.
Eco Fashion Week Australia has jumped into the lead as the top eco fashion week on the planet, and seeing such amazing growth this year, we are eager to see what Kuvan-Mills and her team will create in 2019.
EFWA2018 presenting designers: Green Embassy, Connally McDougall, Curtin Springs Paper, Gemini Kite, Francesca Phipps, Sylvia Calvo, MOLA Curated Collection, Jude Taylor, Melaleuca Rise, CLAWDI, Pattern by Design, Nickelby Designs, Zuzana Hrubos, Classic Couture Vintage & Bridal, Junk Weavers Inc., Satisha, Skylark the Label, Barbwire Noose, BIRDTRIBE, Ren, Fabric of Nature, Livie Rose Designs, Studio Membrane, Beads 'n Pods, Sustainable Couture, Murii Quu Couture, EFWA Upcycling Challenge by Marilyn Wilson, Betty Spoke, Marita Moreno, NoRuYeLo, Robert Naorem, Ku'arlu Mangga, Leah Kelly by Design, Ngali, Things of Substance. For more information go to: ecofashionweekaustralia.com
About the author: Robbin Whachell is a publicist, writer, photo-journalist; and the co-founder of TheBahamasWeekly.com. She can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linked In, Skype. She can be reached at robbinwhachell@gmail.com
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