Designer Marcia Hobbs of Barbwire Noose took men's police shirts to a whole new level! (Photo: Port Douglas Photographer)
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Eco Fashion Week Australia (EFWA) is underway in the Land Down Under with the first week held in Port Douglas, Queensland. An earlier call for designers to create one unique look using men’s shirts in the Upcycling Challenge created by Marilyn R. Wilson of Canada was again well received and on the opening night of EFWA2018 at the Port Douglas Community Hall, we were treated to the outcome of the challenge. 13 international and Australian designers showcased.
A dress made from used police shirts (above) was a show standout, as was another dress made from sewn together long strips of fabric. One of our favourites was the white evening gown.
The event website states, "The Upcycling Challenge provides an opportunity for sustainable designers to gain international attention, and to encourage designers who are currently not using sustainable practices to give it a try. The Challenge also promotes EFWA’s mandate to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle garments rather than have them sent to a landfill."
This year the challenge was supported by Australian fashion stylist Dalija Valhjov who received the
garments, set the show order and organized the fittings and show styling. “We’re so excited to have Dalija play such an
intricate part of the challenge this year,” said EFWA Upcycling Challenge brainchild, Marilyn R. Wilson, “We want thank everyone who took the time to submit such wonderfully creative pieces.”
Designers in the upcycle challenge in Port Douglas in order of appearance were: Marcia Hobbs of Barbwire Noose, Gigi Forget of Sal-vij by gigi, Tracy Kim of Trixed Up, Kathryn Davis of The Possibility Project, Aroha Langley, Anne Ruggieri, Denise Anglesey of Denise H and Founder of NZ Eco Fashion Week, Janine McAughren of Ghren, Regina Bochat, Carmel Ryan, and Papa Drew & ATHAN JON a.k.a Jonathan Pampling (collaborated on one garment).
Designed by Janine McAughren of Ghren, this lovely dress had to have taken hours to complete, as strips of cloth were sewn together. (Photo: Port Douglas Photographer)
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EFWA2018 continues this week with runway shows from Nov. 15 – 19 in Perth, Western Australia. The Upcycle Challenge will take place on opening night in Fremantle on Nov. 15. The event also holds workshops and seminars. All details are at
ecofashionweekaustralia.com.
Eco Fashion Week Australia proudly partners with
The Bahamas Weekly; Douglas
Shire Council; Explore Tropical North Queensland; Business Events
Cairns & Great Barrier Reef; Eluxe Magazine; luxiders; Be Global
Fashion Network; tommie magazine; Olio by Marilyn; Textile Beat;
Circular Style Magazine; Style Drama; Dowerin GWN Machinery Field Days;
LOIG'S MUSIC LAB; Dene Selby: Model School, Agency & Image Maker;
Xpression Models; Claire Hair Boutique; Notre Dame University; The
Beauty Room; QT Port Douglas; Ethically Kate; Slow Down Style; A Small
Wardrobe; Zuii Organic; Australian Made Campaign; Edith Cowan University
(ECU); Curtin University; Eco Fashion Talk; Rainforest Rescue; Sea
Shepherd Australia; Reef Restoration Foundation; Indigo, Citizens of the
Great Barrier Reef; and Curtin Springs Paper.
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
Men's white shirts never looked so elegant! A creation by Carmel Ryan. (Photo: Port Douglas Photographer)
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