Future Fashion Now

Future Fashion Now was held at St Kilda Town Hall on 3 June 2011 to mark World Environment Day. A huge hit, the event attracted 500+ attendees from as far as Dandenong, Keilor and Mornington. Future Fashion Now showcased Melbourne, NSW and WA fashion designers, vintage suppliers, and crafty-persons that apply environmental or social sustainability principles to their creations and wares. This was a FREE EnviroEvent for the Port Phillip community and beyond.

FUTURE FASHION NOW - WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT THEN?

Bring along clothes to swap, and learn how to: make gorgeous jewellery from old/broken pieces; sew necklaces from fabric off-cuts; transform worn t-shirts into funky accessories; learn to fold origami "shirts" using old magazines; make a bolero from old jumpers; manipulate fabric on old garments for new effects; make sock monkeys, dolls and baskets from reused materials; and learn to knit! Looking for a Friday night glam fix? Then head to the "Glam Station" for a mini-makeover.

After all that creative crafting and frenzied clothes-swapping, you can sit back with a delicious bite to eat and enjoy a runway show by some of Melbourne's most cutting-edge designers and suppliers who emphasise not only exceptional style and quality, but environmental and social sustainability to boot. Kicking-off the parade, we will be treated to the amazing hip-hop dance talents of RISE, and see Elwood College students parade outfits they will design from material waste in the "Trash to Treasure" design race. Also see Elwood College year 11 students parade outfits they've styled from Sacred Heart Mission Opshop bargains. One of Melbourne's treasured old school DJs, Damian Laird, will be spinning funky beats, and as MCs for the show we have the infamous, flamboyant "Green Queen" of St Kilda, Kaye Sera, and Port Phillip's very own "Vintage Beauty", Louarna.

A photo exhibition from the "I Made This!" Facebook competition will be on display, with winners decided by audience secret ballot on the night. “I Made This!” is a competition for amateur makers of clothes, shoes, accessories, craft, homewares and decorations. As long as what you make is not a profession and you don’t generate a regular income from it, then you can enter. Fabulous prizes add even more excitement to this event, with first and second place prize packs for the winners of the competition (valued at over $600), plus over a dozen different prizes for the audience including vouchers from Passionfoods, Frocks and Slacks, South Melbourne Market, Knit Knit, and some of the featured designers!

DESIGNERS

WORKSHOPS

PRIZES AND SPONSORS

DESIGNERS

Bhalo designs limited edition women's clothing and accessories, made from only ethically hand woven and naturally dyed cottons and silks. Their garments are designed using a variety of fun colour and graphic influences inspired by the designers' travels.

Bhalo travel to rural villages in Bangladesh, for both sampling and production, where they work with a collective of local fair trade producers. As well as being focused on ethical working conditions and community development, Bhalo's production has a green focus also. The cotton is not only AZO chemical free, but also hand loomed and hand embroidered. Silks are hand printed and all of the sewing is mostly done by foot powered pedal sewing machines, giving opportunities to people who would have otherwise been left behind by the mechanisation of the garment industry.

brkich is a fledgling label based in Melbourne, Australia.

brkich produces short run hand screen printed fabrics which are then used to create clothing, accessories and other unique objects.

brkich prints and garments are designed to be distinctive. The quirky use of unusual motifs creates an identifiable style.

brkich controls all aspects of the production process, from the initial design concept, pattern making and hand screen printing to creating the finished garment. The entire process is undertaken in the Thornbury studio.

brkich produces short runs of fabric and garments. This maintains a high level of integrity and quality of design and production.

brkich maintains a focus on natural fibres and fabrics that are sourced locally. By taking the time to create a well thought out and hand crafted garment brkich encourages the wearer to respect the process behind each piece and to instil a sense of value which dissuades the all to common notion of 'throwaway fashion'.

Emma Grace is an emerging designer and maker of wearable objects. For Emma, the process of creation involves both style and substance. In this way, the jewellery becomes more than just an adornment; it is something to be treasured on many levels.

Emma is committed to make eye-catching, unique jewellery that is both environmentally and socially sustainable. By using recycled materials in her work, some of the significant negative environmental and social impacts are reduced, leading to a better outcome for society.

Etiko Fair Trade specialises in developing and marketing ethically sourced and eco friendly clothing, footwear and sports gear. Winner of numerous business sustainability and social justice awards Etiko Fair Trade works with farmer and worker owned co-operatives as well as fairtrade and non-sweatshop accredited manufacturers around the world. A pioneer of fairtrade in the Australian fair trade movement Etiko Fair Trade has recently started working with acclaimed Australian artists to market tshirts with their unique design.

Most of their products are sourced from fairtrade accredited (FLO) manufacturers in India and Pakistan. The cotton used in both the shoes and garments are certified organic by GOTS. The rubber used in the sneakers has been certified by the FSC.

Classically designed and impeccably cut handmade shoes. Hobes are comfort, luxury, simplicity. Offering a contemporary take on traditional styling, Hobes deliver the perfect fit and endless miles.

Each pair of Hobes is finished with an impeccable attention to detail. Handmade from the highest quality materials and with plenty of miles built into each pair, Hobes have been designed to last and be worn time and time again.

Hobes are made by an Italian company. Each pair of Hobes is handmade with the utmost care and consideration. Materials sourced are of the highest quality and we ensure that all areas of manufacturing and product sourcing are as sustainable as possible. The Hobes production occurs within a small, boutique family owned company. Production conditions are of the highest standard and the Hobes team frequently travels to spend time with their suppliers to ensure these standards are maintained.

Looming's pieces are hand-woven in Melbourne by the designer and talented hand weavers from RMIT Brunswick's Textile Design & Development course. Looming works predominantly with natural fibres and local yarns (where possible), as well as wastage from other weaving projects and recycled garments.

LUcÉ handmade originals are made from the fabric of life, with passion and a strong focus on using sustainable fabrics to create something beautiful, the pieces cross the boundaries of art and fashion.

Inspired by the materials at hand, the creation and construction process of all LUcÉ handmade products is unique and some-what organic, each piece evolves in a spontaneous and generally free-form way. Original and unlike mass produced goods, their uniqueness is a part of the LUcÉ handmade design philosophy.

Mainichi inverts the concept of precious jewellery. They use no precious metals or jewels. Instead, unexpected, ordinary and everyday materials are transformed to become pieces of wearable art. Some favourite materials include recycled leather, vintage fabrics, timber, plastics, hemp and linen threads, wool, felt and bamboo.

Monolog are a Melbourne based design project that has been lovingly nurtured for several years. It is simply a celebration of graphics, forms and modularity. In developing their products they make our best attempts to be environmentally conscious - from using organic materials and processes to recycling waste where possible. They are also very much inspired to be practical and versatile.

Fabrics are sourced from various knitting mills in Australia and screen printed internally by Monolog. The piece are made by a Brunswick based clothing manufacturer, overseen the by the designer.

Moral Fibre is driven by an authentic commitment to social justice and environmental responsibility.

They endeavour to ensure that all steps in their supply chain are carried out in a manner consistent with Fair Trade & environmentally accredited principles. They are committed to wrapping the world in moral fibre's eco luxury, cool t-shirts & making them everyday clothing of choice for the conscious consumer.

Porphyra designs bags and belts from natural & recycled materials.

All items are designed and made in Elwood, Melbourne by hand & sewing machine, using 100% Green electricity. Discarded and recycled materials are used where possible, and where new leather is used a maximum efficiency of the material is applied.

PRIMOEZA is a Melbourne based knitwear label producing refined, wearable pieces that are stocked in boutiques in Australia and overseas. The label currently has a small scale production process that is located in Melbourne. Items are made to order in house so there is tight quality control on product and working conditions, and excess stock is kept to a minimum. Locally produced yarn is used where possible, as is recycled stock for printing and green energy. The main materials used are wool and alpaca yarn.

Sa.gom~e

Japanese inspired shapes for plus sizes, using minimalist methods and natural fabrics, vintage obis, recycled fabrics or altered recycled clothing.

The garments are made by the designer and a local dressmaker. The production of the garments are based on a minimalist method, patterns are deconstructed or based on a square, whereby there is minimal waste of fabric and cutting. Manufacturing is kept to a minimum, less machining, less energy consumption. Sizing is kept to one size fits all or small to large, which minimises cutting time. Sa.gom~e uses mostly natural fabrics and are sourced from designer surplus and offcut fabrics, vintage kimonos and recycled clothes.

Sunčana

Sunčana design ladies wear with adjustable waist of skirts and dresses, one offs, painted and felted pieces incorporated into vintage cotton, linen and wool. Everything is designed and made in the designer's Balaclava studio, and most materials used are designer off cuts, vintage and one off.

The Social Studio is a dynamic space where clothing is created from the style and skills of the young refugee community. Recycled and excess manufacturing materials are gathered from local industry and re-configured into original clothing.

The Social Studio empowers young people to achieve their dreams through social enterprise. The main barriers faced by newly arrived members of the community are unemployment, isolation and difficulties accessing education and training. The Social Studio addresses these problems in four ways: creating jobs; providing education; encouraging community engagement and social inclusion.

WORKSHOPS

The Treasury

The Treasury workshop is based on the simple ethos that everything has potential and nothing is trash.
Participants are invited to bring along broken or un-loved jewellery and found objects, to fix or re-create into something new and unique.

The Treasury is an opportunity to re-connect with the idea of community; to exchange skills, materials, thoughts and inspiration. Participants will sit around the table with plates of old and tattered jewellery piled high and leave at the end of the day with a bundle of ‘new' jewellery and a bunch of new friends.

The Treasury is about sustainable fashion - moving away from ‘throw-away culture' and leading back towards the way we used to live, where if something broke, you fixed it. Simple as that.

The Beehive

For the beginner and advanced knitters! Beginners will learn the basics of knitting and start their own knitting project. The more advanced knitters will be able to try something trickier, with the talented Gina available to put you on the right path if you go astray.

Every knitter gets to take home a set of knitting needles, a ball of wool and instructions on how to get your project finished by yourself!

Refashionation Station

Sock monkey magic!! Make an irresistable monkey out of a pair of socks! You will fall in love with the quirky sock monkey, which is easy to make, all materials provided, no sewing experience needed- perfect for young mums!
Jacket Refashion!! Upstyle a cardigan into a cool bolero/shrug. Once you learn this easy restyling technique, your current wardrobe will multiply in possibilities without any new purchases!! No sewing experience required! Age Group: 18+
Fabric Scrap Apps!! We will refashion odd scraps of material and turn them into beautiful belts, scarves and fabric brooches using a simple technique!!

Scrap Happy

Using scraps of material to create "Suffolk puffs" or "yo-yos" which can then be built into accessories, like gorgeous necklaces, or used for appliqué or other decorative endeavours. So many possibilities!

Ready to Where?

Join this DIY workstation to explore community connections & creative mapping. You'll help make a map celebrating creative connections in Port Phillip and spotlighting fashion swaps, vintage stores, op shops, repair shops, art & craft markets, stores & get togethers etc along the handmade, reuse, repurpose theme. You will also have the chance to make their own set of gift tags or bunting flags.

Flash Trash!

That ugly, baggy t-shirt that has been hiding in the back of your cupboard for years... I think it's time we gave it a new life. In 25 minutes we are going to hack it up and reinvent it into an versatile accessory that you'll be proud to wear in public!

Hello Dolly
Use recycled wire, wool, and fabric remnants, to create a unique doll that reflects what's important to you right now.... perhaps a protector for your home, a reminder of your inner wisdom, for peace, or friendship...
Random Weave
Use recycled wire, wool, and fabric remnants to create a colourful little basket or start a bigger one.

^{Image courtesy of: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net}

GLAM STATION

Get a mini-makeover by NKV Creations using MAC makeup.

MAC makeup was selected for this event because of their sustinability initiatives. They accept returns of MAC primary packaging and give you free makeup as a reward! They also have a fund that provides assistance to people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.