Meet the New Designers turning unwanted clothing into Statement Fashion

by Sophie Newman

For fashion lovers, fashion weeks are about more than established designers showcasing their latest collections on runways. They are a festival of events to inspire and tantalise the public through the beauty and experience of quality garments, showcase emerging designer talents alongside the industry’s leading names, and forecast ‘trends’ from the most creative and adventurous looks.

These events can be an opportunity to express political statements, spark discussions and network with like-minded people, and at this year’s Melbourne Fashion Week we were thrilled to see sustainability, ethics and diversity align with fashion at a growing number of events on the schedule.

Epitomising this was Kangan Institute’s third annual Rags to Runway show, held at the Meat Market in Melbourne during Melbourne Fashion Week.

Kangan Institute’s annual Rags to Runway event tackles the issue of sustainability in fashion

The Rags to Runway program addresses growing environmental and ethical concerns about textiles manufacturing and waste in the fashion industry. The project challenges its fashion design students to rethink how and where materials are sourced, and to explore creative ways to reinvigorate recycled materials.

High Statement Fashion designed by Reginia Anzela & Fuyumi Kubo

Rags to Runway – Great Southern Style presented a runway show of over 50 new looks using upcycled and re-imagined textiles and garments, as 24 fashion students expressed their passion for sustainable fashion.

All garments and textiles were donated by Red Cross Australia and the ‘Great Southern Style’ theme encouraged students to infuse their designs with a uniquely Australian influence.

Australiana infused design by Yi Huan Liu

“Working [..on] this sustainability project will help me in industry because that’s the way we’re headed now – sustainability is going to be imperative in every company.” – student designer Kashel Porozny

Student designer Kashel Porozny believes sustainability is the future of business.

Not only do the next generation of designers understand the immediate need for sustainability, they are helping create an industry to support it. Credit also goes to Kangan who incorporate environmentally sustainability into their syllabus from day one.

Creativity meets sustainability – design by Aaron Train

Is this the future of Fashion? Design – Natasha Lazic

Beautiful, ethical and inclusive was this year’s Rags to Runway show. [Design by Nawaal.]

The future of fashion is in good hands.

For the full collection of designers and looks, view the slideshow.

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