EFWA 2026 DESIGNERS

Green Embassy - AUSTRALIA

Zuhal Kuvan-Mills is a true pioneer in sustainable fashion. Her journey from being a veterinary surgeon, Higher education lecturer to becoming a renowned eco-fashion designer is inspiring. Her brand, Green Embassy, is a testament to her commitment to sustainability, organic agriculture, and slow fashion.

Zuhal's designs are not just beautiful but also carry a deeper meaning. Her use of 100% certified organic materials, zero-waste production, and handmade techniques sets a high standard for sustainable fashion. The fact that she's based on a bush property in Perth's outer fringes and draws inspiration from nature is reflected in her earthy yet sublime designs.

It's wonderful to see her combining traditional textile crafting techniques with modern, minimalist designs. Her story highlights the importance of preserving traditional skills and promoting sustainable practices in the fashion industry.

Green Embassy's focus on creating wearable pieces of art that are both functional and thought-provoking is truly commendable. Zuhal's passion for nature, art, and sustainability shines through in every aspect of her work.

Jose Hendo - UNITED KINGDOM 

Jose Hendo is a British award-winning eco-sustainable designer/artist of Ugandan origin. She is the founder of the José Hendo brand, based in London, the Bark To The Roots (B2TR) initiative and the R3 Campaign. She promotes the use of organic, eco-textiles and recycled materials to create unique - often avant-garde - garments, and accessories for both women and men. Jose Hendo challenges the throwaway culture, supports ethical values, and works towards protecting biodiversity, the environment and the barkcloth heritage.

“Designing now requires an awareness of the impact on the environment,” says Hendo, Therefore the choices we make have a far-reaching effect. That is why I say the history of our creations is just as important as their future.” In her desire for a circular and sustainable future, ‘sustainable by design’ is her mantra, from material choices and clever cutting, to up-cycling and simplified production processes. This is apparent in both her artworks and eco-fashion pieces.

She works extensively with Ugandan barkcloth, the production of which is centuries-old technique. It is considered the oldest cloth made by man and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Material in 2005. As the Mutuba tree regenerates another bark to be harvested every year for up to sixty years and more, this organic cloth that predates the weaving era is the best ambassador for sustainability.

In 2014, Jose Hendo launched an initiative called Bark To The Roots (B2TR), which has led to her being connected to one of the communities in Uganda who have preserved the heritage of making barkcloth. In 2016, a major campaign to plant Mutuba (Ficus Natalensis) trees was launched by B2TR to help preserve this heritage and environment.

Furthermore in 2014, impelled by the tragedy of the Rana Plaza building collapse in Bangladesh, she launched her R3 (Reduce Reuse Recycle) Campaign using workshops, talks, and exhibitions to encourage change, calling on all of us, every man, woman and child to save our planet.

Jose Hendo’s background was art and has always made artworks but during the pandemic she started working on a range using barkcloth entirely as the canvas, paint and brush. Most of her eco-fashion work has always been considered as wearable art because of the avant garde nature of it.

Museums and institutions which have José Hendo garments in their permanent collections include the British Museum, the National Museum of Scotland, Uganda National Museum amongst others. Her designs are inspired by a mixture of Hendo’s African heritage and British influence. Barkcloth features in all her design series, used innovatively alongside other eco and organic fabrics. Upcycling is also a major part of her zero-waste approach. The most important thing in her work is the need to protect biodiversity, the environment, natural resources and the barkcloth heritage.

Sylvia Calvo BCN - SPAIN

Sylvia Calvo, born in Barcelona, studied English Philology and a MBA in Chicago, USA, where she lived for about 15 years. After attending a conference about Eco-Fashion in 2012, she started to investigate sustainable fashion and the alternatives available to have a positive social, economic and environmental impact in the fashion industry.

In 2015, she created “Sylvia Calvo BCN”, working mainly with original used coffee bags to transform them into garments and complements. Furthermore, Sylvia co-founded the Nonprofit Association “Moda Sostenible Barcelona” (MSBCN), the first association of this kind in Spain, in order to promote the benefits of sustainable fashion, its creation, production and sale, and to bring it closer to consumers.

Sylvia stands out as a speaker and promoter of circular fashion and circular economy. Sylvia is now a board member of ModaFad, Gremi Artesà Tèxtil de Catalunya, and PIMEC, as well as a member of PIMEC’s Circular Economy Commission.

 Atelier Zuhal - AUSTRALIA

Zuhal Kuvan-Mills is a multifaceted artist and designer based in Western Australia, renowned for her sustainable and eco-friendly approach to fashion. With a background in veterinary Medicine,Animal and environmental conservation, Zuhal transitioned to art and design, graduating with a Visual Arts degree from Curtin University. She is the founder and curator of Eco Fashion Week Australia, a prominent platform showcasing eco-conscious fashion. Zuhal also owns two labels: Atelier Zuhal, specializing in handmade textiles using alpaca and merino fibers, and Green Embassy, an avant-garde slow fashion label employing earth-friendly techniques .

Her work is characterized by :

• Sustainable Materials: Using certified organic fibers like alpaca, merino, and silk

• Handcrafted Techniques: Emphasizing traditional methods and minimal waste

• Environmental Awareness: Highlighting the importance of eco-friendly practices in fashion

Zuhal's designs have been showcased internationally, and she is recognized as a pioneer in sustainable fashion more than a decade .Her story serves as an inspiration to those seeking a more environmentally conscious approach to art and fashion.

LJR Design by Linda Russel - AUSTRALIA

Linda Russell, the designer behind LJR Design, a label dedicated to sustainability, artistry, and cultural preservation.

A passion for design began as a child watching my mother sew, inspiring a lifelong respect for craftsmanship and creativity. With a background in art and graphic design, I see fashion as a storytelling medium that connects people, culture, and nature.

The current collection highlights the endangered traditional Donggala textiles of Indonesia, whose survival is threatened by fast fashion and globalization. Through collaboration with sustainable initiatives such as EFWA, Central Sulawesi Government and the Indonesian Embassies, our aim is to highlight and support local artisans, preserve traditional techniques, and share the deep cultural and ecological wisdom woven into these fabrics. Crafted from organic and natural materials, we will honour the artistry of heritage while reimagining it for contemporary life — a bridge between the past and a more conscious, sustainable future.

Leah Kelly by Design - AUSTRALIA

Leah Kelly has been making exquisite, handmade organic garments for over 40 years. Taught to hand sew and embroider by her grandmother where she grew up in Gulgong, country NSW, she has extended her flair over the years to include semi-precious stones, shells, wood and seeds to embellish her work. Leah takes on the individual desires of each customer to produce a personalised piece of wearable art that will surely become a family heirloom, as the organic fabrics Leah chooses will withstand the test of time.

Having studied 5 years in a degree of Environmental Health, Leah is constantly aware of the energetical content of life & has incorporated her knowledge into a Unique sustainable Fashion Label. Her choice of natural fibers include hemp, hemp/silk blends, silk, bamboo, pineapple fiber, banana bark; banana peel, which is sourced from various regions of the world, usually produced by independent families, hence continuing the support of a sustainable fashion.

Leah designs and makes her unique organic pieces, in her completely off grid home/studio in the middle of the rainforest, promoting 100% the value of home cottage industries of Australia.

Having showcased on national and international runways, such as Eco Fashion Week Australia ( EFWA) since 2018 and RIFTS (Regional Indigenous Fashion Textile Showcase), Leah has been recognized by Oxford Fashion Studio, UK as one of Australia’s leading fashion designers, having showcased at London Fashion Week September SS22.

She has showcased International Sustainable Fashion Festival in WA during 2024 , organized by EFWA and 

participated Exhibition and Runway shows titled 'Closet of the Anthropocene' in Florance 2025.

Samantha Faye Designs - CANADA

Samantha Faye is a Calgary-based sustainable fashion designer with a background in Costume Cutting and Design from Olds College: The Fashion Institute. Her work blends artistry, purpose, and environmental awareness, inspired by the connection between designers and traditional textile artisans whose craft keeps culture alive and sustains communities.

She has showcased her designs internationally — from Eco Fashion Week Australia in 2024, where one of her garments walked the world’s longest jetty, to exhibiting her wearable art piece Cecaelia in Florence, Italy in 2025 for the Closet of Anthropocene show.

A 2024 Future Oceans International show winner, Samantha continues to create pieces that inspire awareness and positive change for a more sustainable future.

Fabric of Nature- AUSTRALIA

Tayla Parnham is an established designer based in the Wheatbelt of Western Australia, dedicated to creating sustainable Eco fashion.

Through her work, seek to raise awareness about the impact on our fragile environment particular seen in Western Australian bushland. Drawing inspiration from the vast and diverse landscapes around her, the pieces incorporate natural fibres and eco dying techniques with eucalyptus leaves and upcycling garments to mirror the beauty and fragility of our surroundings. With a strong focus on sustainability, the label aims to advocate for a more conscious and slow approach to fashion, empowering people to see garment as a connection to nature.

Through her designs, she strives to create awareness about our roles with the environment and the importance of preserving it for future generations. Fabric of Nature has showcased collections since 2017 at Eco Fashion Week Australia ( EFWA) and won nominated best emerging eco fashion designer at the 2018 show and has won the Best Ethical Brand of 2024 by Eluxe Magazine 

Tayla participated EFWA 24 month long Sustainable Fashion Festival in WA as well as Florance 2025 Exhibition and Runway shows.

Amee Dennis - FIbre Artist, Designer & Storyteller- AUSTRALIA

Amee Dennis is a South Australian fibre artist, designer, and storyteller whose work is grounded in authenticity and connection to place. Working between the farm and the studio, she transforms raw, locally sourced materials — from alpaca fleece raised on her family property to handmade paper crafted from native Central Australian grasses — into handcrafted jewellery, accessories, clothing, and art that celebrate the natural colours, textures, and the stories behind them.

Her paddock-to-product philosophy bridges agriculture and art, exploring how materials can retain the truth of where they came from while being re-imagined through design. Each work carries an honesty born from the land — imperfect, resilient, and beautifully real.

Amee’s work unites refined design with authenticity, proving that style and substance can share the same story. Her pieces are intentional — created to be touched, worn, or lived with. For her, design is storytelling; a conversation between maker, material, and environment. She works with what the land provides and redefines it, proving that authenticity outlasts trends — and that true creativity begins in the paddock, not the studio.

Atelier Biologico - ITALY

Debora Frosini Born in Florence, Italy, after completing her studies, she began working in her mother’s atelier, where she learned everything about knitwear.
In 2009, she had the opportunity to collaborate with one of the first sustainable fashion brands and ateliers in Italy, which made her aware of the environmental impact of the fashion industry.

Throughout her career, she has collaborated with schools, associations, and independent cinema.

She volunteered for the Slow Fashion Movement in Italy and also participated in EFWA 2024 in Perth and EFWA Florence 2025 (May) with her capsule collection, Earth Elements—inspired by nature.

Nenjaka - INDONESIA

Heaven Tungga, affectionately known as Heaven, was born in Palu on March 25, 1999, to Rev. Markus Tungga, S.Th., and Rev. Fani Panganso, S.Pd. He earned his Bachelor of Management degree from Abdul Aziz Lamadji University in 2023 and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Management.

As a creative and visionary designer, Heaven finds deep fulfillment in transforming his ideas into wearable works of art. His passion for fashion drives him to continually innovate and produce designs that captivate and inspire audiences.

Heaven has showcased his collections at numerous fashion events, including:

• Eco Fashion Week Australia 2025

• Jogja Fashion Week 2025

• Jogja Fashion Trend 2024

• Grand Model Indonesia 2023

• Grand Model Indonesia 2022

• Palu Fashion Figure 2022

In addition to his design work, Heaven is also dedicated to supporting pageant queens, helping them present their best selves through his creative vision.

The name of his brand, “NENJAKA,” originates from the Kaili language of Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, meaning “very bright.” It perfectly reflects Heaven’s ambition, creativity, and the radiant spirit he brings to every creation.

Llynette Neil - AUSTRALIA

As an 82-year-old farmer’s wife, my life and art have always been intertwined with the rhythms of the land. For over sixty years, I have explored the textures, colours, and stories that emerge from fabric and thread. Textile art has been both my creative voice and my constant companion — a way to express the quiet beauty, endurance, and transformation that come from a life lived close to nature.

My work often draws inspiration from the landscapes that surround me: the changing seasons, the softness of worn cloth, and the traces of memory that linger in everyday materials. Through stitching, layering, and dyeing, I reflect on the passage of time and the deep connection between women’s hands and the fabric of home and community.

Each piece I create carries a story — of work, love, and resilience — shaped by the simplicity and honesty of rural life. Textile art, for me, is not only about creating something beautiful, but about honouring a lifetime of making, mending, and belonging.

Wool Si - AUSTRALIA

Alla Salem is a Western Australian textile artist specialising in the ancient technique of felting. Using Australian wool and a variety of textile remnants, she creates original, wearable artworks that merge tradition with innovation. Her distinctive hand-felted designs can be found in collections across Australia and internationally.

Working under her brand WoolSi, Alla has spent over a decade exploring the expressive potential of merino and other unspun wools. Her sustainable practice incorporates diverse materials—textile remnants, knitting yarns, and both natural and synthetic fibres—to produce, high-quality interior and wearable pieces that bridge art and design.

Alla’s work has been exhibited in group shows, private commissions, and boutique galleries throughout Australia. She regularly shares her knowledge through workshops and presentations, fostering appreciation for the art of felting. An active member of the Western Australian Fibre & Textile Association (WAFTA). In 2021 she participated with a collection of felted wearables in WAFTA members exhibition at the Kings Park and served on the exhibition committee for twentyfive+ crossover curated exhibition at the Holmes à Court Gallery (2022).

Her felted installation ‘Burnt by the Sun’ was a finalist in the Mid West Art Prize (2023) at the Geraldton Regional Art Gallery, and in 2024, her collaborative work ‘Yugen’ was exhibited in a collective WAFTA members exhibition ReGEN at the Moore Building Artspace in Fremantle.

That same year, Alla was honoured to present her ‘Terra Australis’ collection at the Eco-Fashion Week Australia 2024, followed by an international showcase in Florence, Italy. ‘Terra Australis’ collection drew inspiration from Western Australian landscape and surrounding ocean, capturing often-overlooked details of nature’s quiet beauty: the muted greens and deep browns of drought-affected earth, the roughness of bark, the rhythm of wind and water. Each garment became a tactile reflection on the perfection and impermanence of nature.

Through her practice, Alla continues to challenge the existing perceptions of felt as a purely cold-climate textile, revealing its multi-seasonal versatility, timeless elegance, and expressive potential. Her work celebrates the enduring beauty and qualities of wool, and the art of slow transformation

Funk N Soul97 - AUSTRALIA

Tia Semi is a Perth-based model and designer with disabilities whose work beautifully celebrates her Polynesian cultural heritage. Drawing inspiration from the vibrant colours and intricate patterns of the Pacific, Tia handprints her own fabrics using natural materials.

Sustainability is at the heart of her process — every piece of fabric is cherished, with offcuts transformed into scrunchies, bucket hats, coin purses, and other accessories to ensure nothing goes to waste.

Tia’s unique designs have been showcased at prestigious events including Pacific Fusion Fashion Show, Fiji Fashion Week, Pacific Fashion Festival, Eco Fashion Week Australia, New Zealand Fashion Week, RIFTS on the Reef, Hyde Park High Fashion, and New York Fashion Week’s Flying Solo.

MON - COLOMBIA

Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Monica built a 20-year career as a corporate lawyer and travelled to Australia in 2024 to explore her lifelong love of art, sewing and design. She teaches watercolour workshops at House of Hobby in Perth, WA and has collaborated as a mural artist in projects across the city with the local artist Hayley Smith, including the recently launched Langley Park mural, a landmark among locals. Currently completing a Diploma of Fashion and Textiles at TAFE WA, she explores sustainability, modular design, and cultural storytelling, blending artistry, ethics, and innovation. Through her work, Monica seeks to inspire mindful connections between creativity, craftsmanship, and environmental responsibility by developing her sustainable, and proudly Colombian, fashion brand MON.

MON is a fashion label that honours the natural world and empowers wardrobe adaptation in an era of rapid environmental change. At its core, MON offers thoughtfully designed garments, crafted locally from biodegradable materials, adjustable through modular construction, and conceived for longevity rather than disposability. MON reimagines garments as enduring companions to life’s shifts, not fleeting commodities.

In 2025, MON’s innovative approach to adaptable design was featured at the “Closet of the Anthropocene” exhibition in Florence, Italy, as part of Eco Fashion Week Australia’s international program. The presentation of MON’s first convertible dress, made of natural hemp and organic cotton, embodied the label’s commitment to circular design and environmental awareness.

Earlier that year, MON was honoured with the People’s Choice Award at the Bindaring Clothing Sale Upcycling Challenge in Perth, whose 2025 theme, Unity, celebrated the strength found in connection and collective purpose. MON’s upcycled piece, the Tree of Life Dress, interpreted this idea through an intricate fusion of reclaimed materials symbolising the interdependence between humanity and nature. These milestones mark MON’s growing presence in the sustainable fashion movement and reinforce its mission to design for adaptability, longevity, and harmony with the planet.

In alignment with the mission of Eco Fashion Week Australia to promote sustainable design, education and cultural regeneration, MON is honoured to contribute to the EFWA’s agenda to support artisans, revitalise textile traditions and bridge global communities, since it resonates deeply with MON’s commitment to ecological materiality, modular form and mindful production.

By launching within this framework, MON embraces a journey of purpose: each garment is both a design object and a statement of regeneration. Through this collaboration, MON invites audiences to consider what we wear, how we wear it and what it wears on the planet.