How does your collection interpret "Handmade for the Earth"?
Our collection celebrates creativity, community and reuse. Designed with resident design teams across our homes, each piece incorporates repurposed textiles and handcrafted details, demonstrating how sustainable fashion can be both meaningful and beautiful.
What artisanal process defines this collection?
Collaborative upcycling is at the heart of the collection. Residents transformed pre-loved materials through hand stitching, embellishment and textile techniques, giving new life to existing fabrics while making every garment unique.
Photography: Simon Lau. Midland Junction Arts Centre, 2024.
How does your work incorporate cultural craftsmanship while remaining contemporary?
Our residents bring diverse cultural backgrounds and creative experiences, which inspired many of the techniques and details within the collection. These influences are combined with contemporary silhouettes to create pieces that feel both modern and timeless.
How did working with traditional techniques shape your design process?
The process became more collaborative and story-driven. Designing alongside residents encouraged us to slow down, embrace individuality and value the human connection behind each garment.
Photography: Simon Lau. Midland Junction Arts Centre, 2024.
What was the most challenging sustainable constraint?
Working with reclaimed materials meant designing around what was available rather than ordering new fabrics. While challenging, it sparked creativity and resulted in truly one of a kind pieces.
How do you ensure garments remain low-impact throughout their life cycle?
We prioritise reused materials, durable construction and designs that encourage repair and reuse. Our goal is to keep textiles in use for as long as possible and promote a circular approach to fashion.
Photography: Simon Lau. Midland Junction Arts Centre, 2024.
What do you hope the WA audience takes away from the runway?
We hope audiences feel inspired by the creativity and contributions of older people. The collection celebrates sustainability, inclusion and the idea that great design can come from every stage of life.
How can events like EFWA shift mindsets away from fast fashion?
EFWA helps people connect with the stories behind garments. By showcasing the time, skill and care involved in handmade fashion, it encourages greater appreciation for craftsmanship, sustainability and conscious consumption.