Meet The EFWA 2018 Team - Dene Selby

by Marilyn R. Wilson

Please share a little bit about who you are and what you do in your regular life?

For the past 27 years in Perth, I have been running a business that incorporates, Modelling, Grooming, Personal Development, Life Skills, Imaging and Confidence Boosting subjects. I have worked with Olympic athletes, opera singers, helped people get roles in mini series and models achieve international success. For the past 2 years, I have been the Model Training Director with EFWA.

At what point did you begin to learn about the issue of sustainability in every area of daily life?

Sustainability was always done in our household. I remember watching my mother melt down old lipsticks (in a little pan) and replace it back into the old push up lipstick container. I also remember that old soap ends were left in water to soften, then pressed together with our hands to create another usable soap.

Have you embraced any changes that help you personally leave a smaller ecological footprint?

Saving water and energy have always been ever present - from saving water that usually goes down the drain, to quick cycle machine washes. Another thing is to open doors and windows in the evening allowing natural air to cool down the place, rather than the air conditioner. I also turn off stove tops and ovens before the food is fully cooked allowing cooking to continue without power.

How did you meet Zuhal and what led you to become involved with EFWA 2017?

Zuhal rang me one Sunday and told me her about her ECO Fashion Week Project. This led to us meeting for a quick coffee to introduce ourselves and outline our thoughts and ideas. Three hours later we were kicked out of the coffee shop so they could close. This meeting was an important fusion of our ideals and mutual respect for sustainability. Joining Zuhal and ECO was a natural progression with our mutual attitudes towards sustainability and thus our union merged.

What was it about EFWA's mission that drew you to offer your talents in support of this international event?

With sustainability being innately part of my life, and respecting what EFWA stands for, I was happy to give support to promote this. As a trainer of models, my aim is to have the models not only look Internationally Professional, but to be totally supportive of everyone they come in contact with, be it back stage people, photographers and especially each other. My heart bursts with pride over the life long friendships and camaraderie my models have maintained.

As a part of the EFWA 2017 team, what role or roles will you be filling?

My role as Director of Model Training is encouraging not only a high standard of modelling, but also a very professional approach back stage and with designers and dressers and fellow models. More importantly, supporting these young people develop into strong and confident individuals, which they will take with them for the rest of their life.

Any last words or a favourite quote on sustainability?

Sustainability is ever present as a way of life in everything you do.

Links -

• Website -  www.deneselbymodellingperth.com
• Facebook - www.facebook.com/deneselbymodelling/

Behind The Scenes With Designer Tayla Parnham of Fabric of Nature

by Marilyn R. Wilson

What drew you to become a fashion designer?

Growing up I  really enjoyed drawing and sewing. My Grandmother - a home economics teacher - taught me sewing and construction. I liked the idea that no one else would have the same outfit as mine.

Why was it important to you to offer a sustainable, responsible, Eco fashion line and how do you incorporate ideals such a Zero Waste into your work? 

It is important to have a appreciation and understanding of the Eco fashion line through learning  how the garment is constructed and type of  textiles used, rather than the fast fashion lines that only wear clothes once and then dispose of them.  I try to incorporate zero waste through recycling clothing particularly industrial work wear garments that have been well worn and likely to be sent to landfill. I rework recycled garments to change the way they are visualized, but still have the final garment convey their history. The majority of the materials I use are organic such as silks, wool and cotton that breakdown in the natural environment and don’t leave behind a plastic footprint.

Where do your find inspiration for new work?

I particularly have drawn inspiration from my farm in the wheat-belt of Western Australia - the patterns in the landscape made from cropping in contrast to the surrounding native vegetation. I try to incorporate zero waste with recycling clothing, particularly torn and frayed work wear like flannel shirts and denim jeans that are well worn on the farm. Some of my pieces feature topographic maps that look at landscapes from a different perspective. I love the outdoors and also get inspired by patterns in the bushland and I try to incorporate natural  dying into my work as I am inspired by these areas.

What materials do you work with – organic, reclaimed, etc.?

I use a lot of natural silk, wool and cotton and use natural dyes on the fabric. I recycle work wear such as plaid flannel shirts and jeans that are faded and ripped.

What are the biggest challenges you face as an sustainable designer?

Educating the public around why it is important to be sustainable is a challenge as well as  communicating the message of why I have chosen to make things from organic fabrics rather than synthetics. The use of natural fibres is quite expensive and not always easily accessible like synthetic materials.

How do you help customers understand the higher cost of sustainable garments when they are so inundated with sweatshop-produced cheap merchandise?

As an emerging designer, I would like to show customers the advantage of having unique designs that are made of quality textiles. I want to explain and show customers my process and the quality of textiles used in my designs. It is important to increase awareness and gain appreciation for the art. Through social media I try to communicate the textile processes for customers to get an understanding and appreciation of the time it takes to create each single garment and that a garment like this cannot be mass produced.

What can we look forward to seeing on the runway at Eco Fashion Week Australia 2018?

Similar themes to last year will be showcased, but they have been pushed in a different way. My show will include recycled denim deconstructed, reworked natural dyed silks and the influence of topographic aerial mapping on the body. This year I have also incorporated wool felting techniques into my work which I have never done before, but I really enjoy the process and textures of the merino wool tops.

How do you incorporate sustainable living in other areas of your life?

I have recently started a job working as an environment advisor on a mine site to help ensure the environmental impact on the land is minimized for the future. This includes involvement in recycling projects, trying to help minimize human waste such as reusable coffee cups and encouraging reduction in the use plastic. My wardrobe entails a lot of items from op shops or clothes given to by friends, I do not use plastic bags or plastic straws, I recycle waste at home and I encourage my family and friends to recycle as well. I am always trying to be conscious of purchases at stores and on my own ecological footprint, ie. buying items that have minimal to no plastic in the packaging.

Links-

• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fabricofnaturetp
• Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pg/fabricofnaturetp/posts/?ref=page_internal