Western Australia to Host World’s Longest and Largest Sustainable Fashion Art Show and Exhibition

Eco Fashion Week Australia ( EFWA) will present its third international edition with runway shows and fashion art exhibitions in Geraldton, Fremantle, Bunbury and the Swan Valley region of Western Australia starting in late 2022.

Titled, ‘Closet of the Anthropocene’ and inspired by the impact of climate change, the upcoming chain of events will start Nov. 18, 2022 with fashion runway shows and will continue with exhibitions at the various galleries completing on Feb. 5, 2023.

“Anthropocene” describes a new geological epoch or planetary era in which human activity impacts the ecological balance of the planet and is the main driver of change, on a global scale. Geologists have proposed humans to be the most dominant influence on the earth. 

EFWA ‘Closet of the Anthropocene will explore this geological era and its implications on design, textiles, art and fashion disciplines.

The festival will feature fashion art of over 50 international and Australian fashion artists using sustainable materials and textiles to address broader themes of Anthropocene. Fashion artists will examine the relationships between fashion and geology; and the future of fashion in the Anthropocene.

”I hope that visitors who view our shows and exhibitions will think deeply about the beauty of our world and how important it is for us to protect it,” said Zuhal Kuvan-Mills, Visual Artist, Curator and Founder of EFWA (Eco Fashion Week Australia) which is based in Western Australia. “We have a responsibility as fashion artists and consumers, to do our part in protecting our planet.”

EFWA ‘Closet of the Anthropocene will address waste, pollution, consumption and environmental destruction. The artists will also make a call for optimism with new ways of imagining a vibrant future.

Schedule of Events

• Nov. 18 – 20, 2022 Runway Shows & Nov.21 2022- 5 Feb2023 Fashion Art Exhibitions
  Swan Valley Region/WA

• Nov. 25-  Dec. 11, 2022
  Moores Building Contemporary Art Gallery , City of Fremantle ( Managed by the City of Fremantle )/WA

• Dec. 2, 2022 – Jan. 29, 2023
  Geraldton Regional Art Gallery, City of Geraldton /WA 

• Dec. 24, 2022 – Feb. 5, 2023
  Bunbury Regional Art Gallery, City of Bunbury /WA

The exhibition brings together fashion and textile artists from across the world, demonstrating a shared international perspective on climate change.

“By organising exhibitions in Western Australia we hope to shed light on and continue critical conversations already happening across the planet.”  

During its Western Australian premiere, installations will be unique for each gallery, allowing visitors who wish to travel to Geraldton, Perth, and Bunbury to see participating artists' series as well as at fashion runway shows.

The Face of EFWA Closet of the Anthropocene is Perth model, Talisha Lee-Karuthiru. Talisha has been a feature model in the first two edition of Eco-Fashion Week Australia. 

EFWA ‘Closet of the Anthropocene’ will collaborate with local schools to feature textile art projects in the exhibitions. Expect artist talks, workshops, and seminars through the involvement of community groups, conservation groups, universities, and TAFEs. 

Call for Artists
Interested artists should contact the event organizers as soon as possible by visiting website www.ecofashionweekaustralia.com

Event partners: City Fremantle – Moores Contemporary Art Gallery, City Geraldton Regional Art Gallery, City of Bunbury Regional Art Gallery,

Event Sponsors: Green Embassy, Gallery Naturalist, Swan Valley Local Businesses, Claire Organic Hair, Natulique, and Dene Selby Modelling Agency.

Supporting partners: Curtin University, ECU, Eluxe Magazine, The Bahamas Weekly, Style Drama, Olio by Marilyn, and Jane Milburn – Textile Beat.

Eco Fashion Designers Return to Dowerin Field Days 2019

June 1, 2019 — Western Australian slow fashion designers and university fashion design students will again be placing Australia’s iconic merino wool in the spotlight with Eco Fashion Week Australia (EFWA) by celebrating the 55th annual Dowerin GWN7 Machinery Field Days held August 28 and 29, 2019.

Dowerin GWN7 Machinery Field Days is located in the central wheat belt, serving as an optimal host site for EFWA to celebrate sustainable natural fibres, especially Merino wool as the champion of all sustainable fibres.

Western Australian eco fashion designers Green Embassy, Fabric of Nature , Skylark , Claudi Jvr, Gemini Kite , Regina Bochat, Curtin University and ECU fashion design students will present a fashion parade showcasing beautiful merino wool creations during the EFWA celebration on August 28, 29 with runway shows from 11 – 11.30 a.m. and 1:30 – 2 p.m. emceed by local Merino Wool farmer and Dowerin GWN7 Machinery Fields Days coordinator Tiffany Davey.

Wool is one of the most sustainable fibres on the planet, and Australia produces 90 percent of the world’s finest wool apparel suitable for the high-end fashion market. With Australian wool’s eco credentials, it makes it a perfect choice for sustainable clothing, and therefore a prominent component of Eco Fashion Week Australia.

Dowerin GWN7 Machinery Field Days has continually expanded over the past 55 years to be become the largest and most successful event of its kind in Western Australia, with outstanding effort from members of the community who contribute time, energy, and expertise. Income generated is injected back into Dowerin and surrounding towns, contributing to the success and survival of the region.

‘’Our 3rd Annual Slow Fashion Show Days at Dowerin Field Days on August 28and 29 is our ode to Western Australian Merino wool growers, and shows our dedication to them into the future, ‘’ said Dr. Zuhal Kuvan-Mills, Founder of Eco Fashion Week Australia. “EFWA will always celebrate Merino wool as a sustainable fibre.”

Eco Fashion Week Australia showcasing at a previous Dowerin Field Days with local and international eco designers pieces made from Merino wool.

About Eco-Fashion Week Australia:
Eco-Fashion Week Australia (EFWA) began in 2017 in Perth, Western Australia and was founded by Zuhal Kuvan-Mills, artist, designer of Green Embassy, Australia's first internationally recognised organic fashion label. The event draws like-minded fashion designers and speakers from around the world. In 2018 EFWA expands to two Australian states. Currently preparing for 2020 for International Slow Fashion Art exhibitions and Fashion Shows in Australian cities, Europe, North America and in Asia. www.ecofashionweekaustralia.com

Eco Fashion Week Australia Proves the Power of Community to Make Change

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DEC. 5, 2018 — Eco Fashion Week Australia (EFWA) 2018 rocked the eco world in November with 21 runway shows in Port Douglas, Queensland, and 35 runway shows in Fremantle, Western Australia.

The event expanded to two states this year to highlight the plight of the Great Barrier Reef, and the Daintree Rainforest in Queensland.

With the help of supporters, volunteers, and community groups the second edition of the event has certainly placed the Land Down Under on the international eco fashion map.  The efforts of the many that came together shows how the power of a united community (local and international) can indeed effect change!

This innovative, forward-thinking event featured impeccably executed runway shows exhibiting the best in organic, handmade, local, re/up-cycled, fair-trade, ethically produced, traditional, fashions and textiles.

55 ethical designers presented during week-long events running from Nov. 4 – 10 in Port Douglas, Queensland; and from Nov. 15 – 20 in Perth, Western Australia.  

Green Embassy, Curtin Springs, and Betty Spoke during EFWA2018 (Photo 1 credit: Port Douglas Photographer; Photo 2, 3 credit: David Woolley)

Presenting were Australian indigenous, local and interstate designers, along with designers from Canada, England, India, Uruguay, Argentina, Japan, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, Vietnam, and the Czech Republic.

EFWA holds community, sustainability, and education at its core while also promoting locally, ethically produced fashion, conservation, and sustainability education. In addition to full shows by established designers, EFWA featured collections by the fashion design students of Curtin University and ECU University and presented the Merino Wool Design Awards sponsored by Peter Scanlan Wools, the Anita Moon Awards,  and the Australian Made® Best New Designer Award.

With a focus on reduce, reuse, recycle, 13 Australian and international fashion designers showcased in a  collaborative show - the EFWA Upcycling Challenge by Marilyn Wilson – each created one runway look from upcycled men’s dress shirts.  Each night of runway shows featured the Style It Green op shop makeover by eco stylist Dalija Vlahov where 5 members of the audience volunteered to be outfitted with a little black dress and accessories, completed by a walk down the EFWA runway.

13 designers took part in re-purposing men’s shirts in the second annual EFWA Upcycling Challenge by Marilyn Wilson (Photo: Port Douglas Photographer)

“The success of our second year clearly shows the strong growing demand for sustainable, locally made, slow and ethical fashion. We need to keep working together to support events that promote sustainability in all states across the country, and globally ” said Zuhal Kuvan-Mills, EFWA CEO and designer of Green Embassy.

Highlighting the reasons for eco fashion was the eco seminar ‘Disposable Planet 2’ which featured speakers Sass Brown, Dean of Dubai Institute of Design and author of “Eco Fashion” and “Refashioned;” Clare Press, Vogue Sustainability Editor; Jeff Hanson and Bridgette Gower of Sea Shepherd Australia; Stewart Christie, Reef Restoration Foundation; Jane Milburn, Textile Beat and author of “Slow Clothing;”  Nicki Colls, Fibre Shed Melbourne; Councillor Rachel Pemberton, City of Fremantle; Chiara Spagnoli Gabardi, Eluxe Magazine; Natalie Shehata, Tommie Magazine; Marina Chahbourne, Beyond Fashion Sustainability Consultant; Julia Leu, Major of Douglas Shire; Peta Slack- Smith Australian Wool Innovation; Robbin Whachell, Hoy-Scott Watershed Society; and Barcelona designer, Sylvia Calvo.

Community events also included mending workshops, pop-up op shops, and designer showrooms offering work from Australian designers.

"Fashion has always belonged to the privileged, and a handful of fashionistas, not the ordinary people. We aim to change that," said founder Zuhal Kuvan-Mills. "When a community comes together to run an event like this, they are able to take a good look at who is making clothing, to be curious as to how they are manufactured, and to embrace eco designers working in their region,” said Zuhal-Mills.  “Our goal is to ignite and inspire our attendees to change their perspective on fashion."

BirdTribe designer, Nina Blackcockatoo of Queensland walks with one of the models during her finale in Port Douglas. (Photo: Port Douglas Photographer)

For more photos please review our Facebook albums HERE.

About Eco Fashion Week Australia:
Eco-Fashion Week Australia (EFWA) began in 2017 in Perth, Western Australia and was founded by Zuhal Kuvan-Mills, artist, designer and earth ambassador for Green Embassy, Australia’s first internationally recognised organic fashion label. The event draws like-minded fashion designers and speakers from around the world. In 2018 EFWA expanded to two Australian states. www.ecofashionweekaustralia.com

With appreciation:
Eco Fashion Week Australia 2018 was proudly supported by Douglas Shire Council; Explore Tropical North Queensland; Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef;  Eluxe Magazine; The Bahamas Weekly; luxiders; Be Global Fashion Network; tommie magazine; Olio by Marilyn; Textile Beat; Circular Style Magazine; Style Drama; Dowerin GWN Machinery Field Days; LOIG’S MUSIC LAB; Dene Selby: Model School, Agency & Image Maker;  Xpression Models; Claire Hair Boutique; make-up directed by Alex Dimov Creative; Notre Dame University; The Beauty Room; QT Port Douglas; Ethically Kate; Slow Down Style; Natulique; A Small Wardrobe; Zuii Organic; Australian Made; Edith Cowan University; Curtin University; Eco Fashion Talk; Rainforest Rescue; Sea Shepherd; Reef Restoration Foundation, Indigo, Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef; and Curtin Springs Paper.

Presenting designers:
Green Embassy, Connally McDougall, Curtin Springs Paper, Gemini Kite, Francesca Phipps, Sylvia Calvo, MOLA Collaborative, Jude Taylor, Melaleuca Rise, CLAWDI, Pattern by Design, Nickelby Designs, Zuzana Hrubos, Classic Couture Vintage & Bridal, Junk Weavers Inc., Satisha, Skylark the Label, Barbwire Noose, Birdtribe, Ren, Fabric of Nature, Livie Rose Designs, Studio Membrane, Beads ‘n Pods Jewelry, Sustainable Couture, Murii Quu Couture, EFWA Upcycling Challenge by Marilyn Wilson & Dhalija Valhjov, Betty Spoke, Marita Moreno, NoRuYeLo, Robert Naorem, Ku’;arlu Mangga, Leah Kelly by Design, Ngali, Things of Substance.

Upcycling challenge designers:
Marcia Hobbs of Barbwire Noose, Gigi Forget of Sal-vij by gigi, Tracy Kim of Trixed Up, Kathryn Davis of The Possibility Project, Aroha Langley, Anne Ruggieri, Denise Anglesey of Denise H and Founder of NZ Eco Fashion Week, Janine McAughren of Ghren, Regina Bochat, Carmel Ryan, and Papa Drew & ATHAN JON a.k.a Jonathan Pampling (collaboration).