The art of repairing clothing is alive and well, led by Brisbane fashion designers and makers who will share their knowledge at an event on Saturday 15 May in a collaboration with QUT Fashion for the Brisbane Art Design (BAD) Festival.
Radical Localism is an inspiring call to connect with fashion on a personal and local level. Co-designed by artisan and Practice Studio, it involves seven QUT fashion graduates and is supported by a group of QUT Creative Industries volunteers.
QUT senior fashion lecturer Kathleen Horton said the free event highlighted Brisbane's vibrant fashion scene, its skilled makers and designers, and their commitment to addressing ethical concerns within the industry.
Participants can get hands-on with workshops and demonstrations, as well have fun exploring local fashion from 10am to 4pm at the Studio City event in Alexandria Park, Bowen Hills.
"Radical Localism reflects global trends towards more sustainable and ethical fashion that only intensified with COVID," said Ms Horton.
"In light of environmental and ethical concerns about the global fashion industry, designers and fashion creatives are embracing practices that are less harmful. These include re-shoring and exploring ideas of a circular textile economy.
"At the same time consumers are gravitating towards locally produced products, both out of loyalty to their local communities and excitement at the creative work they are making."
To this end, attendees are encouraged to brings items from home to be mended or stencilled on the day. They will walk away with new skills to help them customise or repair clothes and hand-tuft accessories, as well as get to know some of the designers and producers making their mark in Brisbane.
QUT alumnus, designer and retailer Kat Walsh of Practice Studio hopes the day will inspire local communities to get more involved in the clothes they wear.
"It's so great to see people in Brisbane adopting such a creative, mindful and community-driven approach to fashion. Designers are working in exciting new ways and their customers are looking to support them directly," she said.
"I'd love to help more people discover some of the beautiful design happening in our city. There's such a vibrant and inclusive scene bubbling away under the surface and it's just waiting to be explored."
Label - Joteo/ Joash Teo
The event also features a Made and Remade in Brisbane symposium at 2pm with Brisbane fashion makers and experts who will share their stories of making fashion locally, and of the passionate Brisbane communities taking fashion into their own hands. The panellists include Maria Nelson of Nelson Molloy, Ms Walsh, Anna Hickey of SWOP and artist and local fashion maker Sue-Ching Lascelles.
"Brisbane's creative scene is vibrant and inventive, and I'm thrilled we can showcase the work of some of our talented fashion makers and designers," said Claire Sourgnes, Chief Executive Officer, artisan.
"This event also highlights the quiet revolution happening in different corners of the city, as more and more people embrace the joy that engaging with craft and design on a personal level can bring.
"Meeting and supporting the people who make the products you love or learning to do something for yourself is empowering, it's good for you, and it builds a wonderful sense of community."
An installation will feature designs by independent Brisbane based fashion makers and labels, and explore ideas of culture, craft, collaboration, fantasy and nostalgia. Works on show will include those from Sharka Bosakova, Seon-Im You, Kazuyo's Collection, Blaklash x Kazuyo, Illeana the Label, Nelson Molloy, Jess Blak, Joteo, Homejob, Bulley Bulley, Alice Nightingale, ShiloLydia, Sue-Ching Lascelles, Tom Summers, Bianca Mavrick, Laura Armstrong, Katalyst, Phoebe Paradise, Thomas King, and Bugdumb.
