The City of Greater Geelong's National Wool Museum announces 20 emerging designers shortlisted to win the We the Makers Sustainable Fashion Prize 2023.
With over 100 expressions of interest from Australian and international designers, the outfits entered were innovative with an unapologetic commitment to sustainable and ethical practices.
Moving beyond ethical supply chains, designers took to bold approaches when repurposing garments and accessories. Designers embraced reviving traditional and near forgotten methods, dying using organic botanicals and creating with purpose using slow fashion approaches.
We the Makers is a major biennial event on the National Wool Museum calendar centred around the Sustainable Fashion Prize. Aligned with Geelong's designation as a UNESCO City of Design, the National Wool Museum is dedicated to championing the past, present, and future of fashion with recognition to Geelong's ongoing role in the wool and textile industries.
Our definition of Sustainable Fashion is holistic, and champions ethical practice, design ingenuity, material consciousness and business innovation. Every two years we will showcase emerging themes from the world of sustainable fibre and textiles through the next generation of fashion designers.
All 20 shortlisted outfits will be on display at the National Museum from 2 June 2023 with the major winner being announced during the opening ceremony on 1 June. The UNESCO City of Design People's Choice Award will be announced during Geelong Design Week 2023.
Prizes: All short-listed entries to the Sustainable Fashion Prize will be judged by a panel of international industry experts.
- National Wool Museum Designer of the Year Award ($10,000)
- UNESCO City of Design, People's Choice Award ($2,000)
We the Makers Sustainable Fashion Prize 2023
Shortlisted designers
- Jedda Bahloo – Melbourne
hmm...must have missed it...
- Samara Darling – Sydney
Open Voices
- Amy Forbes and Caitlin Mullaly (Veils of Cirrus) – Melbourne
Hemlock Three Piece Suit
- Baaqiy Ghazali – Melbourne
Decay
- Jordan Gogos – Sydney
Very woolly
- Lazarus Gordon – Geelong
The Bride
- Ruth Hadinjoto – Melbourne
Folklore
- Alicja Kuzmycz – Melbourne
Slot Dress Prototype
- Gakuki Ito – Niigata, Japan
Mermaid
- Jasmine-Skye Marinos – Geelong
Kaweerr Koorran Dress
- Lilli Mckenzie – Melbourne
Re-Weave
- Steven Junil Park - Otautahi Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand
Jogakbo Patchwork-Inspired Ensemble
- Emily Rastas – Geelong
Electric Avenue
- Reborn by Homie – Melbourne
Reborn T-shirt dress
- Evie Rosa – Melbourne
Rapid Shredder
- Vida Straseviciute – Kaunas, Lithuania
Warmer transformer blanket cape
- Kate VM Sylvester – Portarlington
My Favourite T-shirt
- Carol Yang - Melbourne
Are you procrastinating?
- Eliz yusuf – London, United Kingdom
Concrete Sky
- Canwen Zhao – Melbourne
35 Life
Mayor Trent Sullivan
The City is committed to its UNESCO City of Design designation, and I take pleasure in announcing that this year's winning garment will be acquired into the City's Collection of Sustainable Fashion.
We are building on the City's legacy as a world leader in the production of wool and textiles and developing our design capabilities into the future.
Josephine Rout - Senior Curator National Wool Museum
The response to We the Makers Sustainable Fashion Prize 2023 has been phenomenal.
It is clear from the breadth and depth of submissions that the next generation of designers, sustainability is no longer an afterthought, but is embedded within their practice. The finalists are leaders for change in fashion.
Emily Jane Rastas - Designer
As a member of Geelong's creative community, I have experienced first-hand the unwavering support, inclusivity, and kindness that flows through the vibrant network of artists and creators.
Creativity flourishes here because the community understands that we are stronger when we work together.
