Fashion Innovators: Emerging Designers Recognized

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.

/Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).View in full here.