The innovative Undress Runways is back in Brisbane tomorrow and I’m looking forward to seeing upcycled looks on the runway.
Undress Runways supports ethical and environmentally-friendly sustainable fashion – including ‘no-waste’ collections, ethical production, ‘food dyed’ garments, natural fibres, and unique pieces made from off-cuts.
The Undress Runways website has these simple tips on how to be sustainable:
- Consume less, use what you have
- Upcycle old garments you no longer wear
- Choose garments of organic/recycled fabrics
- Wear hemp and bamboo fabrics
- Borrow outfits or swap clothes with friends
- Choose garments made in fair working conditions or accredited by ECA
- If you’re unsure a company is manufacturing ethically and sustainably, write and ask them
- Choose classic cuts over fast fashion fads
- Take care of your clothes, wash on cold
I spent a bit of time today reading The Sustainable Fashion Handbook by Sandy Black and came across words by Dame Vivienne Westwood, who advocates the ‘buy less, choose well’ approach.
Included in the book is a handwritten letter from Woodward which notes: ‘In these hard times, dress up, do it yourself … and … ‘there is status in wearing your favourites over and over until they grow old (patina) or fall apart’.
Linen fabric softens and ages gracefully, but it wears so well it seems to take forever to fall apart. I made this pink wraparound skirt many (many) years ago but hadn’t worn it recently because it was a bit dated. So I took up the scissors and did hem surgery to create a soft-curve where it once was straight across the bottom. It was just a matter of folding the skirt in half, with both front-edges together. then cutting a new shape with both layers together so the curve is similar on both sides. I’m wearing it with a white top with pink spots bought from an op shop, and a silk scarf made from a metre of fabric sewn together lengthwise then hand-stitched together to form a circle. My son Casey, who took the photo, reckons it is a Stepford Wives look.
