Over 80 Australian designers will highlight circular design at the Afterpay Australian Fashion Week closing show.
Created in collaboration with Thread Together and #WeWearAustralian, the runway will feature garments repurposed from excess men's suits. The reCOUTURE initiative aims to tackle clothing waste, with a reported 227,000 tonnes of textiles diverted to landfill in Australia each year.
P.E.Nation, Ginger & Smart and Bianca Spender are among designer brands contributing to the runway collection.
Thread Together CEO Anthony Chesler said the market is currently navigating more supply than demand in men's suiting post-pandemic. The organisation diverts new clothes from landfill to communities and individuals in need.
“The pandemic fundamentally changed expectations for Aussie workers to physically be in the office, with remote working still being the norm for many, and this has impacted the clothing we wear day-to-day,” Chesler said. “Today, there are more men’s suits available for redistribution than there is demand for these suits, with gentlemen more in need of essentials at the moment.
“We are thrilled to be able to highlight one of the most ethical pathways to keep clothing in circulation, at its highest value."
Spender said the reCOUTURE design initiative challenges designers and consumers to re-think unwanted garments.
"It is always inspiring to transform an object from something that is considered waste into a gem - it is like polishing a stone,” Spender said. “I hope that this initiative propels people to be imaginative with excess clothing and help contribute to a better fashion future."