Partnerships for Sustainability: the Role of Consumers in Fast Fashion

Event details

Wednesday the 15th September 6pm - 7.15pm.

The event will be held online via Zoom, link to be sent via email.

Description

Fashion is central to our lives. Getting dressed is usually the first thing we do in the morning, and what we wear is determined by the places we go and who we see, as we use clothing to send different messages to the outside world.
Fashion has also become one of the most problematic industries for sustainable development. 

Not only has the garment manufacturing sector been the site of much controversy over human rights abuses and environmental degradation, but it is also an industry with long and opaque supply chains that make it difficult for producers to be held accountable for their operations.
So how do we, consumers, choose to dress sustainably? 

This event will examine the ways in which the fashion industry is responding to the demands of the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular SDG 13 Climate Action and SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth.

A panel of experts will share their insights into the industry and provide guidance on how to make sustainable fashion choices. 

Moderator

Jenna Flood

Jenna is a slow fashion stylist whose main focus is educating people on issues that surround fast fashion. She advocates for sustainable alternatives such as pre-loved, vintage and clothing made with sustainable practices. Jenna believes in slowing down our clothing consumption by curating capsule wardrobes and buying for long term investments instead of purchasing on a whim or following short trends. She hopes that in the future, more people invest in the sharing economy by renting or borrowing garments instead of owning them.

For her clients and photoshoots, Jenna sources all her clothing from second-hand stores, consignment stores, vintage stores and sustainable brand designers themselves.

In addition to her slow fashion styling, Jenna also works at the Brunswick Store of Mutual Muse. Mutual Muse is a consignment style store where you can sell your preloved clothing for cash or store credit. This position is truly a dream for Jenna, as she gets to educate people on making sustainable fashion choices while meeting a whole new community of like-minded people.

Jenna lives in Brunswick, Melbourne, Australia with her partner, Julian and two adopted cats - Captain Cuddles and Beans."

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ironicminimalist/ 

Webpage: https://www.ironicminimalist.com/

Panelists

Lois Hazel

Lois Hazel was launched March 2015 and is committed to sustainable and ethical practices. Offering 100% transparency on sourcing and production for each element of their garments with all craftsmanship completed either in house or by a local ethically accredited factory. Each collection incorporates dead stock, organic and traceable fabrics to ensure we are doing what we can to minimise waste as well as continue our commitment to a more sustainable industry. Considered design details offer multifunctional wardrobe pieces that feel luxurious and comfortable, taking the Lois Hazel women through seasons, climates and style pursuits.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loishazel/

Julia English

Julia English is a PhD candidate at RMIT University, exploring how Australian fashion brands are practicing more sustainably. Trained as a fashion designer, she has exhibited her design work internationally, including as a finalist for the international design award Redress in 2019, and participated in design challenges with companies including VF Asia, Circular.Fashion and Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Her most recent industry role was working as a Circular Design Assistant in Denmark at the international fast fashion company Bestseller A/S, however this was interrupted due to Covid 19. Alongside her research, she currently focuses on sharing her knowledge and sustainable practices through her Instagram.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_julia.english_/

Simone Agius

Simone Agius is the founder, designer & head-maker at Simétrie. She is also a freelance Bags & Smalls designer where she works with local brands based in Melbourne, Australia. Simone’s expertise is in the creative thinking process, problem solving with the intent to make highly functional yet beautiful bag designs. 

Simone is passionate about making a difference in the industry, with a focus on sustainability, notably; slow fashion, sustainable materials, ethical & environmentally friendly practices in supply chain, & women’s empowerment through work opportunity & fair working conditions.

Simone graduated from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in 2011, & completed a short course in bag making, also at RMIT, in 2012.

From 2012 to 2016 her love affair with handbags flourished at Melbourne accessories brand, Mimco, where she grew to design the full small leather goods category, firming her position in Australia’s luxury accessories industry. 

Since July 2016 she has been freelancing in Melbourne with local brands such as Crumpler, Sans Beast, King Kong Apparel & Buzz Products. In 2017 & 2018, Simone designed & tutored a Bag Design & Making course as part of the Bachelor of Design (Fashion) program at RMIT.

In January of 2019 Simone launched Simétrie - the culmination of her personal loves & values in one brand. Her mission is to create bags that are not only beautiful & collectible but are environmentally sustainable & ethically made too. In the latter part of 2020, inspired by the new focus on locally made goods since COVID-19 has imposed restrictions on travel, Simone has opened up her atelier to offer local leather production for other brands.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_simetrie/

Questions

Please contact chris.renwick@unaa.org.au if you have any questions or would like to be part of the event.