A couple of weeks ago I paid a visit to the Pop-Up Pirate Radio Tower erected in the centre of the Victorian College of the Arts Forecourt. Tegan Caffrey Kop was at the top of the tower – a perilous climb away. After a few trips on the way up the stairs I made it – and the microphone awaited.
We had a grand old chat. Tegan let me play some cool tunes. It was a great way to spend a Saturday morning.
The chat is available to podcast below:
Bamboo is a bit of a buzz textile at the moment. The quick growing grass is highly renewable, natural and favoured by ridiculously cute pandas.
It does, however, fall short when it comes to production, requiring chemical and water heavy processes like some other natural man made textiles.
Tonight’s Catalyst Program on the ABC will discuss bamboo in more detail, investigating its eco credentials and hopefully weighing up the benefits and downsides of this so-called environmental “wonder fabric”. Alex Trimmer – Wardrobe Wonderland favourite and designer of Melbourne label SOSUME Clothing will chat about bamboo’s applications to the fashion industry.
Picking up from where textile technician, Deakin University PhD candidate and Big Green Conference Speaker Tara Afrin left off, the segment (to be aired on tonight’s program at 8.00pm) investigates the role of science and technology in uncovering new possibilities for sustainability, many of which will have applications in the fashion sector.
The program will also investigate hemp as a viable raw material, and will look also be investigating the next generation of computer technology, natural user interface – sure to be coming to a clothing store near you as the next generation of retail technology.
View the Catalyst Program outline here.
No, not the dance. (There’s a somewhat scary visual.) I’m talking about the radio show.
Last Monday, I paid Donna and Kulja from Triple R Radio’s weekly community show The Grapevine a visit along with Kerryn Caulfield - Textile Waste Expert and National Manager of the National Association of Charitable Recycling Organisations (NACRO).
Kerryn and I chatted to the girls about what happens to clothing after its donated to op shops, following on from a discussion a fortnight earlier on the same show about The Op Shop Guide recently compiled by Kelly Lainson.
Those of you who have heard Kerryn speak before will know that there are huge volumes of clothing donates to charities annually, and not surprisingly not all of it is able to be sold as recycled clothing. NACRO works to advocate the interests of these charities who develop enterprising ways of reusing these huge volumes of waste textiles. The more that can be reused – the smaller the cost to landfill what is not usable – which equates to approximately $5 million annually at last count and is borne by the charities.
John Bull from The Smith Family told some amazing stories about the role of charitable recycling organisations at The Big Green Conference in April. These organisations facilitate the development of businesses that support the disabled community and overseas aid. They also play such a vital role in minimising the environmental impact of our huge volumes of textile waste.
Have a listen to the full interview here.
Big thanks to the girls for having us – we look forward to continuing this discussion!
In keeping with a promise to try and help make it easier for people to reduce their negative environmental impact, we’re happy to announce yet another event in the Wardrobe Wonderland Calendar.
This one will be of a more practical nature, and as many of you will be delighted to know – it involves shopping! Its the best kind of shopping though, the kind that guarantees you’re buying secondhand, extending the lifecycle and keeping items from landfill. Its a little lesson on how we can all have gorgeous things – but how to minimise the environmental and financial cost of excess consumption. Hooray for Collaborative Consumption!
It is an event we’re calling Fashion Matchmaker – a different spin on the idea of a clothing swap as done very excellently by great friends of Wardrobe Wonderland – The Clothing Exchange. We get together a bunch of stylish girls at fantastic South Melbourne hotspot Honey Bar, they bring the items from their wardrobe that just aren’t getting the love they deserve, which are sold to friends (and friends of friends) and are given a whole new lease on life.
Its like shopping your best friend’s wardrobe. You’re getting the best cast offs around – designer duds, vintage treasures, gorgeous jewels, shoes and bags – without having to trawl eBay for hours and with the added bonus of getting touch, try and veto things before you take them home. Most things will be in the $50 to $200 price range so come along with your cash in hand and snap up some gorgeous treasures.
Tickets are $25 (for both those looking to sell and those looking to buy) and includes bubbles, nibbles and a chance at some great giveaways thanks to Lydra, Sosume, Sarah Dingwall and more. You can get your hands on one through Eventbrite.
So if any of these listed below sound like your cup of tea – you best get yourself a ticket quick smart because its on Tuesday April 12 from 6-8pm.
Scanlan and Theodore silk dresses, Chloe shoes, vintage fur jackets, Ginger and Smart silk skirts, Carla Zampatti velvet blazer, Mimco bags and much, much more up for grabs!
The panel for Tuesday’s “Is Fashion Sustainable?” event is so chock-full of amazing people we had to spill over into the weekend to tell you all about them… Have a read about our next panelist, Cameron Neil.
Cameron is a genuine social advocate.
So much so that he has worked as a member of the founding team of Fairtrade Australia for seven years, establishing Fairtrade as a central body for the growing global movement of socially conscious consumption. Working initially with the things we really love in the developed work – coffee and chocolate, anyone? – he and the Fairtrade team have continued to draw attention to the social impacts of the luxuries we enjoy on a daily basis.
Fairtrade works to improve the imbalance of opportunity for the poorest and most disadvantage primary producers in the world. Working with companies to ensure they are providing these workers with financially, socially and environmentally sustainable livelihoods for individuals, families and communities in these areas.
More recently, Fairtrade have also began focusing on the cotton industry. Thanks to a raft of environmental problems – such as inefficient water usage, chemical and pesticide usage – the impact of cotton production is often discussed but the human element can be overlooked. As a globally traded commodity, cotton production impacts on producers in many parts of the world. By purchasing garments made from Fairtrade certified cotton, consumers can be assured that the proceeds of that garment are being distributed correctly, providing support and opportunity for workers all throughout the production process.
Fairtrade have seen on a regular basis how fast turnover fashion creates a wealth of issues for producers in the developing world, undermining the security and sustainability of the income their families and communities rely on. They are dedicated to the development and growth of ethically sustainable clothing.
Cameron also highlights just how important it is that we consider the sustainability of cotton production (financial, social and environmental) in a global market place. Cameron, like many others, is optimistic that by looking at the big picture and considering each step of the supply chain – beyond shipping, beyond manufacture, beyond dyes, all the way back to the primary producers – the fashion industry can work towards a sustainable future.
To hear more, get along to “Is Fashion Sustainable? An Open Discussion” presented by Wardrobe Wonderland as part of L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival. The event will be held at Honey Bar on Tuesday March 22 from 6pm. Tickets are free but bookings are essential. Head to www.isfashionsustainable.eventbrite.com to book.
This article was also published by Onya Magazine.
Alex Trimmer’s easy relaxed attitude is deceiving. Upon meeting him, you could be forgiven for thinking that he’s just another twenty-something fashion kid.
It takes only five minutes of conversation to realise there’s more to him – and to his label SOSUME – than we may have come to expect from the clichéd fashion crowd.
When studying the final semester of a business degree in the US, Alex found himself drawn to the New York Fashion District, attending textiles fairs, studying up on eco fabrics and eventually navigating his way through the global maze of fabric and fashion agencies – finally discovering the range of environmentally conscious fabrics that are now the staples for the SOSUME ranges.
SOSUME uses technical textiles like modals and tencels as the foundation for his collections. Natural man-made textiles like modal and tencel fabrics have great green properties thanks in large part to minimisal water use, especially when compared to traditional cotton production. Aside from the great green credentials, the fabrics have the added benefit of feeling like cashmere and washing and wearing far better than your traditional cotton t-shirt.
Working in reverse to many emerging fashion labels, Alex lets the practical considerations and versatility of the fabrics guide his design process – working within the physical constraints to build garments that last, retain their quality feel and resist trends. With a strong range of quality basics, tailoring and softly draped garments- with a few spectacular pieces injected into each collection – every SOSUME season looks a lot like the essentials of the modern wardrobe. And samples are personally tested by Alex before they pass the quality test – getting the tough wash and wear treatment you would expect of a busy working fella!
The formidable combination of business thinking and long term planning mean that Alex’s efforts in sourcing fabrics with sound environmental sustainability credentials are working – seeing him feature as one of 10 emerging designers in this year’s The Spirit of the Black Dress as part of L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival. SOSUME is quickly gaining a reputation for quality garments for a classic transeasonal wardrobe, with an added dose of personality and polish.
Make no mistake, Alex has no misconceptions about the social, environmental and financial flaws in the current fashion industry. Like many campaigning for sustainability in the industry, he looks forward to the day when there is no such thing as “sustainable fashion” as a separate movement removed from the mainstream. “This is not just a fad, sustainability will change the industry”, he says.
SOSUME is now in its fourth seasons in and fast becoming a darling of the Melbourne fashion crowd. Thankfully, at 25, Alex still has his head firmly on his shoulders and more than enough ambition to see him through many seasons to come.
You can see SOSUME featured with 9 other emerging Australian fashion designers in The Spirit of the Black Dress at The Trust, 405 Flinders Lane everyday until March 22.
Alex will also feature in “Is Fashion Sustainable? An Open Discussion” presented by Wardrobe Wonderland as part of L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival. The event will be held at Honey Bar on Tuesday March 22 from 6pm. Tickets are free but bookings are essential. Head to www.isfashionsustainable.eventbrite.com to book.
So I was in a fashion show on Wednesday night.
Let me just clear something up though. Contrary to my extroverted nature, I am not at all comfortable with the idea of everyone staring at me as I strut down a runway… And as a very wise woman once said (yes, I’m quoting Carrie Bradshaw), “I don’t want people to think I don’t know the difference between a model and me”. I understand the difference. I’m 5’4″ and just a tad more than the model standard of 40-odd kgs so its kinda hard not to. But I digress…
When the lovely people at Savers told me they were putting on a fashion show to launch their new Mill Park store, and that I would get to model an outfit of my choosing and take it home with me, I really couldn’t say no. I love free clothes as much as the next person, and I especially love them when I get to promote op shopping and take home second hand treasures all in one hit. (I just blocked out the fact that there would be people there taking photos of me – how could I forget!?)
I’ve always loved Savers, ever since I first walked into the Sydney Rd store during O-Week and discovered all kinds of weird and wonderful pre loved items. It saw me through many weeks when my university level budget was depleted and I needed a wacky costume. I’ll often spend a couple of hours walking down the aisles, occasionally stopping to marvel at having found such a prized item for a stupidly cheap price – the wonders of recycling! It really is a happy place.
Though Savers does not operate like your traditional charity store, it is an interesting business model. They work in partnership with a variety of non-profits (Sids for Kids and Diabetes Australia here and more than 120 world wide) and set up collection facilities for preloved goods on their behalf. They buy these goods back from the charity for a set price per kilogram, and sell them in a retail environment as a for-profit business. Contentious though this may be, consider the following:
Now yes, not all donated items make it onto the shop floor (far from it in fact), so the business model is flawed, but this is the case with all op shops and clothing collection facilities and it certainly isn’t the fault of Savers. We will be discussing this at a future meeting of Gladrags Vox Pops so make sure you get along to find out more.
As always, I was really excited to catch up with some lovely friends of mine on the night. I was lucky enough to walk down the runway with Chloe Partikas (previous Wardrobe Wonderland featuree) and Leeyong Soo (coming up soon). Blogger, snapper, co-conspirator and previous featuree Cheryl Lin was also there and she snapped many of the photos posted here (except, obviously, the one of her).
Between us, we did do quite a little bit of damage at the cash register. But who can say no to a VIP shop at a recycled superstore? Not I, and clearly not Cheryl.
If you’re like me and you’re not too keen on getting drenched at the races today, you may be looking for a sweet little vintage market to entertain yourself.
Hello Sailor is now a firm favourite on the Melbourne Market Circuit, with a monthly shindig at the Grace Darling Hotel in Collingwood. With music and a mixed array of stalls, the market isn’t like every other community or council market. Plus – it’s undercover!
They even have food and drink specials on offer most markets (this week it’s a roast – not so good for vegans) so it’s a great way to spend your Saturday or Sunday.
Held on the last Saturday and Sunday of every month from 12- 6 (so you get to sleep in a little), the stall holders have second hand treasures, and a few handmade newbies. This weekend is specialising in 50s – 80s goodies so you can expect gorgeous additions to a sad wardrobe, plenty of kitsch homewares and lots of vinyl.
Get down to 114 Smith St and have a look this afternoon or head to the facebook page for more info.
For the first ever Wardrobe Wonderland post I am featuring a friend, blogger, fashion lover and partner-in-crime, Mademoiselle Cheryl Lin. Cheryl is an inspiring creative mind, despite the fact that she works in a very corporate day job. It is easy to see how she uses her wardrobe as a creative outlet, and for this reason she has her own blog called Business Chic – giving people inspiration on what to wear to work. This time, she herself is the inspiration.
The outfit.
Jacket is preloved Diane Von Furstenburg from Secondo on Toorak Road
Floral top was from uni op shop days
Ring is handmade from a German Keyboard key (FYI it means ‘picture’)
Gloves were bought from Mimco and then refashioned by hand (chopped off the fingers)
Cherry blossom necklace handmade by Gutter Glory ~ you can find her at the Rose St Market or on Etsy
Chain necklace is handmade by the very talented Katherine Baulch ~ her line is called House of Baulch and this piece uses piece of vintage jewellery she found in the US and has mounted on one of her deco shapes
What are you about?
Working in colour. Good food and wine. Cooking soup for family and friends. I’m told that I make awesome soup.
Your favourite vintage/recycled clothing shops?
Vintage: American Rag Traders. I just recently purchased the most divine 1950s summer white cotton dress with blue flowers. Can your readers help me source a ticket to Rome, Vespa and a Gregory Peck look-alike? (Note: Contact me if you have one or all of these in your backyard and I will pass them on.)
Recycled: Secondo. I used to work there for fun but had to stop because I was spending all my pay + my regular earnings there.
Your favourite markets?
For a weekly market- I love Rose St Market- great to meet the creatives showcasing their charming clever works.
I also love the Round She Goes markets ~ all indoors but sooo many sellers with lots of good things. It’s like getting to raid the wardrobes of hundreds of stylish women. So good!
Your favourite artists or designers?
Gustav Klimt and Tamara de Lempicka immediately come to mind.
Your fashion inspiration?
Like Melbourne weather is ever changing and a bit of everything all rolled into one… I have trouble with the “take one thing off before you leave home rule.” (Note: Observant Wardrobe Wonderland readers will have noticed that Ms C carries alternative accessories in her bag for an easy transition from work to play. She is one organised little fashion ninja.)
The best thing about wearing recycled/refashioned/handmade/vintage clothing?
It’s a treasure hunt! And there’s nothing quite like finding a beautifully kept vintage piece- I’d like to have a wardrobe with just what I need- like a few beautifully made merino wool pieces which I could embellish with really special treasures.
