Eco Luxe Runway: Upcycling meets couture

Charlotte Morton

By HOLLY HARMAN

Upcycled couture was brought to life during a sold out Melbourne Fashion Week runway show at North Melbourne's Meat Market.

The Eco Luxe Runway showcased several works by The Kangan Institute’s fashion students, all created from Red Cross donations.

Director of Creative and Professional Industries at Kangan Institute, Katrina Jojkity, said the runway aimed to showcase luxurious tailored wearable clothing made from donated garments.

“Just because something is upcycled or made from discarded fabric, it doesn’t have to look torn, messy or unfinished,” Ms Jojkity said.

Onlookers snapped the extravagant couture paired with boots and floral hat. PHOTO: Holly Harman.

“I always say fashion is a barometer of cultural change in society, and this is one of them," she said.

“Now everyone is on the bandwagon of sustainability, so it's just going to grow and grow."

The evening runway, held on Monday, saw a combination of everyday wear as well as elaborate couture pieces.

A floor-length dress made from plastic packaging opened the show.

Opening couture piece made from recycled food packaging. PHOTO: Holly Harman.

Images of industrial pollution were projected onto a backdrop as other, more wearable pieces, made their way down the runway.

Several statement couture pieces were intricately detailed, showcasing the artistry of their student creators.

A standout for the crowd was a pant-and-puffer-vest ensemble, paired with bright red sunglasses, a forest green beret and fiery red square-toe snakeskin boots.

Wearable ensemble of sustainable fashion. PHOTO: Holly Harman.

Kangan Institute graduate fashion student Nadine Aurin had three pieces on the runway.

Ms Aurin said she had “a Zimmerman-inspired look that was made completely out of natural fibres” as well as “a completely upcycled look that was more street style inspired and another dress in there that was a more tailored look”.

“It's just an amazing thing to make new looks out of old garments,” she said.

Ms Aurin's street-style look on the runway. PHOTO: Holly Harman.

Kangan Institute fashion coordinator Vicki Nicola said the show was about “bringing back the craftsmanship of the well made things that last longer”.

“Fast fashion doesn’t last long, it's fast, it's slap-dash and not good quality anymore,” she said.

Since launching its first show in 2015, Kangan Institute’s focus on sustainable fashion has had increasing popularity and success.