Sustainable Couture is a flourishing network of Australian textile artists and designers,
passionate about creating distinctive eco-fashion and promoting sustainability
About Sustainable Couture
An early eco-fashion movement, Sustainable Couture was launched in Alice Springs, Australia, in 2009 by a flourishing group of creative, eco savvy designers and textile artists.
Through its unique approach to recycling, refashioning and reconstructing textiles, Sustainable Couture has focused community attention on sustainability through presenting the endless possibilities of recycling, upcycling, repurposing and reducing textile waste.
The collective energy of the group is refreshed annually with new designers being invited to participate, or the return of past designers - the ebb and flow is managed by a core group of Sustainable Couture designers and makers
This
Back to our Roots 2024
Sustainable Couture Exhibition 2024
Back to Our Roots
This innovative exhibition, featuring work by 12 designers
and the story of Sustainable Couture, was opened on
Thursday 20 June by Franca Frederiksen and Philomena Hali,
co-founders of Sustainable Couture.
Click here to see the 2024 Exhibition Gallery
This eclectic collection by 12 Australian designers took us
back to the location of our first event held at Central Craft
in 2009.
Local Alice Springs designers Franca Frederiksen,
Kate Merry, Kristina Kidd, Jen Standish-White and
Marg Johnson were joined by Carmel Ryan and Janie
Andrews (Darwin, NT), Philomena Hali and Natalia Rodrigo
(Perth, WA), Nicky Schonkala (Victoria), Liz Wauchope and
Naina Devi (Adelaide, SA).
GGGG
From Gail Hayes' stunning 1970s and 80s collection - exemplifying Choose well, buy less.
Models Nicola and Kate
From our co-founders
Exciting
Exciting possibilities ahead.
As you know, last year's show was Sustainable Couture's "Final Bow". However, excitingly, promisingly, Chloe Whitlow, who has been involved in the show in the past has stepped forward to pick up the reins.
Chloe has some abfab ideas to reshape and renew Sustainable Couture. But she'll need a core committee to pull it all together. The retired collective will be available for advice if required.
On behalf of all the past designers, models, volunteers & partners, Philomena and Franca invite you to become part of the event's rebirth.
Please get in touch with Chloe if you're interested.
Philomena Hali and Franca Frederiksen
Instigators of Sustainable Couture
Meet our Designers
Co-instigator of Sustainable Couture and three-time recipient of ‘runner-up’ Wearable Art Awards, Franca is passionate about fashioning stylish garments from recycled and sometimes surprising fabrics.
Philomena is recognised nationally and internationally for her diverse work; her pieces are held in private collections, museums and galleries across Australia and overseas.
A long-time dressmaker and passionate about the environment, Carmel prefers to reuse and repurpose, and loves working with vintage pre-loved or found natural materials that 'come with a story’.
Galleries
"My experience in Alice Springs is that residents really embrace grass roots arts initiatives – not just for the aesthetic aspects but for the ‘bigger picture’ messages that are being promoted.
There is a growing demographic which is environmentally and socially conscious and Sustainable Couture events are held in high esteem by these people.
But I do think that Sustainable Couture reaches beyond this demographic and this town too – for those people who are straight out lovers of art, textiles and performance."
Alice Springs resident
We thank our generous volunteers and enthusiastic audiences
We thank our generous and valued sponsors and partners
for giving us the opportunity to develop our creative skills, contribute to a rich, innovative art, craft and design community
and bring attention to the national discussion around our environment and the urgent need to reduce textile waste in landfill.