Since March, ECO Fashion Week Australia (EFWA) and the Ellenbrook Youth Centre have been collaborating to offer a series of youth textile art technique classes aimed at inspiring and educating local youth about creative fashion and sustainability.
Under the direction of volunteer assistant Hayley Beardman and founder and creative director of EFWA, Zuhal Kuvan-Mills, young participants have been learning how to upcycle used clothing into stylish pieces that embody eco-conscious ideas for the past six months.
The courses give students practical experience in textile art techniques while focusing on teaching them how to upcycle old t-shirts and jeans into new, fashionable creations.
In addition to acquiring useful skills, participants have learned important information about how fashion affects the environment, such as what happens to old clothing after it is discarded and how to reuse it to cut down on waste.
As the primary facilitator and art instructor for the classes, Ms. Kuvan-Mills has collaborated extensively with the young people at Ellenbrook Youth Center to assist them in creating a line of eco-friendly clothing.
The collection, which was made by young designers 12 years of age and up, will be on display on November 18 at the Ellenbrook Art Gallery as part of EFWA's Community Sustainable Fashion Showcase.
The free event will promote eco-friendly fashion and provide a stage for showcasing young talent.
The youth textile art workshops are completely funded by EFWA and provided free of charge to participants, supporting the organization's goal of enlightening and incorporating a variety of communities in the transition to a more sustainable future.
The organization engages the community in a variety of ways through its outreach, from youth programs to aged care initiatives, making sustainability accessible to all.