Eco Fashion Week Australia (EFWA), in collaboration with Ellenbrook Youth Centre, since March 2024 has been running a series of Youth Textile Art Technique Classes designed to inspire and educate local youth about sustainability and creative fashion.
For the past six months, under the guidance of EFWA’s Creative Director and Founder, Zuhal Kuvan-Mills, and volunteer assistant Hayley Beardman, young participants have been learning to transform old garments into fashion-forward pieces that reflect eco-conscious principles.
The classes focus on teaching students how to upcycle old t-shirts and jeans into new, stylish creations, offering hands-on experience in textile art techniques. Alongside learning practical skills, participants have also gained valuable insights into the environmental impact of fashion, including where garments go once discarded and how to repurpose them to reduce waste.
Zuhal, who is both the lead facilitator and art teacher for these classes, has worked closely with the youth at Ellenbrook Youth Centre to help them build a collection of sustainable fashion pieces. The collection, created by young designers aged 12 and above, will be showcased on November 18th at EFWA's Community Sustainable Fashion Showcase at the Ellenbrook Art Gallery. This free event will serve as a platform to highlight the talent of the youth while promoting eco-friendly fashion.
The Youth Textile Art Classes are fully sponsored by EFWA and offered at no cost to participants, reinforcing EFWA’s mission to educate and involve diverse communities in the movement toward a more sustainable future. EFWA’s outreach includes a wide range of community engagement, from youth programs to initiatives in aged care, ensuring that sustainability is accessible to all.
Join us in celebrating the creativity and dedication of local youth as they present their sustainable designs to the community. EFWA invites everyone to support this inspiring initiative and witness firsthand how fashion can lead to positive environmental change.
About Eco Fashion Week Australia:
EFWA is an artist-run initiative founded by Perth,WA based Visual artist Zuhal Kuvan-Mills. EFWA is for everyone and features fashion art runway shows, exhibitions, workshops, artist talks, seminars as well as Anita Moon Award of Excellence, Upcycle Challenge and present student designer shows by collaborating with educational establishments.
The Sustainable Fashion Festival in 2024 will present ‘Closet of the Anthropocene’ to showcase the collections of 52 international and Australian designers and diverse community groups, who source sustainable materials and textiles to create unique pieces.
EFWA is proudly sponsored by Tourism WA, City Busselton, City of Swan, Shelter, Desert to Ocean, Tass1 Trees, Claires Organic Hair, Dene Selby Modelling, Green Embassy, Scoop Whole Beauty, Natulique, Community Chamber Collective and Auntee Ryan Artistry.
About Ellenbrook Youth Centre
The Ellenbrook Youth Centre is a multi-purpose facility with unique and modern spaces. The Youth Centre provides a safe space for young people aged 12 -25 years who study, work, live or socialise in Ellenbrook and surrounding areas.
The centre provides young people with access to qualified youth workers who can provide information, support and referrals to specialised services on a range of topics or issues they may be experiencing. For young people in need, there is laundry and shower facilities available.
Tickets and more information available at: https://www.ecofashionweekaustralia.com/