Scanlan Sponsors Merino Wool Design Award
Wool is one of the most sustainable fibres on the planet. Western Australia produces 71 million kg wool per year, with over 95% of Merino wool destined for the high end fashion market. It is a perfect choice for sustainable clothing and a prominent component of Eco Fashion Week Australia (EFWA).
The second annual event, EFWA2018 will present the Merino Wool Design Award to a deserving designer who uses Merino wool. The award is proudly sponsored by Fremantle-based wool merchant, Scanlan Wools Pty Ltd and their partnering company Sunshine Textile Group from China. Western Australian student fashion designers and established eco designers each took up the challenge to create one special garment having been given 3 metres of Merino fabric.
“Showcasing the product of WA Merino wool growers, while featuring the creativity of WA designers to our world eco media traveling to Australia for the week-long EFWA event in Perth is very uplifting to our team,” said Zuhal Kuvan-Mills CEO of Eco Fashion Week Australia. “We are proud to be promoting Australian Merino wool.”
This fabric, created with superfine 18.5 micron fibres from Scanlan’s Merino wool growers, was sent to China to be woven at Sunshine’s wool mill and then returned to Perth where it was distributed to the chosen designers. These creations will be shown on the EFWA runway on Nov. 15 in Fremantle during the event gala night.
A total of 10 student designers from educational institutions of Western Australia are vying for the award:
Molly Ryan, Sarina Roose, Dana Checksfield from Curtin University,
Maisey Gedded, Philippa Canavan, Winston Felices Addon from Edith Cowan University,
Caitlin Gerken, Pamela Prince, Anika Engelbrecht, Rebekah Grimlinger, from South Metropolitan TAFE Bentley Campus
6 eco designers of Western Australia will also be competing:
Scanlan Collective,
Skylark The Label,
Clawdi,
Gemini Kite,
Fabric By Nature, and
Green Embassy
“We at Scanlan Wool are proud to be involved with Eco Fashion Week Australia,” said Peter Scanlan. “We’re pleased to provide this talented group of fashion designers with raw, but expertly produced, pure superfine Merino wool fabric sourced from wool growers in our fabulous state of Western Australia, produced by our Chinese partners, Sunshine. We can’t wait to see what is created and urge our WA wool growing community to come to see their wool on show!”
EFWA holds community, sustainability, and education at its core while also promoting locally, ethically produced fashion, conservation, and sustainability education.
In addition to full shows by established designers, EFWA will feature collections by Curtin University and Edith Cowan University fashion design students and will also present the Anita Moon Awards, and the Australian Made® Best New Designer Award.
Another 13 Australian and international fashion designers will be showcased in a collaborative show - the EFWA Upcycling Challenge by Marilyn Wilson – each creating one runway look from upcycled men's dress shirts.
Community events in both states will include Mending Workshops, Fashion Swaps, Pop-up Op Shops, ECO seminars titled, Disposable Planet 2 and a Designer Showroom offering work from Australian designers.
For EFWA2018 event details, including runway schedules and links to buy tickets, go to www.ecofashionweekaustralia.com
Green Embassy (Photo Credit: Aidan Green — Model: Lauren Di Meglio —Makeup: Jessica Vlog)
About Eco Fashion Week Australia 2018
Eco-Fashion Week Australia (EFWA) began in 2017 in Perth, Western Australia and was founded by Zuhal Kuvan-Mills, artist, designer and earth ambassador for Green Embassy, Australia's first internationally recognised organic fashion label. The event draws like-minded fashion designers and speakers from around the world. In 2018 EFWA expands to two Australian states. www.ecofashionweekaustralia.com
About Scanlan Wool Pty Ltd
Established in 1986 by Peter and Margaret Scanlan, the company has three decades of expertise in buying and selling West Australian wool with absolute dedication to achieving the best outcome for their loyal clientele.
Eco Fashion Week Australia proudly partners with Douglas Shire Council; Explore Tropical North Queensland; @Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef; Eluxe Magazine; The Bahamas Weekly; luxiders; Be Global Fashion Network; tommie magazine; Olio by Marilyn; Textile Beat; Circular Style Magazine; Style Drama; Dowerin GWN Machinery Field Days; LOIG'S MUSIC LAB; Dene Selby: Model School, Agency & Image Maker; Xpression Models; Claire Hair Boutique; Notre Dame University; The Beauty Room; QT Port Douglas; Ethically Kate; Slow Down Style; A Small Wardrobe; Zuii Organic; Australian Made Campaign; Edith Cowan University (ECU); Curtin University; Eco Fashion Talk; Rainforest Rescue; Sea Shepherd Australia; Reef Restoration Foundation; Indigo, Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef; and Curtin Springs Paper.
EFWA2018 presenting designers: Green Embassy, Connally McDougall, Curtin Springs Paper, Gemini Kite, Francesca Phipps, Sylvia Calvo, MOLA Curated Collection, Jude Taylor, Melaleuca Rise, CLAWDI, Pattern by Design, Nickelby Designs, Zuzana Hrubos, Classic Couture Vintage & Bridal, Junk Weavers Inc., Satisha, Skylark the Label, Barbwire Noose, BIRDTRIBE, Ren, Fabric of Nature, Livie Rose Designs, Studio Membrane, Beads 'n Pods, Sustainable Couture, Murii Quu Couture, EFWA Upcycling Challenge by Marilyn Wilson, Betty Spoke, Marita Moreno, NoRuYeLo, Robert Naorem, Ku'arlu Mangga, Leah Kelly by Design, Ngali, Things of Substance.