As the festive season approaches, a TAFE NSW fashion expert is shedding light on the top five sustainable fashion trends and eco-conscious choices that are redefining holiday style.

It comes as Afterpay’s ‘Australian Fashion New Era Report’ reveals Australian shoppers are looking to prioritise sustainable fashion, with 40 per cent of shoppers saying that finding sustainably made items is important to them.

Laura Washington, TAFE NSW Head Teacher of Fashion Design said: “There’s been a growing shift to sustainability and circularity when it comes to fashion, due to increasing awareness of the impacts that the fashion industry both locally and globally is having on our planet, as well as the rising cost of living.

Ms Washington shares the top five sustainable fashion trends for this summer:

          1. Clothing rentals

Consumers are increasingly taking advantage of the booming fashion rental market and embracing the concept of renting and reusing clothing, rather than purchasing brand new. This holiday season, we’ll see Australians continue to save money and support a circular economy in this way.

          2. Artisanal craftmanship

There’s been a resurgence of handmade, locally-produced pieces. More and more people are purchasing locally to not only help promote sustainability, but also support small businesses.

          3. Slow fashion

In a shift away from fast fashion, consumers are focusing on quality rather than quantity, and investing in pieces that stand the test of time. We’re also seeing an emphasis on quality, natural fabrics such as cotton, linen, hemp and silk derivatives, but also new bio fabrics made from organic matter such as banana plants and cactus. There is also a shift to recycled fabrics and fabrics that are endorsed by global and authentic certifications.

          4. Eco dyeing

Eco dyeing is a technique where colours or natural dyes from plant materials are transferred to fabric. Fusing together style and sustainability, it’s a key trend this season.

          5. Upcycled fashion

Upcycling is becoming hugely popular in the fashion industry. More than ever, fashion labels are making use of leftover pieces and existing materials to create their designs, ultimately reducing waste.

“All of our fashion courses at TAFE NSW are taught by teachers with extensive experience in the industry, and the Fashion Design Studio instils in our students the importance of ethical craftsmanship and socially responsible design practices,” Ms Washington said. 

“Through quality, hands on training, our students gain the job-ready skills they need to succeed as a designer, while contributing to a more sustainable and responsible fashion industry,” Ms Washington said.

Media contact: Emma Hughes, Communications Specialist, 0409 618 291, emma.hughes51@tafensw.edu.au