After recent day surgery, Dr. Zuhal Kuvan-Mills, Creative Director and President of Eco Fashion Week Australia (EFWA), found inspiration to repurpose hospital uniforms, reduce textile waste, and raise funds for St. John of God Foundation’s Gift of Hope project.
Dr. Kuvan-Mills undertook carpal tunnel surgery at St John of God Mt Lawley Hospital when an idea to repurpose caregiver scrubs into a fashion line was born.
“I was speaking to the nurse on duty pre-surgery, and we discussed the amount of potential textile waste across many industries where staff wear uniforms. A discussion with this environmentally conscious nurse on her uniform’s potential destiny just before I entered the operating theatre was the source of my idea,” said Dr. Kuvan-Mills.
Gift of Hope
With the idea firmly planted, Dr Kuvan-Mills then discovered St John of God Foundation’s ‘Gift of Hope’ project, which supports cancer patients experiencing financial hardship related to their treatment.
In discussion with EFWA local designers, Green Embassy, Fabric of Nature and Deadly Denim, Dr. Kuvan-Mills inspired the group to create a clothing collection from hospital uniforms to present during what has now become a month-long sustainable fashion festival in Busselton and Perth this November.
The ‘Aqua’ collection is inspired by water shortages and changing weather patterns. It will be showcased during the month-long festival and will be available for sale on the show night of November 16 at Midland Junction Arts Centre. All proceeds from the EFWA sale that evening will be donated to St John of God Foundation’s Gift of Hope project.
EFWA at Busselton Jetty
Part of the collection will also feature on the festival’s opening night on Friday, November 1st. The festival will also seek to set a world record with a 3.6 km fashion catwalk over the Indian Ocean on Busselton Jetty, with local, national, and international designers and many creative community groups participating.
