In a world of waste, we choose zero.

In a world of machines, we choose the human touch.

Last May, Eco Fashion Week Australia (EFWA) brought the Buya Subi Project fashion show to a full house at the Vancouver Public Library.

Led by founder and creative director Dr. Zuhal Kuvan-Mills, the runway showcased work from 21 designers from Australia and beyond.

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Dr. Kuvan-Mills is no stranger to the Vancouver fashion community. Nearly a decade ago, she debuted one of her first collections at Vancouver Fashion Week.

Today, she calls the city her second home, crediting its designers and journalists with reconizing her talent and encouraging her path in fashion.

The Buya Subi Project launches a new four-year EFWA initiative exploring the intersection of culture and sustainable fashion.

It is a landmark collaboration between EFWA, the Central Sulawesi government, the Consulate General of Indonesia in Vancouver and the UN Sustainable Development Goals initiative. 

At the centre of the project are women in Palu, Indonesia, who handcraft silk textiles on manual looms using a tradition more than 300 years old. EFWA is helping preserve that heritage at a time when globalization continues to pressure local craft communities.

Buya Subi, a traditional textile from Central Sulawesi, is more than a handwoven fabric. It embodies community, tradition, and a deep respect for the environment.

With support from the Sulawesi government, each of the 21 participating designers received two square metres of Buya Subi fabric and was invited to create a runway look around it.

The resulting pieces honoured the textile’s cultural significance, foregrounded environmental responsibility, and helped create a pathway for local women to build a sustainable craft economy through tourism.

Ultimately, the Buya Subi Project is about more than preserving textile heritage, craftsmanship, and design. It is also an invitation to rethink how—and why—we buy fashion.

Photos: Simon Lau

The post EFWA: Buya Subi Project appeared first on styledrama.

Rooted in the principles of sustainable fashion, the EFWA promotes slow, local production, recycling, and reuse. These values are deeply embedded in traditional craftmaking, honouring the long-standing practices of Indonesian artisans.

Above Designer: Heaven Tungga, Model: Charlize Parkinsonn, Photography: Alexis Rose Photography

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Goals and Objectives

“The EFWA Buya Subi Project aims to provide promotion, education, investment, and cultural awareness to rejuvenate traditional weaving in Donggala artisanal textiles, safeguarding their future,” said EFWA Founder and Director, Dr. Zuhal Kuvan-Mills. “The proliferation of cheap, fast-fashion textiles, such as polyester, poses environmental risks through toxic production and undermines the value of handmade textiles. The slow production rates of traditional crafts struggle to compete with fast fashion. Resulting in skilled artisans unable to pass down their expertise due to limited income opportunities from handmade fabrics.”

Significance of Donggala textiles

In Central Sulawesi, traditional textiles hold immense economic and cultural significance, fostering identity and community. Yet, like many local textile traditions, they face the risk of losing ancient knowledge and craftsmanship.

Traditional Donggala textiles are a vital part of Indonesian cultural traditions, closely tied to local customs, stories, and identities. To ensure the survival of these centuries-old crafts, it is crucial to establish supportive structures that protect artisans and highlight the relevance of their work in today’s society.

UNESCO Recognition and Sustainable Development

UNESCO has recognised traditional craftsmanship as an intangible heritage that requires protection and promotion under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Opportunities for sustainable livelihoods exist in cultural tourism, and the traditional craft sector plays a key role in achieving SDGs related to women’s empowerment, reducing inequality, increasing access to employment, and strengthening sustainable production and consumption.

EFWA Global Engagement

EFWA is a proud member of the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network, which champions transparent, inclusive, and transformative engagement among global stakeholders. The Network fosters cross-industry collaboration and partnerships with the United Nations system, accelerates innovation and knowledge exchange, and promotes members’ advancement of sustainable development through impactful solutions.

The EFWA Indonesia Buya Subi Project is set to showcase Donggala’s fabrics on global runways in 2026. More details will be provided as they become available.

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