Above photo: Atelier Biologico Firenze, Italy

Related story: African Fashion Week Vancouver: Joyful and colourful

The fashion exhibition and runway shows showcase the work of various artists and designers, including Atelier Biologico Firenze from Italy, Green Embassy from Australia, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, Sylvia Calvo from Spain, Zuzana Hrubos from the Czech Republic, Gia Dianna from the USA, and others.

There was an exceptional display of talented eco-designers from Australia, including Amee Dennis, Beads N Pods, Emergent Art Glass, Emily Craig studio, Fabric of Nature, Funk N Soul 97, Keli Studios, Leah Kelly, Ashley Majoni, Mon, Regis, and others, who were prominently showcased in both evening runway shows. 

EFWA Florence edition featured artist talks with several speakers throughout the two-day gathering at Spedale del Bigallo, a heritage hostel located on a hillside with views of Florence. It is believed that the original building on the property was a hospital constructed in the 13th century for the needy, the ill, and pilgrims.

In the early 15th century, civic records indicate the addition of a church attached to a main building that featured rooms on two floors. Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the church stood a residence for priests and a home for the farmer.

Today, it is known as the Bigallo hostel, offering dormitories and rooms with a total of 52 beds, located within one of the region’s most historic accommodations. It provides guests with a connection to Florence’s history, a stunning garden, and a panoramic terrace for dining, all complemented by an unforgettable view of the city.  

Florence is recognized as the birthplace of Italian fashion, especially during the 1950s. While Milan later emerged as the fashion capital, Florence continues to hold a significant place in the narrative of Italian style, particularly for its contributions to bringing the Italian fashion industry to the forefront of the global scene. Therefore, it is only fitting that EFWA selected Florence to host their opening global fashion show.

EFWA’s next conceptual fashion art show global tour stop is set for Vancouver, Canada, in September. Stay tuned for more details as they become available.

Photos: Simon Lau

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Above photo: Zuhal Kuvan-Mills earns acclaim for her Ghost Glacier collection.

Related story: Sylvia Calvo showcased her Indonesia collection at EFWA

Dressed in a strapless, floor-length white gown, the first model stepped onto the runway and revealed her violin, which was hidden behind her back. She began to play, and the room quickly filled with the music of Palladio by Karl Jenkins. Unbeknownst to the audience, the model was Kristy Hughes, a professional violinist with the Community Chamber Collective. This eight-member collective was seated in the balcony, performing for the entire Green Embassy fashion show under the direction of Shaun Fraser.

Ghost Glacier by Green Embassy was the grand finale for EFWA, featuring fashion designer Zuhal Kuvan-Mills, who showcased 20 couture outfits conveying a critical, thought-provoking message about our environment. 

The initial garments were solid white, symbolizing the glaciers of the ocean. As the show progressed, we noticed increasingly blue hues in each piece. By midway through the show, the blue tones became evident, accompanied by the music from the Phantom of the Opera that filled the room. The final outfit featured a long blue dress paired with an embroidered white scarf worn by the model, representing oceans nearly devoid of glaciers.

Over the past decade, I have admired Zuhal Kuvan-Mills’ creative mind as she crafts couture garments while also taking steps to preserve our environment. On her Perth farm, she raises several alpacas from which she gathers fibres to create outfits. She consistently works with natural materials such as alpaca, merino wool, silk, and organic cotton, never wasting a single piece of material. 

Green Embassy’s eco-fashion creations are fully handcrafted in Australia and have gained international recognition as the country’s first organic fashion label. Their textiles and garments hold certification from Global Organic Textile Standards, which are the premier benchmarks for quality assurance in the global organic textile industry.

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Diversity is part of all designer runway shows today, but the industry standard expects female models to be a minimum of five feet 10 inches tall and have a size two figure. As female models have caught up to their male counterparts, male models must now be six feet two inches or taller once the ladies put on their high heels. 

Above photo: Designer Joschua

Dr. Zuhal Kuvan-Mills, Director of Eco Fashion Week Australia, has always selected models of various heights and body sizes, reflecting the world in which we live today. Her models ranged from five feet to the standard and included different body types. Typically, shorter models are used for catalogue photography and as fit models.

Fashion runway shows are designed to be an immersive experience that conveys the designer’s brand. Usually, it lasts less than 15 minutes, resulting in months of preparation and hundreds of thousands of dollars for fashion models, a backstage crew of make-up and hair artists, tailors, lighting technicians, runway photographers, choreographers, musicians or deejays, emcee, and a stage manager.

Over the past decade, social media has made fashion shows more theatrical, which I find distracting. However, nothing replaces a well-made and cohesive collection on the runway. 

Top European designer seasonal collection shows now feature more than 100 models lasting up to 30 minutes. Their straight-line runway shows always leave a lasting impression that captivates audiences, for it is all about the garments.

When I review a designer collection from the front row, the first outfit must wow me, and the anchor – the last garment must be awe-inspiring. During the show, the assortment must build on the collection for their prospective clients.

A designer collection isn’t remarkable because of extravagant staging. Selecting the right model who speaks to your audience, regardless of height or body measurement, creates memories that remain with us. 

That’s the winning formula with the fashion models from Eco Fashion Week Australia.

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More Fashion News:

EFWA aims for world record with longest sustainable fashion runway show

Under the artistic direction of Dr. Zuhal Kuvan-Mills, the new eco-fashion collection titled “Ghost Glacier” conveys a message about climate change and the melting of the world’s glaciers.

On the runway, the first model was dressed in a stylist’s long white dress, symbolizing our Artic white glacier. As her runway show progressed, each following model’s outfits became bluer, with less white symbolizing the disappearance of our world glaciers. 

Her collection celebrates the spirit of sustainability. However, the twelve fashion dresses in her collection that evening were world-class and could easily have been found on Paris, Milan or London runways.

Green Embassy’s opening show was just the beginning of EFWA fashion shows showcasing designers from around the globe. Fashionistas are guaranteed to experience some of the best eco-friendly yet stylish fashion for men and women. EFWA ‘s Busselton and Perth show calendar can be found on their website.

Green Embassy is known for its unique fusion of timeless textile sculptures, traditional handmade techniques, organically certified materials and luxury quality. Their wearable art pieces elevate slow fashion to luxury.

Dr. Zuhal Kuvan-Mills is the artist, designer, and earth ambassador for Green Embassy, Australia’s first internationally recognized organic fashion label. She focuses on modern, minimalist, functional, and alluring garments for earth-friendly consumers. Zuhal is inspired by ancient textile crafting traditions and the vivid beauty of Western Australia’s bush landscapes.

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The evening started with rich aboriginal print dresses which were bright and colourful. Followed by recycled jewel tone accessories, European street style, plus a couple of protest signs to exquisite luxury glamour.

Here is a look of Eco Fashion Week Australia runway collection from last evening.

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Eco Fashion Week Australia has partnered with Fremantle-based wool merchant, Scanlan Wools Pty and their partnering company Sunshine Textile Group from China to challenge local design students and established eco-designers to create one unique garment using only three square meters of Merino fabric.

Since the late 1700’s, wool has been very much a part of the Australian landscape. Western Australia now produces 71 million kg wool per year with over 95% of Merino wool destined for the luxury fashion market.

A total of ten student designers from Western Australia educational institutes plus six eco designers received Western Australian Marino wool that is created with superfine 18.5 micron fibers from Scanlan’s Merino wool growers, was sent to China to be woven at Sunshine’s’ wool mills and returned to Perth to be created into custom garments.

Last evening at EFWA, the final results on the runway were amazing. From high fashion glamour of long dresses and casual street style to children’s wear.

Eco-friendly consumers want to know how and where they fabrics are made these fashion designers has shown that Australia Merino wool is the choice when it comes to style, comfort and sustainability.

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Eco Fashion Week Australia has been successful in bringing together both established and emerging fashion designers as well as artists, activists, media, businesses, local governments and the broader community to raise awareness for environmentally conscious fashion in both Australia and on a global scale.

Now in its second year, Eco Fashion Week Australia’s expansion to a traveling, two-city runway show is all due to the efforts of Zuhal Kuvan-Mills, founder of EFWA and eco-friendly luxury fashion designer. Through both her own line Green Embassy and EFWA, Kuvan-Mills promotes sustainability and slow fashion with passion and determination.

Above photo: Green Embassy collection by Zuhal Kuvan-Mills | Model Lauren Di Meglio – Dane Selby Modelling Agency |Make-up Jessica Vlog | Photo Aiden Green

Port Douglas: Fashion for the Rainforest

Home to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef – the world’s largest reef system – and the vast tropical biodiverse rainforest of Daintree National Park, Port Douglas is the perfect location to bring home Eco Fashion Week Australia 2018 message of how beautiful and yet fragile our environment is and how we must consume less fashion in our daily lives in order to protect our planet.

After Port Douglas, the show travels to Fremantle, the port of Perth, for a second week of designer fashion shows. Both venues will feature business and educational programs, eco seminars and mending workshops, providing opportunities for each of us to learn how we can make a difference in our world.

As a media sponsor, Style Drama will be reporting on the latest eco fashion news from the front row and offering up luxury travel stories on the best of Port Douglas and Fremantle’s hotels, restaurants and attractions such as wellness, adventure and shopping options during the week.

Sustainability is the New Black

Zuhal Kuvan-Mills will be introducing Green Embassy’s new collection which is inspired by the Carnaby’s Cockatoo, an endangered species in Australia whose numbers are declining rapidly.

With their natural habitat of native vegetation cleared by urban development, this species is expected to be extinct in less than a decade. As the population declines, they are no longer breeding in up to a third of their breeding sites.

The cockatoos form lifelong pairs and live up to 50 years in the wild. But with a large portion of the population past breeding age, and very few younger birds to keep the species from declining, this bird’s days appear to be numbered.

Zuhal Kuvan-Mills created her Carnaby’s Cockatoo collection using a myriad of fabrics such as Australian merino wool, alpaca fiber, organic cotton, silk as well as cheesecloth and recycled window dressings. This represents just a sample of her collection which will be featured at both locations.

Eco Fashion Week Australia 2018

With the goal to inspire us to change our perspectives on fashion, Eco Fashion Week Australia showcases the most creative, artistic and beautiful designs while remaining socially and environmentally responsible. Need proof that environmentally conscious fashion doesn’t have to be drab? Look no further than Style Drama. Our coverage of the exquisite and fashion-forward collections at Eco Fashion Week Australia 2018 will make you an green fashion convert.

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The inaugural Eco Fashion Week Australia did away with that bohemian image last week by showcasing chic, wearable collections with a focus on quality and sustainability.

Under the direction of Zuhal Kuvan-Mills, designer for Green Embassy and founder of EFWA, over 40 eco-friendly local and international fashion designers were brought together to demonstrate how style, culture and a love for the environment intersect to create the future of fashion for conscious consumers.

During the weeklong event, which took place in the port town of Fremantle near Perth, eco-friendly designers proved that they are part of the solution to landfill waste and ocean plastic, offering slow alternatives to the unsustainable practices of the fast fashion industry.

Along with workshops on recycling and upcycling materials and the use of natural fibers, the festival showcased high quality, stylish and versatile clothes for every occasion, proving once and for all that eco fashion is not just for flower children and free spirits.

From Green Embassy’s glamorous dresses to the outback wildflower jewelry of Curtin Springs’ Amee Porter to the sporty and smart casual looks by Merino Country, eco-friendly fashion has something for everyone and is increasingly a part of the Australian style landscape.

Here are the top looks from Eco Fashion Week Australia.

Green Embassy is the New Black

Eco Fashion Week Australia’s opening show was Green Embassy, a luxurious eco-friendly fashion brand by Australian designer and event founder, Zuhal Kuvan-Mills.

The collection shown at EFWA, entitled Empty Ocean Series, was inspired by the diversity of marine life and the changing textures of the ocean waters. Done up in natural silks colored with vegetable dyes, the fluid forms of Green Embassy’s designs represent the pinnacle of green fashion and prove that glamour can be good for our planet.

Sista of JAC

Sisters Selda and Yeshim Ismail make up the design team behind Sista of Jac which presented a runway show full of colorful prints, bold colors and abstract lines inspired by architecture and science.

Based in Melbourne, they design their own fabrics which include organic cottons as well as rescued textiles such as wool and silk.

With a goal of sustainability and zero waste production, they offer high quality luxury garments for the discerning eco fashionista.

Sylvia Calvo

Scouring the waterfront docks of Barcelona, Sylvia Calvo collects and recycles coffee bags to create her eco-friendly collections.

She also collaborates with other artists to create hand-painted organic cottons and woven fabrics made from leftover textile scraps that combine art and couture.

Calvo believes that sustainable fashion goes in hand in hand with elegance, creativity and design and, with one of the most impressive collections on the runway at Eco Fashion Week Australia, her designs bear out her beliefs.

Amee Porter, Curtin Springs

A self-taught jewelry designer, Amee Porter creates her collections from the natural grasses and plants of Curtin Springs, a Central Australian cattle station located 40 kilometers from Ayers Rock.

From the landscape of the Australian desert, native grasses are harvested, pulped and pressed into unique sheets of paper which are then formed into jewelry. Surrounded by a 360-degree horizon, Porter draws inspiration from the ever-changing vistas of the million acre cattle station which includes a workshop and gallery out of which she creates and displays her wearable art.

Jude Taylor

The love of wild colorful Australian flowers and the exceptional landscape they flourish in is what inspires Jude Taylor’s fabric designs. Working with natural fibers such as linens, cottons and silks, she experiments with unbleached fabrics to create beautiful floral patterns.

Offering classic trans-seasonal styles that can be enjoyed for many years to come Taylor is one to watch for eco-conscious consumers.

Kirsten Ley

Kirsten Ley’s inspiration for the collection she showed at Eco Fashion Week Australia was drawn from the concept of Snell’s Law and the exploration of translucent light refraction.

Not only is Kirsten is a fashion designer, she is also an artist, a singer and a songwriter who wrote the music for her runway show at Eco Fashion Week Australia.

Using only natural materials, the multi-talented Ley empowers women with confident clothing that moves naturally with the female form.

Arcaro Couture

Angelia Arcaro started creating clothes when she was 11 years old and has a deep love of beauty and art. As each Arcaro Couture gown is unique and made from only the finest natural materials such as wool, cotton, linen and silk, her collection is an expression of individuality and quality.

Angelia Arcaro offers up true elegance with a Australian twist. Each Arcaro Couture gown is hand-crafted and embellished with antique jewelry, reworked lace, pearls, gemstones, beads, feathers and other ornaments discovered at local markets.

Lima Jordan

Using raw and recycled fabrics, Lima Jordon of Melbourne creates avant-garde fashion that is also simple and practical, exploring and reinterpreting the origins of clothing.

As a designer, Jordan chooses to go against fast fashion, fight for workers’ rights and support the slow-fashion movement. Her current collection was inspired by nomadic/tribal lifestyles, traditional artisan fabrics and unknown cultures and effortlessly combines her sustainable values with innovative designs.

Merdi Sihombing

Since childhood, Merdi Sihombing has been enveloped by the arts in all its forms – singing, dancing, painting, poetry and more. He started designing clothing as a teenager and is inspired by the cultures of the diverse tribes of Indonesia.

One of the difficulties he faces as a designer is taking the rich culture and traditions of Indonesian fashion to global markets while still using sustainable fabrics and supporting ethical workplace practices. Given all he’s achieved in the eco fashion world, he’s sure to rise to the challenge.

Merino Country

Merino Country’s wool garments are all about comfort and performance for people with an active lifestyle. The intrinsic properties of the company’s merino wool are that it is breathable, easy to care for, ideal for sensitive skin and renewable and biodegradable.

Fashion designer Kerrie Richards was raised on a sheep station in Western Queensland and has created a wide range of garments, including underwear, activewear and smart casual clothes such as polo shirts, dresses and shorts.

Polyester yoga pants are destroying our oceans by releasing small polyester beads during the wash cycle which are then consumed by fish and ultimately end up in our bodies. For all the eco-conscious yogis out there, Merino Country’s wool yogawear is one solution the plastic that pollutes our oceans.

Elle Evans

Originating in Melbourne, this youthful swimwear line created by Elle Evans, showed a series of of playful swimsuits inspired by the colour of a ruby red grapefruit at Eco Fashion Week Australia.

With a strong belief in doing business in an ethical and sustainable, Evans strives for the smallest footprint by using 100% recycled PET Nylon Lycra materials made from ghost nets and other plastics from the oceans. Fabrics made from recycled plastics or scrapped fabrics take up to 40% less energy to produce than virgin fabric and, as Evans’ designs show, produce garments just as stylish as anything you’d find in a fast-fashion outlet.

Connally McDougall

Since childhood, traditional clothing and textiles along with nature and architecture have fascinated Connally McDougall and influenced her aesthetic. Based in Vancouver, Canada, McDougall aspires to create chic fashion for women with materials that are both ecologically and ethically sustainable.

Her collection, including a line of handbags, is made in her own studio from organic cotton, wool, silk and faux leather.

Upcycling Challenge

Eco Fashion Week Australia Upcycling Challenge by Marilyn R. Wilson featured the works of 21 designers from 12 countries. The challenge was to create one runway look from used men’s dress shirts that showcased their design style and the designers did not disappoint.

The look above is by Jessie Liu of San Francisco, a master of creating flattering silhouettes in bold graphic prints that appear almost three-dimensional.

Verdant the Label

Designer Kyra Brown has always wanted her line of women’s clothing, Verdant the Label, to represent the positive side of fashion. This meant spending months researching the fashion industry in order to ensure that, from farmer to consumer, from the treatment of garments workers to the use of natural materials, her clothes are as ethical and eco-friendly as possible.

Drawing her inspiration from social media and people watching as well as art, vintage style and the international fashion scene, Brown is fascinated by how light, color and texture play on the body and the imagination.

Chaynika Sethi of CVS Fashions

With a focus on structure, detailing and tailoring, Chaynika Sethi is all about power dressing. Designing collections for both men and women, she offers a unique perspective on corporate wear.

Sethi works with organic, unprocessed natural fabrics like linen, cotton, wool and silk as well as textiles derived from coffee beans to create fun and innovative styles that are sure to add confidence and attitude to any workplace wardrobe.

If you go:

Fremantle serves as the port for Perth, Western Australia’s capital, and is located on the mouth of the Swan River which flows into the Indian Ocean. As a visitor, you will experience a seaside village filled with waterfront restaurants, museums and boutiques. The British convicts who built the foundations of the city first landed in the early 1800’s and several of the original Victorian buildings still stand today, providing some historic charm to go with Fremantle’s relaxed, small town feel.

Savour:

With the convicts came the archetypal British fish and chips and Fremantle’s waterfront district is filled with pubs and restaurants that offer this traditional fare. The local favorite is Kailis which combines casual dining with quality food from the classic fish and chips meal to full entrees of bbq fish, octopus, scallops, oysters and more. There is ample seating inside or on the dock but watch out for the hungry seagulls.

Just next door to Kailis’ is Bathers Beach House which offers diners views of cruise ships departing eastward into the Indian Ocean. Menu offerings range from seafood platters to beef burgers to mahogany creek chicken breast salad, all highly recommended.

Sights:

The seafaring history of Fremantle is on display at the Western Australian Maritime Museum located right on the waterfront. The current exhibition, Escape from Pompeii: The Untold Roman Rescue, is a must see. In 79 AD Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying the city of Pompeii under huge clouds of volcanic ash and debris. The exhibition tells story of the Roman Navy’s attempts to evacuate people and the importance of controlling the Mediterranean to their empire. On view are artifacts such as personal objects and the remains of those who died in one of history’s most famous disasters. This exhibition runs until February 4, 2018.

Shopping:

For those who wish to take home a memory of Fremantle, Glen Cowan’s Studio at the Roundhouse located at the foot of High St. Cowan offers a wide range of colour prints and images on jewelry. Cowan is an underwater photographer who has captured the beauty of marine life in the region and his pictures make ideal keepsakes to remember your visit to Fremantle.

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After two years of planning, EFWA Founder Zuhal Kuvan-Mills has delivered a world-class fashion week for Australia, driven by her personal commitment to save our planet from ourselves and future generations.

The gala evening began with a traditional dance ceremony by Xpression Models followed by a preview of over 40 eco-designers and student fashions from Curtin University Design WA, ECU Western Australia, Melbourne Fashion Institute and RMIT University, Victoria.

Tonight’s runway program opens with luxury haute couture Green Embassy Australia, followed by Jude Taylor Australia, Sylvia Calvo Spain, Malawi Africa, Connally McDougall Canada and Shravan Kumar India.

The real test for EFWA is now with the eco-fashion designers, show us what you got.

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The goal of EFWA is to collaborate with fashion designers, artists, the media, industry and government to raise awareness about environmentally conscious fashion. This weeklong event will showcase 44 local and international fashion designers and will include two unique curated shows plus performances by three talented local musicians.

Here are some of the designers I will be watching out for at EFWA.

Elle Evans – Australia

Elle Evans is all about sustainable swim, beach and activewear. Made from 100% recycled fabrics, her garments allow you to be fashionable without negatively impacting the environment. Her mission is to make you look good on the beach, by the pool or at the gym while minimizing your ecological footprint as much as possible.

Selçuki & Ali – Turkey

Selçuki & Ali transforms traditional fibers into unique and wholly- handcrafted fashion and lifestyle products through innovative production methods. Expect timeless, elegant pieces made from natural fibres from this dynamic duo.

John Ablaza – Philippines

John Ablaza is a Manila-based international eco fashion designer who is known for his use of sustainable local materials in his designs. His awe-inspiring collections have graced the runways of Hong Kong, Singapore, London, Bahrain, Sydney and Toronto.

UpCycling Challenge by Marilyn R Wilson, International

The EFWA Upcycling Challenge by Marilyn R. Wilson will feature the works of 21 fashion designers from 12 countries. The designers are challenged to create one runway look from used men’s dress shirts, showcasing their personal perspective on fashion. Though the sky’s the limit in terms of concept, they are required to incorporate at least one detail from the original garment rather than simply using the skirts as fabric.

Eco Fashion Week Australia

November 23 – 27, 2017

Perth, Australia

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