What the heck is upcycled clothing and why should we give a hoot?
The answer is easy says award-winning Melanie Child, a fashion designer from New Zealand who is arriving in Australia soon to launch a new collection at FASHFEST.
“Upcycle means to reuse one item to create another of higher quality or value than the original,” says Melanie. “We live in a world saturated with mass production and its byproducts. Approximately four per cent of total annual waste into landfill in New Zealand alone is textile waste. There is little point in adding to the problem.’
One thing is for sure. Upcycled clothing doesn’t mean compromise with design, says Melanie. Quite the opposite. Everything this designer produces is high-end and produced as one-off pieces or limited runs. This is creative redesign at its best.
“Some pieces reflect the shapes and silhouettes of the original garment, while others use more subtle detail integrated into the finished piece,” says Melanie.
Melanie even recently created a couture piece from business attire, including collars off men’s business shirts, called ‘Dawn to Dusk’, a play on the 9-to-5 work day. She entered the dress, which graduated from light to dark colours, into the Oversew Fashion Awards, an upcycling fashion competition. She won the Supreme Award.
Melanie’s designs are thought provoking and sculptural, with a dark edge. They’re highly sought after by clients from 16 to 60 who share a common thread—the desire to collect unique pieces that will last for many seasons.
The Melanie Child customer has an eclectic style. They don’t follow trends. They set them.
Melanie doesn’t use anything new, except for trims. She focuses exclusively on using post-consumer waste, or pre-loved garments, as raw materials.
That includes for the 12-piece collection she’ll showcase at FASHFEST 2015.
Melanie Child is on the runway Friday, 15 May. It’s Melanie’s debut appearance at the event.
For the best seats in the house, be quick to grab your ticket: www.fashfest.com.au
