Kayell Australia – Professional Practice Award.
Dressed was developed in collaboration with five fashion designers, resulting in a digital platform that showcased their designs through photo spreads and interviews.
Layla Bengoa’s clothing line, Faeble, draws inspiration from dark fairytales and childhood dreams. All clothing is handmade in Naarm from vintage and second-hand textiles. Layla aims to mitigate the impact of textile waste and fast fashion by creating beautiful, intentional pieces, fit for modern fantasy.
Yiran ‘Yvette’ Zhou explores the bond between identical twins through her project Twinning. Her garments are presented in pairs, illustrating themes of connection and individuality. Each piece can be worn by two people simultaneously or by one, reflecting the relationship of identity and shared experience. She utilises materials from the Australian Wool Education Trust and incorporates waste fabric strips to create 3D shapes on the garments, achieving a zero-waste approach.
Yutong ‘Carmen’ Cai’s project Reimagine History examines the evolution of fashion from luxury to mass production. By reconstructing historical garments through a contemporary lens, she explores societal structures and perceptions of the past. Carmen practices sustainability by utilising second-hand materials, focusing on efficient recycling methods. Her approach minimises waste through minimal cutting during production. By transforming contemporary menswear into historical women’s costumes, she not only highlights gender fluidity but also promotes a thoughtful reimagining of fashion’s narrative.
Jessica Virk presents her radical capsule collection The Median, inspired by architect Zaha Hadid. Her designs celebrate the beauty of juxtaposition, encouraging wearers to stand out through bold silhouettes and layering. She creates garments that can be worn in multiple ways, promoting versatility and longevity in fashion.
Shan Li explores the relationship between the body and material in her project Skinned. Using PVC to evoke the texture of human skin, she challenges conventional notions of fashion. Her sustainable practice includes experimenting with recycled PVC and bioplastic, promoting sustainable material use.
