A towering mound of ‘unsellable’ clothing in central Geelong later this month will encourage the public to take a hands-on approach to a global problem.
Each year 92 million tonnes of unwanted clothes end up in landfill across the world – that’s a truckload of clothes dumped at the tip every second.
According to environmental website earth.org, if this trend continues the amount of ‘fast fashion’ waste could increase to 134 million tonnes per year by the end of the decade.
So, what can we do to reverse this?
The striking Circle of Thread’ installation seeks to take on this issue one stitch at a time, by engaging the community in creative repair.
This interactive event, as part of Geelong Design Week, encourages participants to take garments from the pile and work alongside designers to breathe new life into discarded textiles.
Finnish-Australian artist and designer Emily Rastas – the mind behind Emipeli Design – will lead a series of workshops teaching aspiring fashionistas how to repair, repurpose and revive old garments.
Anyone can come along, learn and have a go at creating something special from the more than 1000 pieces of clothing that make up this eye-catching installation.
This thought-provoking event also showcases colourful and vibrant garments that Emily has already brought back to life, along with works by fellow sustainable fashion enthusiasts Lazarus and Kate.
Through these collaborative efforts, Circle of Thread highlights the importance of sustainable fashion and promotes a circular economy, where clothing is not wasted but repaired, repurposed and cherished.
Circle of Thread is open to the public between 10am and 4pm from November 21 to 30. For more information visit: geelongdesignweek.com.au/events/circle-of-thread-pop-up
The circular economy theme continues throughout Geelong Design Week, with a series of events highlighting its benefits for our society and the environment.
On Tuesday November 26, internationally renowned speaker Ashleigh Morris will share her expertise on circularity and its transformative potential both in Australia and around the globe in Circularity and the Future of Geelong.
The event will then dive into a dynamic panel discussion with some of Geelong’s brightest minds in the circular economy.
Together, they will explore groundbreaking ideas that push the boundaries of modular housing, innovative battery solutions, renewable energy and more.
For more information visit: geelongdesignweek.com.au/events/what-does-circularity-mean-for-the-future-of-geelong
These events also tie with the City of Greater Geelong’s work to promote the circular economy in our region.
Earlier this year, the Nexus Clean Economy Showcase celebrated our work in this vital sector over the past decade, while pondering what lies in store for the next 10 years.
Since 2014, the City of Greater Geelong’s clean economy business support has helped create and maintain more than 670 jobs, expand 60 businesses, increase skills for more than 2600 people and increase sales for clean economy goods and services by $19 million.
The circular economy forms a big part of Geelong Design Week 2024, which is set to be the biggest yet with more than 70 exhibitions, workshops, talks, tours and unique experiences.
This year’s event will run from November 21 to 30, celebrating design excellence, innovation and creativity across Greater Geelong. To see this year’s program visit geelongdesignweek.com.au
