RISING stars of Melbourne’s thriving fashion scene are flocking to Footscray for the Colour Box Studio fashion program.
Coinciding with Melbourne Fashion Week, the program will showcase Melbourne’s creatives with a particular focus on the SELF (sustainable, ethical, local fashion) theme.
Yarraville jewellery designer Julie Tran says the five-week series of events and workshops will bring together some of the city’s hottest young designers.
Tran’s Aacute label, which she runs with her sister Kelly, features handmade geometric jewellery and wood-wick soy candles.
She says the fashion program is an exciting step for Colourbox Studio, a “fantastic initiative” for Melbourne’s west that fills a gap for the creative community. “I love that it’s an artist-run initiative, very grassroots. Everyone is so supportive of each other and this program will be a really good mix.”
Each of the designers embraces the SELF theme in their own creations and believes it’s an idea that’s slowly catching the imagination.
Evening wear designer Stephanie Malatino, the creative force behind the ELandTINO range of alternative evening wear with design partner Elsje Jordan, believes people are increasingly conscious of the ethical choices around fashion.
“They are aware where their clothes are coming from and can see the benefits of supporting local designers and the local economy.”
Studio 941’s Ida Suod, a silk-painter who will share her colourful range of scarves, says it’s great to be part of such a supportive scene.
The program will be launched at 4.30pm next Wednesday, February 27, with a pop-up fashion show, live internet radio broadcast, a photobooth and entertainment.
