VAMFF and the Circular Economy
- Words by Peppermint
Heard of the circular economy and know it’s a Good Thing, but not too sure what it means in reality? Or consider yourself a fully paid-up member of the fan club, but want to know how you can help the broader fashion industry get onboard? In the run up to The Possibility Project’s amazing ‘evening of fashion activism’ at VAMFF with ‘The Future is Unity’, we caught up with The Possibility Project and slumwear108 co-founder, Kim Pearce, to get the lowdown on the ins-and-outs of the sustainable fashion future.
What most excites you about the circular economy in fashion?
It represents a highly natural way to organise the supply chain so that our fashion choices (for both the makers and takers) are restorative and regenerative for people and planet – it invites us to reevaluate the type of impact we want to make with our fashion dollar.
How is it different to the linear fashion economy?
The linear economy is based on a make, take and dispose mindset – whilst it produces material gain for some, the system is deeply wasteful and exploitative. The linear economy feeds our appetite for fast fashion – products are delivered quickly and cheaply, but we’re finally waking up to the waste that it produces. The circular economy is largely about re-evaluating what we waste on earth.
Why did you decide to adopt the circular economy for slumwear108 (which utilises discarded saris and materials in new clothing)?
We wanted to encourage people to reimagine what can be created with what they already have. Nature has a wonderful accounting system, and humans not so much. Our choices have become so wasteful, and we wanted to turn that waste into value. Every decision we make is based on creatively looking at what we already have, and the cornerstone of the circular economy (and slumwear108) is creativity, rather than time and money.
Where do you source the saris that you upcycle into dresses?
When you decide to trust that everything you need already exists, the universe has a way of bringing it to you. We met a wonderful man in Jaipur who helps us source the saris. Upcycling comes from the imagination, not the material!
Are there tips for readers who may want to bring circular consumption into their own lives?
The biggest tip we can give people is to wholeheartedly accept that the smallest individual actions will make a difference. When we value ourselves we naturally value everything around us. Waste is a consequence of disconnection – we’ve forgotten how things are made, by whom and with what, so anything that promotes unity between people and planet promotes circularity. Whether you refuse, reduce, repair, restore, rethink, recycle, do it with a sense of unity.
‘The Future is Unity: the Circular Economy’s in Fashion’ takes place on Thursday 15 March at South Melbourne Market – tickets are available here.
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Wrap dress wardrobe malfunction? Not with the Peppermint Waratah Wrap Dress pattern!
Our number one complaint is wrap dresses flying open in the wind, leaving you clutching a handful of skirt in your paw to avoid a public indecency offence. So we designed the Waratah to make sure this never happens. 🌪️
And yes, you could say we had a lot of fun on this shoot! 😆
MODELS/SEWISTS: @Melt.Stitches, @KatieMakesADress @Tricky.Pockets
Head to the link in bio for the #PeppermintWaratahWrapDress 🪡
#PeppermintPatterns #SewingPattern #MeMade #WrapDress
Secret pjs all day everyday!
How sweet is this version of our Samford Set pattern - created in collab with Lindsey of @SewToGrow 😍
From @Claire.Creates.Clothes:
🟤🟣🟢 Colour spot blocking pregnancy friendly set 🟢🟣🟤
I wanted some #secretpyjamas that I can wear on the couch when I’m pregnant and after for breastfeeding, with a top that I can wear out of the house. Welcome the #PeppermintSamfordSet
I made the Samford set top in a size F, one size up from my current bust and it’s the perfect amount of room for my expanding tummy, and will hopefully not be crazy oversized after pregnancy. I used a spotted linen that used to be considered good fabric, blocked with a organic linen sheet that was gifted to me for the sole purpose of being fabric by the lovely @heather_steenholdt
The top came together super quickly and has already had lots of wear - couch, dinner and work ☑️ I even attached the buttons within a week of starting the project, who am I?!
I already had the shorts in the rust linen but never wear them because I don’t like the length or shape at all - they were a pants pattern that I just made shorter. So I cut them to have an inseam of 2.5” and added a 1.5 length ruffle cut at 3” in the contrast spot linen and love them so much more already. Although the shorts will now just be reserved for in house.
I’ve already planned 2 more Samford sets, but will size down to get more post pregnancy wear. And will tackle the pants!
Special thanks to Laura at @peppermintmagazine for sending me the Samford set instructions, you motivated me to put the buttons on before the baby actually arrives! 😁
Pattern: @PeppermintMagazine Samford set top
Size: F
Fabric: Linens
#PeppermintPatterns #PyjamasAllDay
“We are in unprecedented times in the United States, at least in terms of having a government who openly and unabashedly disparages, rejects and causes harm to trans folks and other marginalised groups, including immigrants. So my team decided I should make a piece of art that included the words ‘You Belong Here’ that people could hang in their homes, and this piece was born.” @LisaCongdon 💕
These words were spoken by Lisa in our latest issue, and they are now more relevant than ever. Our latest issue is full of creativity, inclusivity and belonging. Our cover is the front door, welcoming you into our house of hope. You are welcome. You are valued. Take a seat at our table.
YOU BELONG HERE. 🫶
Issue 64 cover artwork by @LisaCongdon
At newsagents and stockists now.
#PeppermintMagazine #EqualRights #LGBTQI+ #Equality #YouBelong
As issue 64’s gorgeous cover artwork by artist @LisaCongdon proudly proclaims: you belong here. Yet for trans and non-binary people, acceptance still remains hard won – and increasingly under threat.
In our latest issue, we spoke to actress and transgender rights advocate @GeorgieStone, multi-hyphenate life coach, pilates and meditation teacher, diversity educator and runway model @RudiLandmann, artist and seven-time Archibald finalist Kim Leutwyler (@CarlosBob) and multidisciplinary artist Sunday Jemmott of @SundaysArtClub about their wins and worries – and why belonging matters deeply.
Read more from our ‘Transforming the Narrative’ feature in issue 64, at newsagents and stockists now!
Photos: @NickCog, @KateLukePhotography for @DangerousFemales, Kim Leutwyler, @RissVisualStudio
#PeppermintMagazine #YouBelong #TransLivesMatter #NonBinary #HumanRights
Who’s going to the sold out Liberty Fabrics Showcase in Brisbane or Melbourne? 🙋♀️
To say we’re excited is an understatement! Maybe we’re biased because our lovely Laura (Sewing Manager) is walking in the fashion parade along with many other incredible sewists in our community, but also - there’s SO many good things: retail stalls featuring exclusive products, rare finds and all things @LibertyFabrics, and sneak peeks at brand-new quilting and fashion collections, including the Liberty Fabrics Spring/Summer ‘Floral Rebellion’ collection.
Also - Liberty legends Mary-Ann Dunkley (Head of Design) and Anna Buruma (ex-Head of Archive) are flying in from London especially!
Keep an eye on our socials this weekend for BTS! 🌸🌼🌺
Brisbane 7/2/26
Melb 14/2/26
From @Laura_The_Maker:
If you know me irl then you probably know that I only do one take for my reels so enjoy this vid of me saying thousands of words about an exciting collaboration I’m participating in for 2026!
Thanks to the teams @2GreenZebras @Regent_Street_Fabrics and @StyleArc for including me on the runway. I absolutely can’t wait!
Obviously I’ll be hoping for enough scrap fabric to make some kind of accessories…
#libertyfabrics #libertyfabricsshowcase
🌻 The Paddington 🌻
This is a much-loved staple, created for Issue 50 in 2021. We love seeing the #PeppermintPaddingtonTop continually popping up in our feeds!
How stunning is our model Elon MelaninGoddessEfon – she told us it was one of the first times she had been asked to come to a shoot with her natural hair. 🌻
We worked with South African patternmaker Sarah Steenkamp of @FrenchNavyNow_ to create this wardrobe essential – the perfect puff-sleeve blouse. Raglan sleeves make it the ultimate beginner sew, plus the gorgeous back buttons let you add your own personal twist.
Pattern via the link in bio! 🪡
Photos: @KelleySheenan
Fabric: @Spoonflower
Model: MelaninGoddessEfon
