L’Oreal Melb Fashion Fest
- Words by Kelley Sheenan
It’s LMFF time again and we are very excited to see the usual Melbourne black being slowly replaced by green. There are several great events designed to lighten those stiletto footprints on the catwalk – check out our pick of the eco-inspired events in the Cultural Program below…
The Spirit of the Black Dress – March 12-21, 12-6pm
Venue: The Trust, 405 Flinders Lane
The Spirit of the Black Dress (pictured above) is a fashion photography and textile exhibition that showcases ten emerging Australian sustainable fashion designers. The event is run by a group of independent recent graduates from different backgrounds committed to raising the profile of sustainable fashion and increasing international appreciation for Australian design. The young designers highlighted are chosen by a panel of industry experts from amongst the best in Australia. We believe they are the start of a vibrant fashion community that privileges discourses of fashion excellence paired with strong environmental and social principles.
Wear It – March 18-27
Venue: Stockroom, 98 Piper Street, Kyneton
Emma Grace and Ellie Mücke invite you to be inspired by their approach to making new from old. In response to the largely un-sustainable fashion industry the Wearit exhibition and workshops aim to facilitate a shift in the way that we consume fashion. The workshops invite participants to bring along broken or un-loved jewellery and shirts to re-create into something new. Wearit is an opportunity to re-connect with community and a forum to share skills and exchange ideas. Wearit aims to provoke a mental and physical shift away from a ‘throw-away culture’ and shows how wearing the consequences of this shift can be truly inspirational.
Thread Den Sewing Workshops – March 1-31
Venue: Thread Den 433 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
Thread Den gets to the heart of the fashion industry in Melbourne with an inspiring variety of classes presented by Melbourne designers. Start with the very basics or jump straight into patternmaking, fashion illustration and complicated construction techniques. Join the Thread Den designers in one class or more this March and continue your sewing and design adventure. Now is your chance to find out what all the Thread Den fuss is about. Classes are presented in short sessions in the evenings and on weekends. Many classes include exclusive Thread Den patterns with just the right amount of vintage nostalgia.
Wardrobe Wonderland Panel Discussion: Is Fashion Sustainable? March 22 6pm
Venue: Honey Bar, 345 Claredon Street
How is what we wear impacting the world around us? What social problems does the fashion industry contribute to? How does the global economy impact on our local fashion industry? As levels of disposable income and consumption increase, what impacts can we expect to see? Are these what we want to see? What can be done to change them? At this event, attendees will witness and contribute to a panel discussion on the sustainability of fashion – the social, environmental and financial issues of every lifecycle stage of a garment. The discussion will stimulate thinking on subverting accepted norms, behaviour change, innovation, taking a slower approach to fashion and long term planning.
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“We love that we can bring a hint of imagination and whimsy into everyday life by making ordinary objects fun. We’ve learned to appreciate the little wins and to take a moment for each step we achieve.”
Disillusioned by the realities of fast fashion, design grads Emily May and Sidonie Moore ditched clothing for a business that finds fun in the everyday. Enter @TheNonsenseMaker: a collection of unique homewares, fun wall art, greeting cards and more that breathe life into Emily’s illustrations: “I love the idea of taking real-world objects and changing your perspective in a way that brings magic and whimsy into everyday life!”
In issue 64’s feature ‘It all makes sense’, we chat to the Naarm/Melbourne-based duo about their sustainability philosophy, TV re-runs and their commitment to local makers. At stockists now!
Photos: @MeAndMyGirl
#PeppermintMagazine #TheNonsenseMaker #LocalMakers #SustainableCraft
Any New Year’s resolutions on your list? We love this from @OtterBeeStitching - “be brave enough to suck at something new”.
There’s no points for perfection, but you’ll get a trophy for trying. If nothing else this year, take the leap and try something new.
#OtterBeeStitching #Embroidery #BeBrave #TrySomethingNew #EmbroideryArt
Sunday serving suggestion ☀️
Gorgeous photos from @JolieFemmeStore - who make sweet garments from vintage bedsheets.
#PeppermintMagazine #SlowSunday #SwitchOff #Unplug #ReadAMagazine
A toast to the old you 🥂
We wholeheartedly love this post from the brilliant @EmilyOnLife:
“2026: Reinvent, burn it down, let it go (whatever it is). Year of the Snake it up. Exercise your boundaries, exercise your body, take one teeny step every day towards a life that feels better to be in.
But don’t you dare shit on your old self while you do it.
Hold yourself with reverence and tenderness and respect, because you got you this far. You did your very best with the information and tools you had at the time. You scraped yourself together, you made it work, you survived what felt impossible to survive: again and again and again.
You are perpetually in the process of becoming, whether you can feel it or not, whether or not you add it to your 2026 to-do list.“
Some very wise words from @Damon.Gameau to take us into 2026 🙌🏼
⭐️ We made it!!! ⭐️
Happy New Year, friends. To those who smashed their goals and achieved their dreams, and to those who are crawling over the finish line hoping to never speak of this year again (and everyone else in between): we made it. However you got here is enough. Be proud.
It’s been a tough year for many of us in small business, so here’s to a better year in 2026. We’re forever grateful for all your support and are jumping for joy to still be here bringing you creativity, kindness and community.
We’re also excited to be leaping into the NY with our special release sewing pattern – the Waratah Wrap Dress!
How great are our fabulous models: @Melt.Stitches, @KatieMakesADress and @Tricky.Pockets - and also our incredible Sewing Manager @Laura_The_Maker! 🙌🏼
Ok 2026: let’s do this. 💪🏼
#PeppermintWaratahWrapDress #PeppermintPatterns #SewingPattern #MeMade #WrapDress #WrapDressPattern
