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.