By Casey Neill
Two Greater Dandenong students will dress rock stars in op shop outfits for a Melbourne Spring Fashion Week runway show.
Jodean Pereira from Dandenong North and Tu (Nevie) Trinh Tran from Springvale South are both studying a diploma of applied fashion design and technology at Kangan Institute.
They’ll present outfits made from unsaleable Red Cross shop donations in the Ecothreads event on Saturday 24 August.
All-girl Melbourne rock band Stonefield will perform live at the event wearing up-cycled outfits designed using 3D body scanning technology.
Kangan Institute’s lead fashion educator Vicki Nicola said the Danish Fashion Institute’s 2013 study found the fashion industry was one of the world’s biggest polluters.
“This collaboration is a great example of education, sustainability and popular culture coming together to really make a difference,” she said.
All proceeds from the event will go to the Red Cross.
Nevie will be showcasing an upcycled crop top and skirt outfit.
“I’m excited and nervous at the same time. This is the first time my designs are in a show,” she said.
She will be continuing the advanced diploma next year and looking forward to becoming a designer after graduating.
“I was a beginner. In high school I didn’t do any sewing so when I started out here I learnt and processed a lot,” she said.
Jodean’s passion for fashion started in high school textiles.
“I was so fascinated by how a garment came together,” she said.
“I learnt to develop my drawing skills and became really interested in this creative career path.
“I always wanted to do something I loved as a career. You only get one shot in life so I’m going to give it a red hot go.”
Her ultimate dream is to open a small bespoke formal wear business.
Ecothreads starts at 8pm on Saturday 27 August at Cherry Bar in AC/DC Lane, Melbourne.
Visit http://msfw.melbourne.vic.gov.au/com_event/ecothreads-rags-to-runway for more information and tickets.
