Blue Mountains News

The symposium is a gathering of industry leaders and emerging experts in the field of sustainable fashion and textiles, as part of Sydney Craft Week.

Topics include the cost of fast fashion and how and the importance of supporting ethical fashion.  It will explore the realities of local manufacturing and why one, or few, well-made pieces can be so much better for our environment than multiple cheap choices.

“Blue Mountains City Council, through the MNTS MADE initiative, is proud to deliver sustainable events like this textile workshop,” Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill said.

“In a world of fast fashion, it’s a wonderful opportunity to learn skills using materials with a minimal footprint to help avoid over-consumption.

“It’s also great to see such an array of talent, both homegrown and visiting, sharing their exceptional skills to help us build a sustainable textile industry locally.

“Whether you’re a budding fashion designer or interested in sustainable practices at home, everyone is welcome, so please help us support events like these by signing up and coming along.”

The experts who will be sharing their skills on the day include: textile designer and printmaker,Julie Paterson (Cloth); sustainability consultant and author Jane Milburn OAM (Textile Beat); Robert Inshaw, (local brand Summit Gear and founder of local outdoor gear manufacturerWhippa); Jessica Leslie of sustainable furniture brand Koskela; local fashion designer Daisy-Rose Cooper (Sleight of Hand); and award-winning local creator Vincent Turner of Yoku.

Together, they’ll explore the ways we can achieve an ethical local textile industry and why it matters.

The design of the event will be informal and practical, including a Q&A session featuring physical examples and maker presentations, plus demonstrations by local artisans and the chance to watch us create your own MTNS MADE t-shirt.

There will be opportunities to purchase fabric and other products, and to contribute to Julie Paterson’s Menindee Memorial Loop Project, an ongoing artwork in response to the devastating pollution of the Baaka-Darling River.

There will also be practical tips on growing a textile garden from Council’s Planetary Health team.

The MTNS MADE Sustainable Textiles Symposium is on 18 October, 10am-3pm, at Tibbi Whalan Hall, 81-83 Katoomba Street, Katoomba.

Get tickets here