A guide to the Fashion Revolution Week events around Australia this week

Rethinking our relationship with fashion.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Fashion Revolution Week, an annual event joining a global movement that calls for greater transparency, accountability and ethics in the fashion industry.

Looking for more fashion news and features? Head to our Fashion section.

Running from April 15 to 24, there’s an array of events taking place around Australia, from clothing swaps and panels to mending workshops. Below, we’ve rounded up what’s on across the week, so you can take part in the world’s largest fashion activism movement.

Melbourne

Ethical Clothing Australia x Fashion Revolution Panel

Ethical Clothing Australia and Fashion Revolution will host a panel discussion led by ethical fashion writer and author Clare Press. Clare will sit with a number of industry leaders (names are still TBC) for a conversation on the rights and future of Australian garment workers.

It’s an important conversation for anyone interested in local, slow fashion. With the number of garments manufactured in Australia seemingly dwindling, and the majority of our garment production moving offshore due to rising costs, the future of our garment workers has never been more important. Expect a robust, critical and eye-opening discussion. The panel takes place on Saturday afternoon with tickets available for $20 a pop.

Find out more here.

Mend in Public Day Hosted by Collarts

Saturday is Fashion Revolution’s inaugural ‘Mend in Public Day’. Much as the name suggests, the global event calls on consumers to get out and repair their existing wardrobe pieces in protest against disposable fashion.

Melburnians can bring their sewing kit and any garments in need of repair to the Collarts Fitzroy campus for a communal mending session hosted by fashion students and alumni. Expect to connect with like-minded sewers of all skill levels, as a way to improve your skills in garment mending and extend the lifespan of your wardrobe.

Find out more here.

Sydney

Mend in Public Day at Bondi Beach

For anyone in Sydney wanting to get involved, sustainable living organisation Transition Bondi and its Mend and Remake group are hosting a local iteration of the event. Among bustling tourists and locals, the group will be on-site at Bondi Beach grass mending torn pockets, broken seams, loose buttons and more. All skill levels are welcome to join and learn from their expertise.

Find out more here.

Brisbane

Clothing Swap Presented by Swap It

One way to ethically refresh your wardrobe is by swapping garments with like-minded people, so Brisbane-based organisation Swap It has organised a clothing swap to join this year’s roster of Fashion Revolution Week events. Held in Brisbane, the event is calling on anyone interested in fashion to consciously dispose of the loved pieces they no longer wear, or perhaps are a bit bored with, by swapping with new friends to bring home something new. It’s a true clothing swap, with no money changing hands.

If interested, prepare to bring along five pieces of clothing you’ll be happy to rehome.  All styles are welcome, from vintage to new season pieces, with apparel and accessories all changing hands. The only rule is all pieces must be in excellent condition, so make sure you’ve given everything a wash before bringing it along. The event is open to everyone, though venue space is limited, so you’ll need to register your interest.

Find out more here.

Darwin

Sewing and Styling Workshops Presented by Sister Buffalo

For those in Darwin, local retailer Sister Buffalo is hosting a series of workshops to level up your skills in sewing and styling. From today, you can learn to patch repair an item, hem an item, style pieces you love but are not sure how to wear, or even sew a bucket hat from scraps. There’s a small cost for each event, but the skills will last a lifetime.

Find out more here.

Find out more about this year’s Fashion Revolution Week here.