Tasmanian-born designer Noah Johnson has created a capsule collection from upcycled tourist apparel

“Like most of the clothes I design, Off Cuts developed organically in a way that I didn’t expect.”

When I think of summer tourists, a very specific image comes to mind. They’re egregiously sunburnt but smiling, wearing outfits comprised of matching button-up shirts, shorts and swim coverups. Despite the sore-looking skin, their unwavering enthusiasm is reflected in an overwhelming combination of prints – toucans, pelicans, pina coladas and pin-up girls. Their fanny packs are tightly secured. It’s high camp, it’s Everything Everywhere All at Once: Gold Coast edition.

What it isn’t is winter in Tasmania. Yet the sensory overload that is summer tourist apparel was the inspiration for Oneofone Archive designer Noah Johnson’s latest collection, Off Cuts. The winter capsule collection, made in collaboration with Tourism Tasmania, is a celebration of the state’s Off Season – when in the quiet of winter, Tasmania really lets its freak flag fly.

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Using the “cheesiest of cheesy summer tourist shirts, board shorts and tropical eyesores,” Noah created an upcycled winter clothing range that reinvents summery secondhand materials. Genderless and individually handmade, Off Cuts pieces transform ‘tossed-out’ materials into whimsical wardrobe staples.

Though Noah now lives in Melbourne, he says Tasmania “really shaped” him growing up. “I’ve always wanted to find a way to leave my mark on where I was born and I am motivated to do big things. I want to show other Tasmanian artists and kids that you can come from our small state and still do big things.”

Having recently visited Tasmania for the first time myself, I can attest to its buzzing winter spirit. While most Australians choose to hibernate when it cools down, Tasmanians launch themselves headfirst into solstice-style festivities – food, art, dancing, fashion and dips in freezing water (for some reason).

“Winter and the Off Season is my favourite time of year in Tasmania – it’s when Tasmania showcases the best of who we are and what we have,” Noah explains. “This year, I get to interpret what the Off Season is about from a fashion designer’s perspective. This is completely unexpected and, at the same time, totally in line with the Off Season.”

At just 22, Noah has amassed over 190,000 followers on TikTok. His content follows life as a textile artist and various adventures in upcycling, including bed sheets, flour sacks, curtains, upholstery fabrics and coffee bags. “Like most of the clothes I design, Off Cuts developed organically in a way that I didn’t expect,” Noah says.

“This is how I love to go about my designs: I get a prompt for an idea, this then shapes the materials I source and the garments that end up in front of me, and it builds from there. I just run with it.” What I love most about Noah’s upcycled designs is his ability to transform materials while still spotlighting their original form.

In the Off Cuts puffer jacket, you see a nostalgic kangaroo tea towel like the one that might hang at Nan’s. In the bucket hats, you’ll find remnants of the boardies someone’s uncle used to wear while trying to beach bodysurf without getting dumped.

“As I was creating Off Cuts, I started wondering what people think about when they are on holiday or when they come to a new state,” Noah explains. “Why are they there? Why did they buy this cliché piece, and what did it represent for them? You don’t have to look too deep to understand what Off Cuts is about – it’s fun, it’s playful… unforgettable pieces created out of some really forgettable ones.”

You can browse the Off Cuts collection here.