One to watch: Inside student designer Indigo Stuart’s hand-woven collection
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Jonathan Orrell
WORDS BY DAISY HENRY
“I’m fascinated by why certain pieces become cherished heirlooms, passed down through generations.”
RMIT design student, Indigo Stuart, is already making waves in the industry. One of two recipients of the Australian Fashion Foundation Scholarship Awards, Indigo’s honours collection was chosen by a panel of judges to receive a grant of USD$20,000 and an internship placement with a global fashion house in 2025.
Comprising of eight hand-woven looks, her collection, Inheritance was created using a four-shaft table loom. “Developing a fully hand-woven, zero-waste collection was an ambitious challenge,” Indigo says. Weaving, as a method for garment construction, is incredibly time-consuming and precise, leaving little room for error. Yet she was determined to find a way of making it work.
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Her work draws on her time studying in Sweden, which inspired her to work on an entirely new method of weaving. Driven by the notion of heritage, it explores how we develop long-lasting, meaningful attachments to our clothing.
Indigo’s collection is one of the many groundbreaking student works that will be on display at the National Graduate Showcase, in collaboration with Emporium Melbourne as part of PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival in February. Held at the Royal Exhibition Building, the runway will feature 13 graduate designers, including Indigo, hand-picked from Australia’s leading fashion institutions. Fashion Journal are a long-time media partner for the event and the student runway is always an exciting glimpse into the future of Australian fashion.
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Hi Indigo! How did you first become interested in design?
As a child, I was always performing – on stage, in costume, slipping into characters that transported me to other worlds. I loved stepping into someone else’s shoes, feeling the freedom to be whoever I wanted in that moment and seeing the audience connect with those transformations. It wasn’t just the performance itself, it was the costume that allowed me to embody those roles so completely. The fabric, the fit, the details – they worked together to create a sense of identity far beyond my own.
Looking back, I realise those experiences were more than play. They were my first lessons in the way garments can transform an individual. Fashion became a way to carry this forward, to explore how garments can shape not just how we’re seen but how we feel and who we are. Today, my designs are rooted in that same sense of transformation. They’re about creating pieces that invite wearers to form deeper connections – garments that hold stories, evoke emotion and become part of who we are.
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Tell me about the collection you’re showing for the National Graduate Showcase. What was your inspiration?
While studying in Sweden, I was immersed in a design culture that values textile craftsmanship and innovation. This experience inspired me to approach weaving in a new context upon returning to Melbourne, blending traditional techniques with an Australian sensibility.
This collection is about the idea of emotionally durable garments, particularly those imbued with personal and cultural significance. I’m fascinated by why certain pieces become cherished heirlooms, passed down through generations, carrying stories and memories. Through this work, I explore how heritage and craftsmanship, particularly tartan and weaving, can transform everyday garments into timeless treasures that foster deeper connections with their wearers. It’s about creating pieces that hold not only memory and identity but also a sense of attachment encouraging them to care for, repair and cherish these garments over time.
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What has the process of creating your collection been like?
My collection, Inheritance, is comprised of eight fully hand-woven looks complete on a four-shaft table loom. Developing a fully hand-woven, zero-waste collection was an ambitious challenge – an intentional risk that felt necessary. Weaving as a method for garment construction isn’t exactly conventional. It’s precise, time-consuming and leaves little room for error, especially when working towards zero waste.
I had to rethink the entire design process to ensure each piece was functional while taking into account my loom’s limitations. I fully immersed myself in experimentation, testing different materials, discovering techniques like floating to create seamless neck and armholes and developing a technique that allowed me to weave elasticated waistbands directly on the weaving loom. It was a labour-intensive process but it pushed me to innovate and develop new design systems.
How would you describe your collection to someone who’s never seen it before?
Inheritance is my exploration of how heritage and craft can transform clothing into something far more meaningful. Drawing on my time at the Swedish School of Textiles, I have created a handwoven collection where tartan meets zero-waste innovation. The pieces are designed to make wearers think about what makes a garment truly valuable, encouraging a deeper, more sentimental connection that lasts well beyond the initial wear.
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Who is exciting you the most in local fashion right now?
It’s been exciting to see my peers from my honours cohort creating with such diverse perspectives. The way everyone approached design so differently, whether through techniques, materials, or storytelling. It was inspiring to be around.
What’s been most rewarding, though, is the unexpected way people have connected with my work. The curiosity, the admiration – it’s motivating in a way I never anticipated and continues to push me forward.
What about the local fashion industry needs to change?
A question I constantly go back to within my practice and research is this idea that something can be inherently sustainable through the make of a garment but can it be sustainable through the wear?
It’s not just about how a garment is crafted but how it’s worn and cared for over time. We, as consumers, need to shift our mindset to becoming more accountable for the longevity of our wardrobes. Sustainability extends beyond the purchase. It’s about taking responsibility for what we choose to keep, care for and cherish.
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Who are your dream collaborators?
I’m drawn to collaboration that pushes boundaries and brings new perspectives. My dream collaborators would be those who, like me are deeply invested in craft and innovation, whether it’s a fellow designer, an artist or a skilled artisan. I’m really inspired by the work of Diotima and Stem and how both labels are constantly innovating within textile and garment design.
Where do you hope to be in the next five years?
As a recipient of the Australia Fashion Foundation Scholarship Award, I’m heading to New York this year to intern at a global fashion house. In five years’ time, I see myself having gained invaluable experience, both from my time interning in New York and from immersing myself in new creative environments. Ultimately, I hope to be well on my way to launching my own brand, shaped by these experiences.
How can we see more of your work?
As well as the National Graduate Showcase for PayPayl Melbourne Fashion Festival, I’ll be exhibiting my work as part of Craft Victoria’s Fresh! Exhibition, which is on from February 1 until March 8. I have three looks on display alongside other graduates with a focus on Craftsmanship.
Get your tickets to the NGS Showcase at PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival here.
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