Calling all emerging fashion designers with a commitment to authentic design and sustainable practice.
The National Wool Museum and the City of Greater Geelong are challenging designers to create one original outfit that represents their personal design aesthetic, showcasing their commitment to sustainable fashion.
We the Makers is a major biennial event on the National Wool Museum calendar centred around the Sustainable Fashion Prize. Aligned with Geelong’s designation as a UNESCO City of Design, the National Wool Museum is dedicated to championing the past, present, and future of fashion with recognition to Geelong’s ongoing role in the wool, fibre and textile industries.
We define sustainable fashion holistically, and champion ethical practice, design ingenuity, material consciousness and business innovation. Every two years we will showcase emerging themes from the world of sustainable fibre and textiles through the next generation of fashion designers.
Entries open on 22 February 2023 and is eligible to designers both in Australia and abroad with less than ten years industry experience. Outfits are judged by a panel of industry professionals against their ability to design and redefine sustainable and ethical textiles with entries responding to the following categories: Material innovation, Circular process innovation, Design innovation or Business innovation.
Four awards were given to Australian Designers in 2020 with two entries sharing the top prize of $10,000. All shortlisted garments being on display at the National Wool Museum Designer Showcase.
Major prize winners 2020
- Rebecca Gully, Melbourne: Neutron Dance; What to wear to the disco apocalypse – survival of the hottest.
- Rowena, Juliana and Angela Foong x UoN: Six Seasons Newcastle, New South Wales
Highly Commended Local Maker 2020
- Courtney Holm: People’s Choice: Amal Laala and Simon Piry of ‘Broc The Kasbah’ Collective
