Fashion Impact – 2023 Award Winners

Published on: 1 December 2023

Fashion design in the 21st century is steadily looking beyond aesthetics. While the innate appeal of style, progression and trend-setting is still paramount, so is a growing emphasis on circular design principles. Now, by harmonising traditional design priorities with social, environmental and sustainable pillars, fashion innovations are trying to right the wrongs of one of the most destructive industries on Earth.

These incredible initiatives are recognised within the Australian Good Design Awards in the Fashion Impact category. Each year, it celebrates projects that are using design to positively impact the future of the fashion industry from a sustainability perspective. The category awards those making significant steps to future-proof the fashion industry and our planet, including innovative organisations and approaches across:

Advocacy

Public awareness, education, lobbying through film, events, conferences, campaigns.

Design

Supply chain, innovative use of materials, production techniques, shifts to a circular economy.

E-platforms

That promote or aggregate sustainable fashion labels, renting, re-selling or up-cycling clothing.

Before we go on to discover the most impactful fashion projects in the 2023 Good Design Awards, let’s first explore some key aspects of sustainably-conscious and circular fashion design.

Redefining style through sustainable practices

Circular fashion encompasses an impactful design process that creates clothing and accessories in a way that minimises waste, reduces environmental impact and promotes sustainability throughout the entire lifecycle of a garment.

This commonly sees a number of design aspects prioritised:

Sustainable materials: Sustainable and eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, recycled fabrics and upcycled materials help minimise resource consumption and reduce the reliance on virgin resources during the manufacturing process.

Design for longevity: Timeless and durable designs that transcend trends encourage consumers to cherish and use their clothing for longer periods. This includes versatile pieces that can be styled in multiple ways and can extend a garment’s lifespan.

Closed-loop production and adaptability: Describes the prioritisation of recycling and upcycling into the design process, alongside the inclusion of components or features that allow for easier repair, customisation and adjustment. This promotes reuse and exposes more sustainable avenues beyond another purchase.

Traceability and transparency: Information about the sourcing, manufacturing process and the environmental impact of the garment helps customers understand the supply chain, make informed decisions and support ethical practices.

Ethical labour practices: Designers are increasingly focusing on fair labour conditions to combat exploitation and ensure all individuals involved in the production process are treated fairly, paid equitably and provided with safe working environments.

Diversity and Inclusivity: Fashion designers are recognising the importance of representing diverse perspectives, body types, mobility differences and cultural backgrounds in their designs. It promotes social acceptance, challenges stereotypes and instils style as difference-agnostic means of expression.

Consumer education and awareness: Fashion brands and designers play a pivotal role in educating consumers about social issues within the industry. This includes raising awareness about the impact of fast fashion, promoting sustainable and ethical consumption and encouraging mindful purchasing decisions that support social responsibility.

Collaboration and innovation: Collaboration with various stakeholders, including suppliers, manufacturers and consumers, helps foster innovation in sustainable practices. Multiple perspectives empowers all parties along the supply chain to optimise their contribution to the process.

Fashion design within a circular framework aims to challenge the traditional linear model of “take-make-dispose”. It’s about creating a fashion ecosystem where garments are valued, reused, and regenerated rather than being discarded after a short period of use.

2023 Good Design Award Best in Class and Gold Winners

Blak Design (Contemporary First Nations Jewellery)

Koorie Heritage Trust & Blak Design Program participants

Blak Design is the Koorie Heritage Trust’s annual professional development and mentoring program that provides support, training and opportunities to Indigenous creatives to foster First Nations innovation and entrepreneurship within the national design sector. It works to address the systemic barriers that have historically prevented many First Nations creatives from thriving within the national design sector.

The first two years of the program focused on contemporary jewellery, with participants engaging in a series of intensive mentored workshops presented at KHT and at the RMIT School of Art’s design studios. Alongside workshops designed to develop cultural storytelling and practical design skills, networking opportunities are also built into the program, further promoting the dissemination of First Nations artistry into the modern fashion sphere.

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Desserto Agave

Adrian Lopez Arriaga Lopez Velarde, Marte A. Cazarez Duarte, Adriando Di Marti & Desserto

Desserto Agave presents a plant-based alternative to leather derived from the by-products of Mexico’s thriving tequila industry. By reimagining fibres that would usually become waste materials during the creation of the national spirit, Adriano Di Marti offers a low-carbon and circular textile opportunity to the fashion industry.

The creation of the biomaterial begins after the cactus has matured for 6 to 7 years in the field. When harvested, only the piña bulb is used for tequila production, which leaves a significant amount of plant material to be up-cycled into the sustainable, leather-esque Desserto fibre.

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ModiCool™ Sleep Set

Charissa Lanham

Modibodi Product and Innovation Director, Charissa Lanham, designed a new bedtime staple that offers maximum comfort for night sweats. It’s made with innovative ModiCool™ fabrication technology, which regulates body temperature, cools skin before the first sign of sweat, absorbs sweat and dries quickly.

The product’s development was a thorough, 13-month process that ensured the fit and shape was body inclusive and for a wide range of ages. Consumer experiences and research was realised in a ModiBodi-designed fabric for maximum sweat relief and functionality to meet the brief. Research, testing and development of treatments and components was also conducted, from which the best treatments for temperature regulating purposes were applied.

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