UTS Showcases the Future of Australian Fashion at 2023 Honours Graduate Showcase - University of Technology Sydney

20 Nov 2023 10:05 PM

 

MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, 20^th November at 10PM

 

UTS Showcases the Future of Australian Fashion

at 2023 Honours Graduate Showcase

 

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – Ten fresh faced designers representing the next generation of Australia’s finest fashion talent took to the runway tonight in front of over 240 industry, media and VIP at the 2023 UTS Fashion Honours Graduate Showcase held at UTS in Ultimo. 

 

Amongst the bold and adventurous designs students explored the potential of artificial intelligence and AI creative algorithms in the fashion design practise, trans women’s experiences of their own bodies, familial cultural practises in post-multiculturalist Australia, the absurdity of found objects incorporating chairs and sofas found on the street into their designs, and soft huggable shapes that you can wear.

 

Each designer developed a collection of 6 looks during their Bachelor of Fashion and Textiles Design Honours program, working in partnership with local and international industry leaders including historic textile house Liberty London, Kullu Karishma - an artisanal weaving company in the foothills of the Himalayas, and local industry leader Calcoup knitwear. 

 

The anticipated annual runway event provides a unique platform for emerging designers to showcase their talent whilst also providing an opportunity for connection with industry, media and local and international brands. In attendance were acclaimed Australian designers Akira Isogawa, Alix Higgins, Luke Sales and Anna Plunkett of Romance Was Born, Jordan Gogos, and representatives from Zimmermann, Camilla and Marc, SABA, Sass + Bide, Cue, Sportscraft, Woolmark and the Australian Fashion Council.

 

UTS Fashion and Textiles Course Director Alyssa Choat said, “After a long time of remoteness, this opportunity to come together and recognise the work of these students is so very important. This showcase is shaped by the core values of our program - a positive envisioning of the future; core ethical concerns with how we engage with the materiality of fashion; and a recognition of the ways fashion and dress is embedded within the very fabric our culture. The work of these students is founded on rich experimentation, iteration, and research, cutting through personal and cultural histories, the work is as diverse as the designers themselves, focused on change and upheaval of some long-held fashion systems. We are delighted to have such a strong representation from this year’s Honours Graduates and anticipate many future achievements amongst this graduating year.

 

The UTS Honours Graduate program has given Australian designers their start both here and abroad, with Alumni including loved Australian designers Bec+Bridge, Alix Higgins both graduates, and within local and international fashion houses such as PE Nation, Isabel Marant and Kenzo. 

 

Broadcast resolution video footage - rough edit of runway ready for download - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yIr8FpdteCMojahaP2LkPMScZyac6Tsd/view?usp=sharing 

Hi-res runway imagery available, image credit: UTS

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1iU5sFfhb1q9ZbEFYDZHpuimPN9Ri3BLz?usp=sharing

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