Kangan Institute presents Fashion Devotion

The future of the local fashion and millinery industry is set to showcase more than 60 looks at Kangan Institute’s upcoming runway show, Fashion Devotion.

Brought to Melbourne as part of Melbourne Fashion Week, Fashion Devotion will draw on themes of ancient worlds and feature timeless outfits across six segments.

This includes the highly anticipated RECLAIMED LOVE segment featuring an upcycled collection from Kangan Institute’s long-running circular fashion program delivered in collaboration with Red Cross Shops.

The program challenges students to create new designs using donated garments and materials from Red Cross Shops, with students encouraged to rethink how and where materials are sourced and explore creative ways to transform pre-loved garments into runway looks.

Materials are selected by students directly at Red Cross Shops’ warehouse or through the Red Cross Room at Kangan Institute’s Cremorne campus, a space designated for leftover garments and fabric sourced from Red Cross Shops.

Poised to present three garments at Fashion Devotion, student Aaron Costa said his designs were made by reconstructing an oilskin jacket from Red Cross Shops alongside other second-hand garments.   

“One of the pieces is a men’s suit jacket; it combines an old men’s woollen suit from an op shop and an oilskin jacket from the Red Cross room on campus,” he said.

“Beyond that, the second piece is a reversible vest re-constructed from the oilskin jacket and a pair of pants; I tried to get the most out of the garment that I could.”

His third look – a pair of pants – was made through a technique called zero-waste patternmaking which involves designing and pattern making at the same time using leftover fabric donated to Kangan Institute by Red Cross Shops and local fashion businesses.

“No fabric is wasted or unnecessarily cut out; it all goes in,” Mr Costa said.

“Sustainability is starting to become more necessary and implementing sustainable design is important for our future. We can’t continue with the practices we’ve always had.”

Another stand-out feature in Mr Costa’s design is embroidery.

“I explored hand embroidery in my designs – another aspect that the project pushed. I never would have done it otherwise but I’m happy with the result. It worked out pretty well,” he said.

Fashion Devotion will also feature the works of students pursuing VET Delivered to Secondary Students (VETDSS) programs, as well as skirt, dress and personal protective equipment (PPE) projects completed by Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Merchandising students.

The line-up also includes an exclusive Signature Collections segment showcasing works by recent graduates from the Advanced Diploma of Fashion Design and Merchandising.

The talents of Kangan Institute’s hospitality students will also be on display as caterers for the night.

Kangan Institute CEO Sally Curtain said the show displays the passion and dedication of students and recent graduates.

“Fashion Devotion celebrates the talent and creativity of our fashion, millinery, hair and beauty students who have worked hard over the past year to refine their skills and expertise,” Ms Curtain said.

“Our creative students and educators have come together with our hospitality team to bring you a show-stopping night; it’s an event for fashion lovers, trendsetters, industry, family and friends, and it’s not to be missed.”

Kangan Institute will also feature in Melbourne Fashion Week’s Make it Melbourne talk (featuring Kangan Institute fashion and millinery lead educator Vicki Nicola) and Student Collections Runway (featuring Kangan Institute student Aaron Costa).

Fashion Devotion will be held on Tuesday 11 October 2022, 6-9pm at Melbourne Pavilion. For ticketing details visit https://events.kangan.edu.au/FashionDevotion

Media are welcome to attend a photo opportunity – please contact mediaenquiries@kangan.edu.au