Nostalgia fuels Luisa’s upcycled display in heart of Melbourne

“To be lucky enough to showcase my work in a public space, knowing that I’ve put so much of my heart and soul into every design decision, is all I can ask for as an emerging designer. This is every young designer’s dream.”

One of Melbourne’s most nostalgic shopping precincts dating back to the 1950s, Campbell Arcade is the perfect location for Ms Marrollo’s creations which tell the story of her family.

“I have chosen to build upon my graduate collection from 2020, inspired by the story of my family, and brought to life through the upcycling of sentimental fabrics and hand embellished textiles,” said Ms Marollo, who is showcasing numerous designs at the exhibition.

“I have focused on using my grandmother’s hand embroidered pillowcases. It was her 90th birthday this year and since we were unable to celebrate with her, I am honouring her through this capsule collection.”

A firm advocate for sustainable fashion, Ms Marrollo currently works as a production assistant for the Future from Waste LAB, a collaborative project with select Australian fashion brands and textile recycling facility UPPAREL.

“The project challenges designers to use a circular approach to re-invent textiles that were once destined for landfill. As a passionate up-cycler myself, this is the kind of work that I respect, support and enjoy,” she said.

Ms Marrollo said studying the Advanced Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Merchandising at Kangan Institute provided her with a strong foundation to succeed as a designer.

“I am grateful for all that I have learned and experienced at Kangan. Through these experiences and opportunities, I feel so well equipped to continue designing and creating using a vast array of skills,” she said.

“I would like to acknowledge the teachers at Kangan; they are incredibly supportive of me and my ongoing journey as a designer.”

Fashion design lead educator Vicki Nicola said programs at Kangan Institute provide students with more than skills and technical knowledge, with industry exposure and connections a key focus.

“It’s about creating opportunities for our students to not only test their skills, but to also showcase their potential to industry. We do this through fashion shows, collaborative projects, industry competitions, site visits and guest speakers. These are all important platforms for our students to gain experience and future career opportunities,” said Ms Nicola.

“It was fantastic to hear that Luisa was discovered through her graduate collection at Kangan Institute and we’re so proud of her for featuring at this year’s Melbourne Fashion Week.

“Her passion for sustainable fashion aligns closely with our fashion design philosophy and education here at Kangan Institute, and we hope it serves as an inspiration for all who come across her display.”

Fashion Capsule 7 – Campbell’s Arcade is on display till 16 November and also features work from Alexandra Blak, Collective Closets, Emél, HEW Clothing, Made By, Phaedra, Radical Yes, Srinvanti Roy and Togetherness.

Kangan Institute fashion students will also showcase their work at the Student Collections Runway on 19 November at the MCG underground carpark.

Find out more about Melbourne Fashion Week here or learn more about Kangan Institute’s fashion courses here.