SLOW Fashion Festival, which began as a concept between three eco-minded friends after the success of a conscious event organised for Fashion Revolution Day, is quickly turning into the talk of Adelaide town.
SLOW is a curation of eco fashion and is a celebration of ethical, conscious living. The women behind the event, Natalie Ivanov of RE-SWIM Club, Anny Duff of Good Studios and Emily Sheahan of SWOP Clothing Exchange, have worked tirelessly to bring the sustainable fashion festival together. It seems their commitment and efforts have paid off – the Slow Fashion Festival has been listed in the Adelaide Fashion Festival (AFF) Program.
“I think our overall goal is to eliminate the line between ‘fashion’ and ‘sustainable fashion’,” cofounder Natalie Ivanov explains. “Why are they just not the same thing? In this day and age, with all the knowledge we have, with all the resources we have – why is all fashion not sustainable? So we are trying to prove that ‘sustainable’ is just fashion but it has a conscience.”
Independently-run AKA no funding received from AFF, a swarm of Adelaide talent and local businesses have graciously offered their time and services including event sponsors local wine makers Jauma Wines, Rin, Azelia and Powell Model agencies and Mondays Coffee and Small World Bakery.
“We are surrounded by wonderful people and talent,” acknowledged Natalie. “We have had a hoard of people jumping on board with SLOW in the shape of vendors, wine sponsors, makers of beautiful things, music makers, photographers, modelling agencies, Adelaide local faces… and they’re all lending their time for free.”
Organising a sustainable fashion event is a huge undertaking, but it can also have a substantial environmental impact. How is the team reducing it’s eco footprint? “So far all coordination for the event has been done via face-to-face, emails and calls,” explains Natalie. “Promotion is 60 percent online, 35 percent word-of-mouth and 5 percent print (which is beautifully printed on recycled paper and hopefully a keepsake).”
“We are creating a booklet for the launch, which has details of absolutely everything, everyone involved and more – all available as a free PDF download. The venue Chateau Apollo is recently re-opened Adelaide building which has sat closed and unused for sometime now. The market place is situated in the CBD so hopefully encouraging the use of buses, bikes or walking! Lastly absolutely everything available for purchase at the market is sustainable and definitely wrapped in paper not plastic.”
The SLOW Fashion Festival 2017 launches on 8th of October and runs through until the 15th. Thinking of attending? Here’s what you can expect:
SLOW Fashion Festival Program
S L O W// MARKETPLACE
An ethical and sustainable marketplace featuring an array of local and interstate independent labels stocking consciously designed and produced fashion and lifestyle goods. It will be held at 94 Gilles Street Adelaide and will run for the duration of the event Oct 8-15.
S L O W// PRESENTATION
This presentation will be held in the Chateau Apollo on the Saturday evening (Oct 7) and will bring together a group of Adelaide talent and around 150 guests to get people inspired towards ethical and sustainable living. There’s limited seating so make sure to book your tickets here.
S L O W// SLOW TALKERS
Held on two separate afternoons, Oct 8 and 15, SLOW TALKERS is a series of moderated discussions around conscious lifestyle choices. Featuring representatives from leading sustainable fashion organisations such as Good on You and Fashion Revolution, SLOW TALKERS will explore sustainable fashion from an industry and personal perspective with the aim of encouraging open conversations about sustainability and promoting conscious lifestyle choices. These events will be held at 94 Gilles Street Adelaide and are free.
Want to support SLOW Fashion Festival team? Make sure to follow them on Instagram.
