Kaleido-cloth

The Social Outfit is a leader in ethical fashion in Australia with a 100% ethical accreditation from Ethical Clothing Australia. As a registered social enterprise, their business model puts people first and product second as they provide ongoing training opportunities to members of our refugee and new migrant community.

The Kaleido-cloth collection is a joyful and exuberant fashion project celebrating the rich threads of creativity within Sydney’s multicultural community. As design director for this project, I facilitated collaborations with several artists, designers and organisations to develop a collection of artworks and products that represent a hopeful Australian spirit. Working closely with the production team in Sydney, I developed a range of garments that were versatile, able to be produced on a simple, made-to-order scale and utilised an array of donated industry offcuts the organisation receives.

Kaleido-cloth comprises three key elements – patchwork, print and partnership. The focus of this project was the healing and humanising outcomes of shared artistic practice – patchworking, weaving and collage – both in the process of making and in communicating a social narrative.