Australian fashion designer, Tess Whitfort, is the first and only Australian to become a finalist in the International Redress Award 2018.
Aside from being part of the worldwide contest, Tess also won the 2017 Student Designer Award at Melbourne Fashion Week.
And to top it off, she is the first and only Australian to ever been selected as a finalist in the awards before! #AustralianPride
Her collection was inspired by a variety of subcultures and the way people express themselves through the clothing they choose. Tess has always been a fan of up-cycling and zero-waste to industry end-of-rolls. This served as her edge in her androgynous collection using eco-friendly inks and paints.
Because of her shortlisting, Tess will have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to present her sustainable collection at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s Hong Kong’s Fashion Week, CENTRESTAGE. Not only that, but she will embark on an all-expenses-paid educational trip to Hong Kong to have her designs shot by prominent photographers styled by influential artists.
For Tess, being selected as a finalist for the Redress Design Award has been incredibly exciting and surreal. She has learned a lot about the practices of sustainability and her skills in designing have improved considerably. She’s honoured to represent the country and promote sustainable practice within the fashion industry.