Adelaide designer, Stephanie Chehade is making her mark in the slow fashion industry

An Adelaide designer has committed to making fashion with recycled and natural fibres – and her garments are made locally.

Is the fashion for fast clothes running out of steam?

After learning about the effects the fashion industry has on the environment, Stephanie Chehade was committed to producing her self-named brand sustainably.

Made with natural fibres and leftover material, the clothes which Miss Chehade creates are “wardrobe essentials” for women, available online and at her new city pop-up store on Rundle St.

The decision to produce smaller quantities, locally, was inspired by Miss Chehade’s commitment to reducing textile waste.

Stephanie Chehade sources fabric sourced from “deadstock” materials and makes all her garments in Adelaide. Picture: Dean Martin

“You hear more about the impact that fast fashion has and it’s our duty as citizens of the world to do what we can, where we can,” Miss Chehade said.

“Slow fashion”, a term coined by design activist Kate Fletcher, emphasises quality pieces, slower production methods and investing in well-made clothes that last decades.

It also refers to brands which do not exploit their workers or employ manufacturers that do.

“Having my clothing Australian made means I know that the manufacturer is not using child labour or fostering bad working condition or anything like that,” Miss Chehade said.

The response from customers has been positive.

“They can see the craftsmanship involved and it’s very different to the fast fashion item,” Miss Chehade said, “(Fast fashion items) don’t last either. One or two washes and they’ve fallen apart.”

Stephanie Chehade isn’t the only local brand doing its part to contribute to slow fashion.

Adelaide Hill’s brand Good Studios was founded on ethical values and embraces sustainability, as does Adelaide brand Autark, which is found online.