Stitch Don’t Ditch: Sobering waste stats inspires upcycling clothing competition

Appalled by the amount of fast fashion making its way into landfill, a fashion competition is looking to lead by example and inspire people to “upcycle” their old clothes into the new.

A novel fashion competition aiming to encourage “upcycling” of old clothes has tapped into a growing sustainability trend and received an “amazing” welcome in Melbourne’s west.

Stitch Don’t Ditch organiser Heather Marcus said the competition was opened up to designers and amateurs across Australia this year, praising the “exceptional” quality of works.

The Fashion Awards Australia director was moved to launch the competition after becoming concerned about the impact of fast fashion.

“Australia is the second worst in the world for clothes being sent to landfill,” she said.

“It’s so bad, I just felt like I needed to do something about the waste and I think we can look to the fashion world to lead by example.”

About 100 people submitted clothes to the second annual Stitch Don’t Ditch competition, with entrants required to produce new pieces using three old items sourced from op shops or their closet.

“During the pandemic we saw more and more people getting into crafts,” Ms Marcus said.

Stitch Don't Ditch 2022 Race Wear category winner Sia Zacharis with organiser Heather Marcus. Picture: Wyndham City.

“I think the competition is a great way to channel that creativity while also sharing an important message about a better way.”

Racewear category winner Sia Zacharis said she used five items of clothing sourced from op shops to produce her gown.

“I thought it was a fantastic opportunity to get creative and really think about all the clothes we have in our wardrobes,” she said.

“To create in a different way than buying metres of fabric was an exciting new challenge.”

Ms Marcus said the Stitch Don’t Ditch competition will return in 2023 and organisers were already looking at ways to expand the challenge and get more people involved.

Some of the award-winning pieces are on display at the Manor Lakes Shopping Centre until September 18.