Geelong designer Emily Rastas to host upcycling fashion workshops

In a bid to reduce clothing wastage, a local designer will combine creativity and sustainability as part of an upcycling fashion course.

In a bid to reduce clothing wastage, a local designer will combine creativity and sustainability as part of an upcycling fashion course.

Geelong arts organisation Bluebird House is hosting Upcycled Fashion workshops for kids aged 13 to 18, led by Emily Rastas.

During the seven-week course, students will learn to breathe new life into their old clothing in a bid to reduce wastage.

They will upgrade their garments using applique, embroidery and paint.

Rastas, who creates apparel, wearable art and paintings, is passionate about sustainable fashion after seeing the amount of waste she produced as a designer.

“I’ve worked in a few different areas of fashion and I realised how much waste I was creating,” she said.

“It led me to reflect on that and try to create as little waste as possible.”

To make her designs, Rastas uses fabrics from op shops and second hand stores.

She said it was important to teach younger generations about the importance of sustainable fashion.

“I’m 28-years old and when I was growing up, fast fashion was around but not as much as it is today,” she said.

“It’s all over social media.

“I think it is so important to teach them the skills to lengthen the life of their clothing.”

Geelong fashion designer Emily Rastas is holding upcycling fashion classes. Picture: Alan Barber

Rastas is also planning to host adult upcycling fashion workshops in the coming months.

The seven week course will be held at Bluebird House in South Geelong.

The proceeds from the workshop supports the Bluebird Foundation’s community programs.

It will run on Monday evenings from 4.30pm to 6pm, commencing February 5.

To enrol, head to bluebirdfoundationinc.org.au/workshops.

Originally published as Geelong designer Emily Rastas to host upcycling fashion workshops