Residents at Regis Greenmount in Western Australia have seen their creativity take to the international stage, with a handmade dress they crafted from recycled materials showcased on the runway at Eco Fashion Week in Vancouver, Canada.
Over eight weeks, a group of residents met twice a week to design and create the garment from scratch. Together, they shaped every detail, choosing colours, creating patterns and sewing each piece before bringing the final design to life.
Inspired by Australia’s unique wildlife and cultural heritage, the group incorporated a goanna into the design, creating a distinctly Australian entry for the international event.
Materials were sourced from around the Home and the wider Regis community, including old bed sheets and fabric donated by employees and family members. Each element was repurposed as part of the design, giving new life to items that may otherwise have gone to waste.
Resident Ann, a former seamstress, played an important role in the project, sharing her experience while contributing to the design and construction of the garment.
“Creating this dress together showed us that fashion can be creative and sustainable,” Ann said. “We used what we had, shared ideas and made something we are all proud of.”
The dress was warmly received at Eco Fashion Week, with strong interest in both the design and the story behind it. The use of recycled materials and the fact the garment was created by residents resonated strongly with the audience.
At Regis Greenmount, projects like this give residents the opportunity to return to skills they’ve used throughout their lives, sharing that experience with others and continuing to create in a way that feels familiar and meaningful.
