What We Leave Behind

What We Leave Behind

Waste • Choice • Hope

Project Overview

What We Leave Behind is a community wearable art and sustainable fashion project that transforms recycled, reclaimed and repurposed materials into creative runway pieces and powerful stories. Bringing together children, young people, adults, artists, makers, community groups and sustainability champions, the project explores our relationship with waste, consumption and the future through creativity, design and collaboration.

The program launches during the September School Holidays with a series of workshops and creative development sessions running through to a public runway showcase in February.

Project Themes

Participants are invited to create wearable pieces inspired by one of the following themes:

🌿 Invisible Waste Made Visible: We notice what we usually ignore.

Explore hidden waste streams such as packaging, fast fashion, plastics and disposable products, bringing attention to the environmental impact of everyday consumption.

♻️ Consumerism vs Conscious Living: We question why we keep needing more.

Examine consumer culture, fast fashion, repair, reuse and the choices we make as individuals and communities.

🛠️ Built From What Remains: We create from what is left.

Transform discarded materials into innovative wearable designs that highlight creativity, resourcefulness and circular thinking.

✨ The Stories We Carry: We understand that everything we leave behind tells a story.

Explore personal, community and environmental stories through wearable art and fashion.

Entry Categories

🎨 Young Creators - Ages 8–12

For children exploring creativity, sustainability and wearable art.

🌟 Emerging Creators - Ages 13–16

For young people interested in design, fashion, storytelling and environmental awareness.

👗 Open Designer - Ages 17+

For artists, makers, designers, sustainability advocates and community members.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Community Collective

Schools, community groups, families, workplaces and organisations creating together.

Special Awards

🏆 Best Use of Recycled Materials

🌱 Sustainability Impact Award

✨ Best Storytelling Design

🧵 Craftsmanship Award

💡 Innovation Award

🌟 Future Designer Award

❤️ Community Spirit Award

👑 What We Leave Behind Award (Overall Winner)

🏅 People's Choice Award

Program Timeline

August – September - Project Launch & Recruitment

• Expressions of Interest open

• Team and facilitator recruitment

• Partner and sponsor engagement

• Material collection campaign

• Community information sessions

  
  

September School Holidays - Creative Discovery Workshops

Participants explore:

• Sustainable fashion

• Wearable art concepts

• Design thinking

• Theme development

• Material experimentation

  
  

October – November - Design Development

Participants refine their ideas through:

• Design workshops

• Making sessions

• Artist mentoring

• Construction and textile techniques

• Sustainability learning

  
  

December – January - Creation & Completion

Focused making sessions support participants to:

• Construct final pieces

• Experiment with materials

• Develop accessories

• Complete wearable artworks

  
  

January – February - Runway Preparation

• Photography and promotion

• Runway rehearsals

• Styling and presentation

• Event planning and production

February: WHAT WE LEAVE BEHIND

Community Wearable Art & Sustainable Fashion Showcase

Featuring:

🌿 Invisible Waste Made Visible

♻️ Consumerism vs Conscious Living

🛠️ Built From What Remains

✨ The Stories We Carry

Followed by:

• Awards Presentation

• Community Celebration

• Designer Recognition

• People's Choice Voting

What We Leave Behind: Waste is not the end of a story. It is the beginning of a new one. ♻️✨🌿