Conscious Consumption Meets Fashion for Recycling Week
Local sustainable fashion designer Fiona Clements, also known as Senorita AweSUMO, will present a showcase of garments
handcrafted by students as solutions to the global problem of mounting waste, in a fashion show and presentation at the
Otago Museum on Saturday 15 November.
After realising how much waste was created by commercial fashion production, Clements felt it was time to take control
of the situation and start providing solutions. Seeing this as an opportunity to tackle a global problem, she developed
her ethos: reducing waste without compromising style. Clements continues to upcycle garments tossed aside by society in
an effort to minimise the impact on the environment from disposable consumer items, while creating beautiful and unique
fashion pieces.
Prior to the showcase at the Otago Museum, Clements will work with local textile students to create eco-couture that
will showcase alongside some of her own garments.
“I want to provide an option for people to make environmentally friendly choices when it comes to fashion. I’m a local
girl, so both the cause and the community are close to my heart,” says Clements.
A special screening of the multi-award winning 2010 film Bag It: Is Your Life Too Plastic? will be shown following the
presentation. The American documentary exposes the devastating effects plastics bags have on ecosystems and the marine
environment, and includes disturbing scientific discoveries – fragments of plastic were found to outnumber plankton
60-to-1.
“We are looking forward to working with Fiona to offer our community practical ways to be conscious consumers,” says
Helen Horner, Director, Visitor Interaction and Programmes. “By using fashion design as the context, we hope the message
will be received by a wide audience. And as an added bonus, visitors will be treated to a stellar fashion show!”
The presentation starts at 2pm and the film screening begins at 3pm. Both events are free.
ends