Transform fashion waste into wearable art and parade it down a runway at Fast Fashun 2.0 2.0: a series of free interactive, educational fashion shows and upcycling sessions.

Local artists Teneille Clerke, of Tenfingerz Productions, and Famous Artist (also known as Sebastian Berto) are bringing Fast Fashun 2.0 2.0 to an old textiles factory in Collingwood.

Participants are invited to breathe new life into salvaged fashion waste, with the help of local costume, fashion and art makers. 

“We encourage people who come to our runway shows to make something new that they love, and parade it down the runway,” said Teneille, who worked in the fashion industry for years before founding Tenfingerz.

“Some people haven’t been on stage or made their own clothing before and we want to show how fun and empowering it can be."

Fast Fashion 2.0 2.0 takes a tonne of clothing, rescued with the help of Helping Hands op shop, which participants can reinvent with the help of local costume, fashion and art makers.

“For us, upcycling is looking at what is sitting there as trash and reimagining what that could be, and how we could be reusing it,” said Sebastian, who facilitates the interactive art-making sessions.

“Working with discarded clothing, otherwise destined for landfill, means it's really easy to find materials, and it’s not so intimidating to play with them,” he said.

“If you're working with something really fancy, or new, you’re more likely to worry about screwing it up.”

Fast Fashun 2.0 2.0 is supported by Yarra's Arts and Culture Annual Grants program, and is part of the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival.

FAST FASHUN 2.0 2.0

Friday 28 February to Saturday 14 March

Rummage through free, pre-loved clothing piles and learn how to upcycle fashion waste with help from local costume, fashion and art makers. Join a runway show or just be a spectator and watch the fashion art unfold.

Schoolhouse Studios, 81 Rupert Street, Collingwood

Exhibition open: Monday to Friday 10am to 2pm.

Interactive art making and hourly runway shows: Saturday 7 and 14 March, 11am to 6pm. Runway shows every hour on the hour.

Low-sensory quiet crafting day: Sunday 8 March 12pm to 4pm.