Waipā residents will soon have the opportunity to learn how to create high fashion looks using recycled materials at the Te Awamutu Museum.
Three “Make Do and Mend” workshops will be held by upcycle fashion designer and owner of Taupō Alerations, Connie Takarangi in collaboration with the museum, to show residents how to reduce, reuse, repurpose and recreate a range of new items.
Takarangi, who mainly works with fabric and trims sourced through secondhand shops, said the workshops connect to a World War II theme of making do with what you have available.
“In this time of great change, people are looking for something unique, repurposing pre-loved everyday items of clothing is great for our environment and challenges you to be creative with those bits and bobs you may have at home,” she said.
“At these workshops everyone will make something unique, taking inspiration from the Fashion Fridays exhibition on show in the Museum.”
The workshop topics and dates are:
- Fascinators and hats, Monday 18 January
- Brooches and cuffs, Tuesday 19 January
- Fascinators and hats, Wednesday 20th January
Te Awamutu Museum exhibitions coordinator Henriata Nicholas said this type of eco-fashion has really taken off as a cost-effective way of creating new fashion trends.
“In Aotearoa New Zealand it is estimated that 100million kilos of textile waste is dumped each year (Revell, 2018). These workshops will teach you how easy it is to start looking at textile waste as potential resources for new fashion items.”
Learn more about the upcoming workshops at the Te Awamutu Facebook page or by visiting www.tamuseum.org.nz/events/. Book your spot by contacting the museum on 07 872 0085 or museum@waipadc.govt.nz.
