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Recent research from eBay showed 45% of Australians have increased their purchases of pre-loved fashion. Has the cost-of-living pressure changed how we shop for clothes or, are sustainable fashion considerations contributing to a more socially conscious consumer?

In an interview on the Drive with Jacqui Felgate on 3AW, Holmesglen’s Bachelor of Fashion Design, Course Director Kate Medved shared her thoughts on the increasing preference for pre-loved fashion in Australia.

Sustainable fashion is a focus of both industry and consumer alike, as customers make informed buying choices and fashion design professionals strive to make a positive impact on the environment.

“We’ve all heard the Net-Zero conversation and it’s really becoming a big bold thing in fashion. Fast fashion especially, is known to be quite a polluter and people are becoming more educated in that space. With that comes a change in buying behaviour, and people reconsidering what they are purchasing and what it means to the environment.”

Kate observed that shoppers were choosing to be more discerning in their spending habits, buying less but buying quality and despite the price not flocking to fast fashion.

Fashion retail reports are showing an upturn in sales in the high to luxury market indicating that buyers are being thoughtful about their purchases and purchasing quality pieces with longevity. She added how important it is to be leading fashion learners with the right voice and the difference it makes to the industry as a whole.

“Part of being an educator is starting the right conversations to really educate them, to go out with a conscience and a value system that is bigger than just fast fashion. Really understanding the impact of fashion and how we live on the environment doesn’t just start at tertiary education, it starts much earlier. Our [fashion] degree is set with this focus in mind where design intent and innovation lead the production process in product outcomes.”

Kate said, elaborating on how Holmesglen is poised to leverage sustainable fashion in the fashion course delivery, with Bachelor of Fashion Design learners being encouraged to explore different forms of responsible fashion through upcycling and repurposing.

“This shift in mindset has led to a different type of learner coming through to study fashion courses, with more students expressing their desire to create brands with a conscience. Students are motivated by their values and want to design clothes that are made of preloved material or redesigning old garments.”

The fashion department’s enthusiasm for sustainable design underscores Holmesglen’s strategic goals of being environmentally sustainable and future ready. While prioritising sustainability as an organisation, Kate highlighted that Holmesglen has successfully innovated teaching and learning methods to meet the future demands of the fashion industry.

Discover what you can achieve with a fashion course at Holmesglen.