Everything you need to know about Clothing The Loop, Canberra’s newest fashion event

Posted on 29 September, 2025

Fashion lovers rejoice – a new event is launching in Canberra to help elevate the city’s sustainable fashion scene, and we have the scoop on what’s happening.

Changing everything you thought you knew about the fashion industry (both in and out of the bush capital), Clothing The Loop is a day-to-night sustainable fashion festival –the ultimate collision of fashion, art, design and activism.

And while it might not be as big as the fashion festivals in Sydney and Melbourne (yet),  with a packed program boasting everything from industry talks to a local designer fashion parade, it promises to be the perfect event for Canberra fashion lovers looking for both education and inspiration.

Here’s everything you need to know about Clothing The Loop!

What is it?

Presented by local change makers Australian Dance Party and sustainable designer Kelli Donovan, Clothing The Loop is all about bringing a fresh perspective and a new energy to Canberra’s fashion scene while highlighting the importance of circular textiles in the ACT community.

Celebrating the work of local designers, advocates, community groups, artists and government agencies who are working together to build a more circular fashion economy, the event aims to empower attendees with the tools to make conscious fashion choices to help reduce the impacts of climate change.

With a mix of free and paid sessions, the day-to-night festival will feature everything from a giant clothes swap to performances addressing the growing fast fashion and waste crisis.

And with Australians reported as the biggest consumers of new fashion on average in the world, purchasing 56 new garments per year per person, it’s a good excuse to indulge your passion for fashion while learning about what you can do to make a change to your consumption habits.

When and where?

Put Saturday 18 October in your diary and be prepared to see The Vault at Dairy Road transformed into a vibrant, sustainable fashion precinct. The event runs from 10 am until 10 pm.

What’s happening?

All about propelling sustainable Australian fashion to the forefront of conservation, you’ll be busy and booked all day.

From a mini market featuring local designers (including Saloon, NICO, Keli Studio, Wasted and Green Shed Upcycled) to sewing and textile art workshops – including basic sewing skills and how to upcycle your clothing – the morning session is jam-packed with things to do.

There will also be a performance from The Chameleon Collective, and it’s worth noting that clothing collection for the giant clothes swap will be open from 10 am, so make sure to take the time to donate some of your preloved goodies!

For those looking for something to do in the afternoon, from 1.30 pm, the panel discussion Waste Not! Want Less will see special guest speakers take to the stage to talk about fashion waste and movements towards sustainable practices.

Following the in-depth conversation, the clothes swap will run from 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm. Featuring a styling workshop with Nina Gbor (EcoStyles), you’ll be able to find some new feature wardrobe pieces, all while saving the planet!

Finally, as the sun goes down, the fun will go up with a paid evening session from 7.30 pm – 10 pm. Along with listening to more informative talks from Senator David Pocock, Nina Gbor (EcoStyles), Alison Plevey (Australian Dance Party), and Kelli Donovan (KELI Studios), you’ll also get the chance to see the fashion parade and performances from Australian Dance Party artists before the event ends on the dance floor with a DJ spinning tunes until 10.30 pm.

Make sure to check out the full program for the details so you can plan ahead!

What’s the designer line-up?

Expect to see seriously exciting local names take to the runway. Think: MAAK (Charne Esterehuizen), Wasted (Fifi Hopkins), Edition (Alice Sutton), Saloon Design House (Dena), The Green Shed Upcycled, KELI Studios (Kelli Donovan), SZN (Suzan Dloughy), Harry’s Clarry (Clarrissa Fugill Shateri) and Corella & Crow (Rechelle Turner and Megan Daley).

Showcasing their amazing designs, make sure to grab yourself a ticket so you don’t miss out.

Will there be anything to eat and drink?

What’s a festival without the food? Dairy Road is home to some amazing options, so  stick around for dinner for a delicious finish to the day. From Japanese cuisine at Canteen by Ramen Daddy to locally brewed burgers at Capital Brewing and Brodburger and sips and snacks at Contentious Character, there’s plenty to choose from.

For those who book the evening session, the Vault bar will also be open for drinks!

What else do I need to know?

That pretty much sums it up! But it’s worth nothing while the daytime activities are free at Clothing The Loop, the Craft + Design Canberra workshops require a paid ticket.

There’s also plenty of free parking in the area (here’s a Google Maps link of the venue), with six dedicated parking areas labelled P1 – P6. If you are visiting a particular business at Dairy Road, use this map to see which parking area is best for you. You can also cycle into the event, and for those catching public transport, Dairy Road is a five-minute walk from the 56 bus stop on Newcastle Street and a 15-minute walk from the R2 bus stop on Ipswich Street.

Breaking new ground with a unique fashion event that hasn’t been seen before in Canberra, Clothing The Loop might just be the boost our small but mighty fashion scene needs.

Feature image: Creswick Collective.