Clothing The Loop is back: here’s what we know about the circular design festival

Posted on 14 August, 2026

A glamorous evening of sustainable fashion, contemporary dance, live music and immersive design. Clothing The Loop is back for 2026.

Across one vibrant weekend in November, Clothing The Loop will once again bring together the community for an unforgettable celebration of circular design. Following the success of last year’s debut– which saw a vibrant collision of fashion, art, design and activism – the 2026 event is expected to be even bigger and better.

Here’s everything we know so far about Clothing The Loop 2026. Get excited, it’s looking like a major event in Canberra’s event calendar.

What is it?

Presented in collaboration by Australian Dance Party, sustainable fashion pioneer Kelli Donovan, and the Canberra Institute of Technology, Clothing The Loop brings a fresh perspective and a new energy to Canberra’s arts scene while highlighting the importance of circular textiles in the ACT community.  Running alongside the Design Canberra Festival, it will be a jam-packed weekend celebrating fashion, design and the performing arts.

The celebration will unfold across two days – opening with a spectacular evening event before returning the next day for a full program of activities that brings together local and international designers, stallholders, advocates, community groups, artists and government agencies. A creative collision, it will intersect dance, performance, and fashion and highlighting the work the community does to build a more circular arts industry.

Clothing The Loop aims to empower attendees with the tools to make conscious choices to help reduce the impacts of climate change. In short, it’s so much more than a festival; it’s an invitation to be a part of a rebellion against waste, and to build a future of creative care.

When and where?

Clothing The Loop launches on the opening weekend of the Design Canberra Festival – make sure you block out Friday 6 and Saturday 7 November in your calendar.

The event, starting with a glamorous evening of sustainable runway fashion on Friday, with activities continuing Saturday, when the CIT Woden Campus will transform into a festival hub focused on the future of design.

The full program of events is coming soon.

What’s happening?

Fashion parades, thought-provoking conversations, inspiring performances, workshops, installations, a clothes swap, architecture tours that harness the power of sustainable thinking, and more.

From panel talks to the Great Global Mend, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to learn how to make mindful clothing choices and community connection.

Friday 6 November

Watch the worlds of sustainable runway fashion, contemporary dance, live music, and immersive design collide in an unforgettable evening.

Offering attendees the chance to discover visionary collections from leading local and national designers, you’ll explore captivating installations and creative stalls, as well as hear from inspiring change makers. The evening will also feature special dance performances from the Australian Dance Party, shining a spotlight on the intricacies of dance and design.

Upgrade to the VIP experience for intimate opportunities to meet the designers and learn about the sustainable stories behind their work, and finish the evening dancing the night away.

Saturday 7 November

Set aside the whole day – you’ll need it.

Along with the opportunity to dive into artist and designer-led workshops, you’ll be able to explore interactive installations and fashion displays, and enjoy panel conversations with industry leaders across fashion, interiors and live performance.

There will also be a clothes swap so you can refresh your wardrobe sustainably, Auslan-interpreted talks, a sensory tour of the CIT Campus, family ‘re-making’ activities and a chill-out zone – there’s something for everyone.

What’s the designer line-up?

For those interested in being involved in Clothing The Loop, the event EOI is currently still open with a few spots left,  calling for sustainable and circular fashion designers to join the parade on Friday 6 November.

The event is seeking people to showcase their sustainable or circular fashion alongside some of Australia’s celebrated change-makers. For your chance to be involved, complete the EOI form by Monday 31 August.

Last year saw some seriously exciting local names take to the runway, so make sure to grab a ticket so you don’t miss out.

How do I get involved?

Clothing The Loop is looking for event partners who champion sustainable practices as well as for 20 stallholders to sell their products across Friday and Saturday. With applications closing on Monday 31 August, you’ll want to be fast.

Also calling for volunteers to help in various roles that range from checking tickets to walking the runway, check the Clothing the Loop website for more information. Looking for another way to contribute? They also need event sponsors. Helping to support local creative industries by bringing this issue to the forefront in the Canberra region, it’s a powerful way to show that elegance doesn’t have to equal emissions.

Photography: Ghetto Media.