Salvaged: Rescued and rethought fashion comes to FASHFEST

Posted on 22 August, 2017

The first time I met stylist Faye de Lanty was in the Salvos store in Phillip where she was showing a rapt audience how to style the perfect faux Chanel blazer.

Faye, a passionate advocate of sustainable and up-cycled fashion, was in town to share her tips for how to get the most out of op-shopping, as well as how to turn an old, tired garment into something fresh and new.

Given this passion for (pre-loved) fashion it’s no wonder Faye is an ambassador for Salvos nationwide and has been a huge part of the Salvos’ new Street Boutiques, which are located within existing Salvos stores (like the one in Phillip) and showcase a curated collection of high-end labels at accessible prices.

This September, Faye will be bringing her impeccable eye to the FASHFEST 2017 catwalk when her curated collection for Salvos—aptly named Salvaged—premieres at the closing night of FASHFEST on Saturday 30 September.

Faye De Lanty

“This was something we’ve been brewing for a while [because] I’d been dreaming about being part of FASHFEST,” says Faye. “What we’re doing is so different to what everyone else will be doing because we’re not designers, we’re an op-shop!”

So what exactly does a Salvos catwalk look like?

“What we’ve done is commission designers who have a really great up-cycling core to their ethos and brand,” explains Faye. “Each designer is creating something that fits our brief and our vision for the show—sourced entirely from [Salvos] stores.”

Faye explains that each designer will bring their unique aesthetic to the show, creating a truly awesome showcase of how ‘salvaging’ pre-loved clothes can be rewarding in more ways than one.

“The concept [is] of finding and breathing new life into something that was once forgotten,” says Faye. “The designers we have on-board so far are unreal—they’re so different to each other and they have a great story to tell.

“We’re building a FASHFEST team to spread the message of up-cycling and sustainability and how that never ever has to mean that you’re sacrificing style.”

Faye’s stable of designers hail from all across the country and she says it’s been wonderful to be part of their creative process.

“What we did was take designers around Salvos stores as they sourced what was resonating with them,” she explains. “For example, we have Lenka Couture on board—she’s Australia’s first ethically accredited bridal designer—and she’s going to make us a custom gown from materials sourced from Salvos.”

“Each designer is sticking to their aesthetic but they’re utilising materials that are already in existence.”

Faye’s recent styling, inspired by the August edition of Vogue.

All up, Faye expects up to eight designers’ creations to take the FASHFEST catwalk for Salvaged. She also adds that they’re also not limiting themselves to up-cycling clothing alone, and explains that she’s currently looking into how they could even turn waste from the Salvos warehouses (such as cardboard) into runway-ready fashion.

Faye’s recent styling, inspired by current season 2017 Dior.

But that doesn’t mean that attendees should expect a hodgepodge of styles and colours. In fact, they should anticipate the opposite.

“We’re very clear on the palette,” Faye explains. “We’re sticking to particular tones and it’s all very thought out, it’s beautifully styled and has progression—like a normal designer’s collection would. It’s very modern and very chic.”

Faye is also participating in a FASHFEST event being held at the Actsmart Business Sustainability Expo on 7 September, Southern Cross Club Woden. CIT fashion students participating in FASHFEST have headed into Salvos, Fyshwick warehouse, to source garments they’ll use to create high-end fashion items for the Expo. The show the designs will be judged by Faye, Freddy Choo from Salvos and Canberra’s eco-stylist Nina Gbor. To check it out, register at actsmart.act.gov.au.

Faye’s recent styling, inspired by current season Dior as well as Dior tailoring from the 50s.

No matter if you’re an op-shop fanatic (as so many Canberrans are) or a just a believer in supporting sustainable fashion, you won’t want to be anywhere but the FROW for Faye and Salvos’ FASHFEST debut.

the essentials

What: Salvos’ Salvaged at FASHFEST 2017
When: Saturday 30 September. Doors open at 5.30pm with the show at 7pm
Where: The National Convention Centre, 31 Constitution Avenue, City
Tickets: From $49. Purchase yours here.
More information: fashfest.com.au

HerCanberra are proud Event Partners for FASHFEST 2017.