Amongst the kaleidoscope of colour that was the Australian Body Art Carnivale, the Bendigo Bank Wearable Art competition proved a stand-out event, with a record number of talented designers showcasing their incredible fashion creations on the catwalk.
Sponsored by Cooroy Community Branch of Bendigo Bank for the first time this year, the Wearable Art competition gave designers of all ages and experience the chance to express their creativity in creating fashion garments with an uprecycled twist and in keeping with the event theme of ‘Best of Oz’.
Event Manager Danielle Taylor says the theme drew a wide range of interpretations in the Wearable Art competition.
“The designers’ creativity was certainly flowing with garment designs drawing on Australian birds and reptiles, beaches and marine life, native flora, thongs, Hills Hoists and even vegemite toast,” she says.
“Some artists chose to weave in the Wizard of Oz, and others combined elements from the emerald city with things Australian.
The 2013 winner of the competition was Julie Johnson from Marcoola with a work titled ‘Oz Fusion’ that saw her combine elements of Mad Max with Desert Queens, the Yellow Brick Road and lorikeets.
“Her phenomenal work was sculpted from a myriad of recycled materials including leather, a kite, an umbrella, roofing materials, old belts and bikes – and topped off with Dorothy-inspired red shoes,” says Danielle.
The Runner-Up prize went to Karlah Condon from Noosa Heads, and People’s Choice Award to Danielle Dunlop also from Noosa Heads. Carol Thomson from Mountain Creek and Teloka Berry from Noosa received a Highly Commended Award.
Manager of Cooroy Community Branch of Bendigo Bank Geoff Edwards is passionate about the inclusivity of the event and the opportunity it brings young designers to shine.
“We were thrilled to see so many emerging fashion designers really embrace the event, not to mention the huge crowds that came out to show their support,” he says.
Geoff also loves the fact that garments must be made from recycled materials. “The sustainability of the event is a real drawcard, and it truly is like watching a live art exhibition with such ingenuous recycling of weird and wonderful materials,” he says.
“I genuinely encourage artists out there to get involved next year – for the fun, the buzz and the opportunity to work with a fabulous bunch of creative souls in our community.”
Visit www.australianbodyart.com.au for more info and to sign up to receive eNewsletters in the lead-up to next year’s event. Facebook page: www.facebook.com/AustralianBodyArtCarnivale