“We made the dress beautiful”: Eco Fashion Week 2026

"We made the dress beautiful": Eco Fashion Week 2026

After months of designing, workshopping, sewing and preparing, sustainable fashion designs created by residents and teams from 30 Regis homes were showcased at the 2026 Eco Fashion Week Australia finale in Perth.

The showcase was the culmination of months of work from residents, employees, family and community members. To create the dresses, they used items such as dyed kitchen hair nets, donated beads and gems, items from op shops and perhaps most importantly, sustainable, for-purpose materials from Indonesia.

As part of this project, Regis partnered with Eco Fashion Week Australia's Reaching Indonesia initiative, which connects communities in Australia with traditional weaving communities in Indonesia. The handwoven material used by residents in the dresses were created by women living in regional villages, where weaving is both a cultural tradition and an important source of income for families.

This partnership is supported by Indonesian community leaders and government representatives who are working to preserve these cultural practices and create sustainable employment opportunities.

The benefits of the project extend to residents and their wellbeing, providing a sense of purpose and spaces for social connection. Regis National Manager of Lifestyle and Community Engagement, Amanda Glenwright, said the lead up and the final showcase empowered residents to challenge themselves and work creatively as a team.

"For people living in aged care, projects like this provide a meaningful sense of purpose and motivation," said Amanda.

"We've seen firsthand how residents become more socially engaged as they collaborate. They really experience an increased sense of pride as they design, create and share their successes with a wider audience."

The final showcase in Perth saw residents' dresses alongside local and nationwide designers, as residents, employees and the community celebrated the dedication and effort that led to the moment.

Following careful consideration from the judges, the Eco Fashion Week winners were announced, and the gold medal was awarded to Regis Hurstville (NSW).

Regis Woodlands (WA) took home silver and Regis Chelmer (QLD) were awarded bronze.

At Regis Hurstville in the months leading up to Eco Fashion Week, team members Sera and Judy worked alongside residents Anastasia and Sui Wong to create their dress, "Daisy". Anastasia and Sui contributed their crochet skills, creating handmade pieces that were incorporated into the final dress.

The pair were proud and delighted to see their own handiwork incorporated into the completed dress, giving them a tangible sense of contribution and achievement.

Together, they shared, "we made the dress beautiful."

Regis Hurstville's gold-winning design has been selected to travel with Eco Fashion Week throughout 2027, including international showcases as part of the official collection.