Sustainable Couture Upcycling - with Carmel Ryan

Come join Darwin Frocktails at COTA, Spillett House (Opposite Ray's Cafe) for a fun and informative afternoon with the talented Carmel Ryan! Learn all about upcycling and sustainable fashion.

You’ll come away armed with inspiration, some great ideas how to go about it, as well as tips to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary and keep unwanted clothing and other materials out of landfill.

Carmel will share her expertise so you can get cracking creating your own upcycled masterpiece. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to get creative and make a difference!

Carmel Ryan is a seamstress who has always loved making costumes and unique wearable art, with mainly upcycled, and reimagined materials.

Originally from the Red Centre & now residing in Darwin , Carmel draws on the whole of the Territory for inspiration. Passionate about the environment, her work practice is to reuse, repurpose and work with mainly vintage pre loved /found / foraged and natural materials that “come with a story”.

In past years Carmel has exhibited her work throughout the Northern Territory, Hobart, Victoria & WA.

Last year Carmel was again a finalist at the Australian Wearable Art Festival on the Sunshine Coast, creating a natural fibre, 100% biodegradable garment, which was also featured in ABC News segments to highlight sustainability.

Carmel was a participating designer of the ‘Get It On’, Frock On’ and ‘Sew Gorgeous’ projects, all collaborations with Indigenous community artists and galleries featuring Indigenous Art fabrics.

She was also a feature designer in an upcycling challenge event to design with only men’s preloved shirts. Using fabric from 25 white shirts , a bridal gown (pictured) was created. The Gown graced various catwalks Australia wide and featured in an article in ‘That’s Life”’ magazine.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Spillett House (Opposite Ray's Cafe), 65 Smith Street, Darwin City, Australia