Questioning Fashion

IS there a ghost in our studio (Jo’s attic)? No matter, because we’re all about human spirit anyway - those big gestures by small businesses, small gestures by big names (that become big by association), distant communities bringing upcycling to a global audience. We needed to chat about nice things, and there are plenty of those within the circular and slow fashion movements.
If you want a good rabbit hole on a gloomy day (or sweltering, depending on your hemisphere), look no further.
Here’s the gorgeous Anna Foster, founder of ELV Denim, better explaining the middle seam trick than Jo managed..
“Our signature style with the four seams is not only an aesthetic design, but a functional one too. The seams allow for simple alterations (which is unheard of in denim), to achieve the desired fit, and the generous seam allowance – as with all couture tailoring – means that the jean can adapt with the life of the wearer; it can go up in size and down in size.”
Oh! And we worked out why Jo wrote “still got it” in her notes! No, it wasn’t a declaration of self-love but an Insta account to help her remember this post:
Introducing Bone Bwoy and his incredible garments made from our dumped textile waste on the shores of Accra, Ghana, under the label Kala Blaq Kintsugi. Check out his Carry Your Future initiative here.
We mention Tate Boswarva, a recent FDS Tafe graduate and Slogue mentor who showed an incredible collection of slow and circular pieces at Australian Fashion Week, and whose process went viral to the tune of 1.8 million views. It’s so labour intensive it’s (hopefully) dupe-proof…
Keen to check out Ali’s recommendation on online clothing patterns? Or what about Cassey Ho’s Blogilates? Here’s the One Direction What Makes You Bootyful workout for all y’all who want to imagine squeezing a penny between your butt cheeks :/
As for Ho’s clever retaliation after her skorts were duped by an ultra fast fashion brand, we think all the ‘kits’ are sold out but you can still purchase the pattern, and if you’re an ‘alternative dance mum’ like Jo, it could make for a great community project to save old dance skirts from landfill!
Here’s the story on the Billie Eilish recycled concert Tees…
Watch this space and follow Anastasia Gazis for news on textiles recycling.
And finally, check out Sheridan Mortlock’s brand new Fixing Fashion podcast …
For the moment Jo did the dirty on Ali with an “other”, here’s their interview, the first in the series being all about Slogue and Flip Fashion Forever.
So, until next time…


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questioningfashion.substack.com

Yes we know, there’s been another accidental hiatus, but we just planned, recorded, edited and published a whole episode in one afternoon, so things are looking up.
In this episode, we catch up on Ali’s recent embroidery work, including her response to a 19th-century wedding fan for an upcoming exhibition in Dunedin. We talk about fashion as art and fashion you just want to make for the joy of it.
Jo shares what she’s been learning through Slogue’s Flip Fashion Forever workshops: that fashion becomes more powerful when young people experience it as something they do, not just something they buy.
We also get into the messy middle of sustainable fashion — why blaming consumers doesn’t work, why “just buy secondhand” is too simple, and why fashion literacy might be one of the missing pieces. What is quality? How do we recognise fabric, fibre, weave and construction? And why does it matter?
Plus: Devil Wears Prada 2, small businesses closing, sewing as social dopamine, emerging designers, and Ali’s excellent explainer on the difference between silk and satin.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questioningfashion.substack.com

Yes we know…. but the point is, we’re here now!!
Just Jo, Ali and her permanently perplexed dog Teddy, all snuggled up with some Chamomile tea and a bundle of cables.
Here are just some of the topics we cover (slash things we plug):
Useful Box Sewing School
Flip Fashion Forever | Instagram @slogue_fashion
Generation Women Australia
Ethical Clothing Australia (ECA)

Email any questions or comments (using the codeword ‘Acorn’ in the subject line) to questioningfashionpodcast@slogue.com.au
We’d love a review on Apple Podcasts
And follow us here..instagram.com/questioningfashionpodcastinstagram.com/jogambaleinstagram.com/alidibleytiktok.com/@bellstreet



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questioningfashion.substack.com

We’re not the only ones questioning fashion at this time of year.
Despite the AFC’s best efforts to re-exclusify a ‘reclaimed’ Fashion Week, Carriageworks was still pulsing with big egos in big looks vying for airtime via vox pops. (Look up “Who’s the Final Boss of Micro Trends?” if you care.)
No matter, because inside was where the real news happened.
Here’s a question: what happens when you mix four passionate First Nations women with a privileged white Mansplainer?
Pop the kettle on and settle in because you’re about to find out…

Email any questions or comments (using the codeword ‘Acorn’ in the subject line) to questioningfashionpodcast@slogue.com.au
We’d love a review on Apple Podcasts
And follow us here..instagram.com/questioningfashionpodcastinstagram.com/jogambaleinstagram.com/alidibleytiktok.com/@bellstreet



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questioningfashion.substack.com

Could it be? Yes it could. Something’s coming. Something good.
Jo has this West Side Story number in her head right now and fellow musical nerd Ali wants to know why.
If you're a designer, educator, alterations expert, repairer, stylist or creative entrepreneur working in the slow fashion space, and you live in/near Sydney, Newcastle or Melbourne, read below and book yourself into one of the meetings via this link. We really want to hear from you so we can make this venture the best it can be.
https://www.x-u.com.au/
What’s the Slow Fashion Hub?
Slow Fashion Hubs, powered by Xu (short for To the Power of You), is an ambitious new platform that will connect Australia’s slow fashion community through both digital tools and shared physical workspaces. Think co-working but for fashion – complete with sewing tech, design software, e-commerce integration, and peer learning. It’s designed to reduce your costs, extend your reach, and give consumers a real alternative to fast fashion.
The meetings are 2, 3 and 6 June (Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne respectively). Book your spot today.
Email: questioningfashionpodcast@slogue.com.au
We’d love a review on Apple Podcasts
And follow us here..instagram.com/questioningfashionpodcastinstagram.com/jogambaleinstagram.com/alidibleytiktok.com/@bellstreet


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit questioningfashion.substack.com