Young designers: Participants Lola Afolabi, Kaeley Saville, Gracia Musafiri and Kim Chu with their creations.
Photo by
Tiarna Saville
Talented young designers from diverse cultural backgrounds showcased their unique creations at the Fashion and Cultural Exhibit in Shepparton.
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The ‘FaceofShepp’ project, which started in 2019, aims to provide educational opportunities for fashion and design in the region.
Kathy Fuller and Fiona Smoleanaars led the project from concept to realisation.
After facing challenges due to the pandemic, the project finally kicked off in March 2022 with the help of organisations such as Holmesglen, the Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District, Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project and MOVE.
The Face project represents the diversity of faces and cultures in Greater Shepparton, and the girls behind the initiative have poured their hearts and souls into creating their unique garments.
The team: Kaeley Saville (Face participant), Fiona Smolenaars (Face project lead), Stacey Popovski (couture fashion designer/lead mentor), Gracia Musafiri (Face participant), Kathy Fuller (Face project lead), Lola Afolabi and Kim Chu (Face participants).
Photo by
Tiarna Saville
The budding designers were mentored by bespoke couture bridal designer Stacey Popovski, who owns bridal collection business Popovski in Melbourne and is originally from Greater Shepparton.
She taught them various skills such as creating vision boards, understanding the theory of colour, using fabrics and building their sewing skills.
Kim Chu from Hong Kong, Gracia Musafiri from Congo, Lola Afolabi from Nigeria, and Kaeley Saville from Australia were among the young designers who showcased their stunning designs at the exhibit on May 7 at Shepparton Library.
Attendees praised the designers’ creativity and the representation of their cultural heritage through their garments.
In addition to showcasing their designs, the exhibit provided an opportunity for the girls to share their stories and inspire others with their passion for fashion and design. Chris Hazelman from the Ethnic Council, Julie Wright from Holmesglen and Ms Popovski all provided support and financial assistance, helping to make the project a reality.
Organisers said the hope was that the success of the Face project would pave the way for more educational opportunities in fashion and design in Shepparton, and that ultimately Greater Shepparton would have its own fashion and design school in the future.
The designs will be on display at Shepparton Library all week.
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