That vision has landed her in the driver’s seat of a unique upcycling business which takes waste from that same industry and uses it as an educational tool for the next generation.
Ms Naish was at Kyabram library last week after reaching out to the Campaspe shire, offering her skills and expertise to provide three sessions at the region’s various libraries during its winter school holiday program.
A Fitting Connection is the name of Ms Naish’s business, based out of North Melbourne,
She said her company ethos was to educate students to not only start to understand the complexity of textile waste and circular economy, but to also see textile waste as a resource.
“We do that by facilitating opportunities to explore upcycling that earns financial rewards,” she said, explaining the company’s fundraising with purpose initiative involved turning pre-loved clothing and textiles into saleable products.
At Kyabram earlier this week it was a simple “stuffed” football upcycling program which captured the imagination of participants.
“The aim is to help the environment by keeping textile products from the cutting room floor from becoming landfill.
“I never felt right that we use so much material and pivoted my business from creating fashion collections to using the waste connected to the industry,” Ms Naish said.
She grew up in Glenrowan and her family spent some time in Finley. Her brother now lives in Moama.
She said the upcycled footballs had been in big demand since starting the workshops.
A program offering migrant and refugee women training in the industry, titled Second Stitch, is also part of A Fitting Connection’s work.
“It offers women a chance to learn the skills to work in the textile industry,” she said.
“The whole goal is to keep stuff out of landfill and today the kids will walk away with a football and be conscious about the role they have played in doing just that.”
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