1. Purpose

Please read these Terms & Conditions carefully. Submission of an application to participate in the ReWear Runway is taken as acknowledgement and agreement to the terms outlined below.

Zero Waste Victoria is a not-for-profit organisation focused on reducing waste and encouraging more sustainable everyday choices through community engagement, education, and events.

The ReWear Runway is part of the Zero Waste Festival, presented by Zero Waste Victoria and held at Fed Square on Saturday, September 12, 2026.

The ReWear Runway celebrates low-waste fashion through reuse, repair, upcycling and repurposed materials.

We welcome wearable designs that demonstrate:

• creativity and originality

• thoughtful use of reclaimed or repurposed materials

• wearability beyond the runway

• personal expression with a sustainable story behind the design

• practical or imaginative approaches to sustainable fashion

The event aims to showcase fashion that is inspiring, wearable, and accessible, while encouraging new ways of thinking about clothing, waste, and creativity.

2. Entries must include

Eligible entries must include: 

• Why you would like to participate in the ReWear Runway event

• The story behind the materials and design process. Describe the materials used and their origin story. 

• Details about reclaimed garments, fabrics, repaired items, found materials, or anything else that contributed to the final upcycled piece

• Images for initial selection 

1. 1. Completed Garment: One image of the completed garment you intend to enter; or

   2. Work in Progress: One image of the garment in progress, together with one image of a previously completed garment; or  

   3. Design Sketch: One image of your design sketch or concept, together with one image of a previously completed garment.  

 The image of a previously completed garment helps the judges understand your design skills and experience in completing fashion projects. 

3. Application Fee

A non-refundable administration fee applies to all applications and must be paid at the time of submission.

• Standard application fee: $10

• Student and concession application fee: $5

The administration fee is non-refundable, including where an application is unsuccessful, withdrawn by the applicant, or where a finalist later withdraws from the event. 

4. Application Period and Closing Date

Applications for the ReWear Runway must be submitted by 4 pm on 10 July 2026.

Zero Waste Victoria reserves the right to extend the application period, amend the closing date, or reopen applications at its discretion.

Any changes to application dates will be communicated through official ReWear Runway and Zero Waste Victoria channels.

5. Judging Process

Selection of Finalists

Applications will be reviewed by a judging panel and finalists selected against the criteria outlined below. Up to 30 finalists will be invited to participate in the ReWear Runway.

All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application, with finalists advised by late-July 2026. Selection as a finalist is competitive and subject to available places in the ReWear Runway.

Finalists are asked to confirm their participation within five (5) days of receiving notification. If a place is not confirmed within this timeframe, the place may be offered to another applicant.

Finalists who are no longer able to participate must notify Zero Waste Victoria as soon as possible. If a finalist withdraws, Zero Waste Victoria reserves the right to offer the place to another applicant.

Finalist Participation Requirements

Participants must either model their garment themselves or arrange for a suitable model to present the garment on the runway. Securing and coordinating a model is the responsibility of the participant.

Finalists (and their models) must be available to attend a full dress rehearsal from 9:30am to 11:30am on Saturday 12 September 2026. Official event photography will take place during the rehearsal, and participants should attend in their completed garment and runway presentation look. Participants who wish to wear makeup for their event photographs are encouraged to do so in the rehearsal.

Finalists must also be available from 5:00pm for event preparations, with the runway presentation commencing at 6:00pm and concluding at approximately 7:30pm at Fed Square.

Final Judging and Awards

Final garments presented at the ReWear Runway will be judged on Saturday 12 September 2026 at Fed Square against the criteria outlined below.

Individual scores, rankings and feedback will remain confidential. All judging decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding judging outcomes.

Award winners will be announced at the conclusion of the event. A People’s Choice Award will also be presented, determined by votes cast by event attendees.

6. Judging criteria

Sustainability

• reduction of waste through thoughtful construction methods (including minimising fabric scraps)

• use of reclaimed, repaired, or repurposed materials or preloved clothing as the primary source of material

• avoidance of new materials except thread and necessary hardware

Craftsmanship & Wearability

• functionality & practicality beyond the runway

• ease of movement and comfort

• durability and garment construction quality

• ability to withstand repeated wear and washing

Creativity

• originality and fresh perspective in concept or material use 

• successful translation of creative ideas into the final garment 

• potential to inspire accessible and achievable sustainable fashion practices in others

7. Awards and Recognition

The following awards will be presented at the 2026 ReWear Runway Fashion Show, with a total prize pool including cash prizes and professional photography packages valued at more than $2,000. 

ReWear Runway Award
Awarded for excellence in creative reuse and zero-waste fashion design. Includes a $300 cash prize and a professional photo shoot package valued at $1,500.

Youth Designer Recognition Award
A $200 award for participants aged 25 years and under, supporting emerging creatives in sustainable fashion.

Participants must be 25 years of age or younger on 12 September 2026 to be eligible for the Youth Designer Recognition Award. 

People’s Choice Award
A $100 award determined by votes cast by event attendees.

The method of voting and vote counting for the People’s Choice Award will be determined by Zero Waste Victoria and the result will be final. 

Finalists

All finalists will receive a certificate of participation and a minimum of one professional photograph of their garment on the runway. Additional event photographs, including group photographs and other event imAward recipients will be announced at the conclusion of the event on 12 September 2026ages, may also be made available to finalists where available.

The total prize pool and award inclusions are subject to change and may be increased through additional sponsorship or prize contributions. 

8.  Low-Waste and Sustainability 

The ReWear Runway will showcase creative approaches to fashion that prioritise reuse, repair, repurposing, and waste reduction.

Participants should:

• prioritise reclaimed, reused, repaired, recycled, deadstock, second-hand, salvaged, or diverted materials

• minimise waste generation and avoid disposable items 

• consider repairability, reuse, and durability in garment design

• avoid unnecessary waste where possible

While reclaimed and repurposed materials are encouraged, limited use of new materials is acceptable where necessary. 

9. Original Work

By participating in the ReWear Runway, the participant confirms that their submission is their own work and they hold permissions for any materials, artwork, prints, or design elements used.

Participants retain ownership of their designs and intellectual property.

Participants grant Zero Waste Victoria permission to photograph and film garments and models for marketing, media, social media, promotional, reporting and archival purposes.

Where reasonably practical, participant names and design credits will be acknowledged.

10. Public Event 

Participants acknowledge that the ReWear Runway is a public event where photography and video recording may occur.

Participants are expected to act responsibly and take reasonable care for their own safety and the safety of others during the event.

11. Participation & Event Safety

Participation in the ReWear Runway is voluntary.

Garments must be safe, wearable, and suitable for a public runway event. Designers are responsible for ensuring garments fit securely, allow safe movement, and do not contain hazardous or unsafe materials. 

Zero Waste Victoria is not responsible for sourcing, managing, supervising, or compensating models arranged by participants. 

All participants are expected to contribute to a respectful, inclusive, and safe environment and adhere to the Zero Waste Festival Code of Conduct.

The Zero Waste Festival and ReWear Runway team, including staff and volunteers, are not responsible for loss, theft, or damage to personal belongings, garments, equipment, or materials during the event.

Zero Waste Victoria reserves the right to amend, postpone, relocate, or cancel the event where circumstances outside its reasonable control make this necessary 

The ReWear Runway team reserves the right to refuse participation or remove any garment, participant, or material considered unsafe, inappropriate, or inconsistent with the values and operation of the event.

12.  Young Participants

Participants under 18 years of age must:

• have parent or guardian consent

• be appropriately supervised

• comply with all event safety requirements

Zero Waste Victoria may require consent forms and supervision arrangements for participants under 18 years of age. Relevant documentation will be provided following acceptance into the event. 

13. Accessibility & Inclusion

Zero Waste Victoria is committed to creating welcoming and inclusive community events.

Participants are encouraged to:

• communicate accessibility needs in advance

• contribute to a respectful and supportive environment for all attendees

Reasonable efforts will be made to support accessibility within the practical limitations of the venue and event resources.

14. Acceptance

By applying to or participating in the ReWear Runway, participants acknowledge that they have:

• read this policy

• understood this policy

• agreed to comply with this policy and associated event directions

Please note that the ReWear Runway and Zero Waste Festival may be photographed, filmed, or recorded. By participating, entrants consent to photographs and video footage of themselves and their garments being used by Zero Waste Victoria across digital channels, social media, website content, and promotional materials. 

Contact

For questions regarding the ReWear Runway, please contact: 

Email: events@zerowastevictoria.org.au