What are you looking for?

The next addition to the Australian Wearable Art Festival judging panel in 2025 is Svenja, a celebrated textile artist known for her vibrant use of colour, rich textures and nature-inspired creations.

Joining forces alongside fellow judge Rachel Burke, Svenja’s innovative techniques and passion for wearable art make her an invaluable addition to next year’s judging panel.

Svenja began her journey in textiles in the early 2000s and transitioned to wearable art in 2007, earning six awards from World of WearableArt over her career. Svenja’s work has also been showcased in prestigious events and exhibitions such as Wearable Art Mandurah (Western Australia), Paper on Skin (Tasmania), Wearable Expressions (California), and the inaugural Naracoorte Art Prize (South Australia). As a regular contributor to TEXTILE Fibre Forum magazine, she shares her insights and creative journey with the Australian wearable art community.

How do you feel about being a judge at AWAF next year?

I’m definitely excited to be included as an overall judge for AWAF 2025, as well as representing Textile Fibre Forum magazine. I’ve seen some wonderful garments over the last few years, and I’m keen to remain involved with the wearable art world.

What will you be looking for on the AWAF runway in 2025? Are there any trends or innovations you hope to see?

I will be looking for original ideas, executed with skill and precision, and strongly evoking the original inspiration. Wearable Art isn’t costume – it’s the expression of an artistic idea, a sculptural one, and needs to have both practical and creative resolution evident in its final form. Innovative solutions and materials are always welcome, but you can leave trends to fast fashion.

What advice would you give to artists who are new to wearable art and considering entering for the first time?

First and foremost, you are creating a sculpture. You will be displaying it on a human figure, so you need to accommodate that – break your design down into sections – this also helps with transport and laundering considerations. Make it comfortable and safe – often the more a model can move, the better they can bring your design to life. Research your inspiration topic – the more information you have, the more source material you have to draw upon. Consider the body as a whole, and balance fine details with overall presence.

In your view, how can a festival like AWAF contribute to an artist’s career growth or open up new opportunities?

Firstly, an event such as AWAF is vital in helping to create new audiences for wearable art, and to help educate them about what this unique artform is. For artists it provides an opportunity to showcase their work – it is incredible to see your work presented at this level, to have fabulous photos to share, to be appreciated, validated, and to meet fellow creatives. The more you are involved with this community the more inspired you get, as well as creating a network which can lead to many different opportunities.

What elements of design or storytelling do you find particularly compelling in wearable art?

I really enjoy it when a work is performative, as in it comes to life when it is worn. This may sometimes include an element of unique movement, or reveal. I also appreciate beauty – whether that be in the overall shape, the texture of the material, or the movement of the piece.

Artists entries are now open for Australian Wearable Art Festival in August 2025. To find out more and to apply, go to Designer Entry.