Courtney Holm

33, from Geelong, Vic – Pioneering circular fashion to cut waste and emissions.

In Tasmania there’s an old mill that can turn fabric off-cuts into new yarn. It’s the only one in Australia, and designer Courtney Holm will use it as part of her mission to reform the wasteful fashion industry. Her label, ABC.H, takes responsibility for every garment it creates, ensuring it’s ethically crafted, and then recycled. “At ABC.H we’re just getting started with the customer when they make that purchase,” Courtney says. Launched two years ago, ABC.H purchases raw materials ethically and educates customers about how to take responsibility for their garments. Each customer is provided with a care manual for their clothing and has access to free repairs. “We want to collect that garment at the end of its life, as well as all the off-cuts produced during production. We’re taking old things, wasted things, and turning them into new yarns,” she says. The prize money would allow Courtney to finish the first stage of her trial to eliminate waste and expand it to the broader industry.