Image taken by Justin Cueno @justincueno
ARTFIT was a 10-week sustainable fashion design program, looking at self expression through repair, decoration and upcycling.
During the program, young and emerging artists imagined, created and upcycled their own new work with the guidance of world-renowned designer Gary Bigeni.
To celebrate the first cohort of ARTFIT designers, Outloud hosted our inaugural fashion showcase on June 27th 2026 at Bankstown Arts Centre
Featuring designs by Aluat Doong, Asma Nayim Ullah, BEA, Caroline Lie, Isaac Fenech, Jashi K, Lucy (Thi Ngoc Le Nguyen), Nae, Ramneek Thind, Rana, (Rani) Maharani Sirris, Safa Al-Bekaa, Saffy Lazenby, Sophie Lambourne, Tanish Tanjil, Zara Saad and Sky.
Recap filmed by Nia Chen @nia80z
Our 17 showcasing artists invited us into their world and presented original pieces. We invite you to dive deeper and explore each piece in the ARTFIT Lookbook.
Throughout the course of ARTFIT, the designers began with sewing basics and ended with pieces of wearable art! We’re so proud of everyone involved and cannot wait to see what they go on to create.
Thank you to our ARTFIT workshop facilitator Gary, our runway DJ JOJ @joj.bouk, our amazing MC Rania @raiseitwithrania, Nia Chen @nia80z, who filmed the event and Justin Cueno @justincueno for all of our stunning images!
About ARTFIT Mentor: Gary Bigeni
Gary Bigeni pushes the limits of fashion as individual expression through his custom made-to-order fine art collections.
Even as a young Maltese boy living in Sydney, Australia with his three siblings and mother, creativity was always present for Gary Bigeni. As a child he would sneak into his mother’s wardrobe and cut large circles out of the bottom of her dresses so he could create collections for his GI Joes and Barbies. Years later, following fashion training at East Sydney Tech, Gary Bigeni launched his eponymous label and secured himself as part of the Australian fashion cohort.
With multiple fashion week shows, presentations, artist collaborations and celebrity muses, Bigeni built a reputation for masterful drape, intelligent silhouettes and artful use of colour. Over time, Gary Bigeni’s collections have evolved; whilst still created on a foundation of masterful fabric manipulation and soft tailoring, his once quiet palette now exudes the vibrance and joy of his own style and personality.
Image taken by Justin Cueno @justincueno
This program is generously supported by the St George Foundation.
