Who is Liz Sunshine?
Liz Sunshine is a Melbourne-based documentary, fashion, and portrait photographer known for her commitment to street-style photography and sustainable fashion. Originally from a farm in country New South Wales, she discovered photography in high school and was immediately drawn to the creative medium.
Professional Journey
Liz began her career as a street-style photographer when the genre was still emerging, focusing on capturing everyday people's fashion. She transitioned from working in-house as a photographer for a Melbourne boutique to becoming a prominent fashion documentary photographer who has worked with prestigious clients like Dior and Vogue Australia.
Artistic Philosophy
Her work goes beyond mere fashion documentation. Liz views her photography as a form of cultural record-keeping, exploring the stories and meanings behind people's clothing choices. She is particularly passionate about sustainability in fashion, challenging herself to buy nothing new for 12 months in 2024/2025 and raising awareness about textile waste.
Current Projects
Currently, Liz is:
Running her soft activism project "Our Relationship with Clothes"
Regularly contributing to Vogue.com.au covering events and fashion on the street
Preparing for future exhibitions and offline community events in Melbourne
Exploring people's wardrobes and cultural clothing
Liz describes herself as an artist interested in the psychology of fashion, using her platform to encourage mindful consumption and personal style exploration
What are some common misconceptions about sustainable fashion that Liz Sunshine addresses?
Sustainable fashion is boring and expensive: Sunshine challenges this myth, emphasizing that sustainable fashion embraces innovation and creativity. While some sustainable garments may have a higher price point, their longevity and positive environmental impact make them valuable investments.
Sustainable fashion offers limited choices: Contrary to this belief, Sunshine notes that the sustainable fashion industry has seen a surge in brands and collections catering to diverse tastes and preferences.
Fast fashion is only associated with certain brands: Sunshine agrees with a definition that suggests all clothing, regardless of its source (op-shop, high street, or luxury), can be labeled as fast fashion depending on how we buy and use it. She emphasises that conscious consumerism is about choosing carefully and caring for our clothes.
Sustainable fashion allows unlimited purchasing: Sunshine points out that shopping sustainably doesn't give you a free pass to replace your closet every season. She stresses the importance of understanding individual impact and buying only what you need, even if it's from a fast-fashion brand.
Sustainable fashion requires a complete wardrobe overhaul: Sunshine advocates for a more thoughtful approach to creating a considered wardrobe, focusing on spending more time in the purchasing phase and less time getting dressed in the morning.
Through her work and interviews, Liz Sunshine encourages people to develop a more positive and empowered relationship with clothes, emphasising individuality in wardrobes and the importance of conscious consumerism in the context of sustainable fashion.
How does Liz Sunshine's work contribute to the conversation around sustainability in fashion?
Liz Sunshine's work significantly contributes to the conversation around sustainability in fashion through her approach to photography and her commitment to raising awareness about textile waste.
Her contributions can be summarised in several key ways:
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Liz views her street-style photography as a form of cultural record-keeping, documenting not just fashion trends but also societal values and lifestyles. This approach encourages people to think deeply about their clothing choices and their impact on the environment.
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Her art serves as a form of soft activism, promoting awareness about textile waste and encouraging change through curiosity and conversation. By capturing everyday style, Liz helps people connect more meaningfully with their clothes, potentially reducing overconsumption.
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Since 2022 Liz has been repairing her relationship with clothes and has undertaken three main personal challenge to reduce her consumption. The first in 2023 was to buy only 26 new clothing items per year, which is about half of what the average Australian consumer purchases. In 2024 she reduced this number to 12 new items with unlimited vintage. Decided it wasn’t enough in August 2024 she committed to nothing new for 365 days, not only including fashion, but all shopping. This self-imposed limit serves as an example and talking point for sustainable consumption. You can read more about it on her My Relationship With Clothes substack where she documents her activity.
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Liz is conducting a personal research project called "Our Relationship with Clothes," which sparks conversations around sustainability within her online community. This project encourages people to reflect on their clothing habits and consider more sustainable choices.
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Through her agency, Street Smith, Liz supports companies, brands, and individuals who adopt climate-conscious approaches to business, manufacturing, and circular fashion. Working with clients such as Mulberry and New Zealand label Kowtow to host conversations. This support helps promote and amplify sustainable practices within the industry.
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By celebrating inspirational everyday style, Liz aims to help people dress more confidently, value their clothes more, and connect better with the planet. This approach can lead to more mindful consumption and less waste.
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Liz believes in the power of asking questions and letting people draw their own conclusions as a driver for change. Her work encourages viewers to stop and think about what's important to them, potentially leading to more sustainable choices. Through these various approaches, Liz Sunshine's work contributes significantly to the conversation around sustainability in fashion, inspiring both individuals and the industry to consider more environmentally conscious practices.
Further reading
Kowtow Journal - Kowtow is a New Zealand fashion label that is plastic free.
Jardan Journal - Jardan is an Australian Made furniture company.
Risse journal - Dress with conviction. Shop with impact.