‘Avoid the Warmonger’ utilises fashion as a form of protest to create a discussion about Australia’s military spending with the United States. Designs contrast the key signifiers of both Australian and U.S cultural artifacts to evoke a comparison between the moral and ethical differences between both nations. This collection asks the audience to think and reflect on our relationship with seemingly aggressive nations, in particular, warmongering nations that have been accused countless times of profiting from the destruction of other countries to feed their never-ending the cycle of war and how doing so contradicts our deep desires for peace and safety that have been embedded in our spirit. Inspired by the work ethic of Australian blue-collar culture, a range of wool materials are used to romanticise the blue-collar worker while contrasting against militaristic signifiers to continue the comparison of cultures. Nature inspired colour palettes were used as a symbol of unity across the various cultural groups who lived together. Various silhouettes and artefacts from blue-collar lifestyles contrast against elements of military equipment and American mythologies to continue this cultural comparison, to communicate our need to carve our destiny for the future rather than follow in bloody footsteps. 

The Australian Wool Education Trust provided financial sponsorship for wool fabrics sourced in this collection.