Since its founding in Canberra in 2011, EDITION has been challenging conventional approaches to fashion through a commitment to sustainability, innovation and craftsmanship. Designed and made in her Waramanga studio, the Australian label is driven by its signature "Selvedge to Selvedge" method, ensuring every part of fabric is used and nothing goes to landfill. Combining sculptural silhouettes, multifunctional design and hand-painted artwork, EDITION creates thoughtfully crafted pieces that balance creativity with conscious production. We spoke with founder, Alice van Meurs, about the evolution of the brand, the opportunities and challenges of zero-waste design, and the vision shaping the future of sustainable Australian fashion.
Tell us about your brand
EDITION began back in 2011 during my final year studying Fashion at the Canberra Institute of Technology, and it’s been growing ever since. After graduating, I worked from a graduate studio at CIT, then spent six years at the Australian National Capital Artists (ANCA) studios in Dickson. These days, you’ll find me designing and making from my studio in Waramanga, ACT, where every EDITION piece is created.
For the past few years, I have been collaborating with Gurindji Waanyi artist Sarrita King, presenting at Australian Fashion Week, Melbourne Fashion Week, PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival, and Country to Couture. My work has also found its way to the Kluge-Ruhe Art Museum in the United States.
What inspired you to become a fashion designer and start your own label?
Ever since I can remember, I have always wanted to be a fashion designer and maker. I was the kid who was always dressing up and making clothes for my Barbies and dolls.
I feel very lucky to have been able to create and make as my job. This has relied on my family and friends being supportive of this wild fashion journey, especially in the early years when I needed financial and emotional support.
Now, it means I have flexibility and can choose my own hours while having three small children.
How do you incorporate sustainable practices in your work?
At the heart of EDITION is my zero-waste pattern-making method, 'Selvedge to Selvedge.' It means I use the entire piece of fabric, with no offcuts and nothing sent to landfill. It also keeps things interesting! Rather than sketching fixed designs, I let the garments take shape during the making process. That element of surprise is a big part of my practice and gives each piece its own personality.
The result? Sculptural, multifunctional garments that approach sustainability in a creative, wearable way.
Quality underpins every element of EDITION garments, from their sustainable foundation to the artwork hand-painted onto them. Careful consideration is given to the sourcing of fabric, the zero-waste pattern-making approach, and the precision of construction, ensuring integrity at every stage.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received that you’d share with an aspiring designer?
I think the best piece of advice that I have received, which I think applies to anyone going into small business, is to have grit.
Nothing in small business is going to be smooth, and you need to problem solve constantly and not get down about setbacks.
So, just keep showing up every day and making every day. Nothing happens overnight, and you need to be consistently working towards your goals.
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