From BDC Classroom to National Runway: Hannah Gallagher & Amelie Carpenter Head to Eco Fashion Week Australia

When Year 12 HSC Textiles students Hannah Gallagher and Amelie Carpenter were completing Year 12 at Bishop Druitt College, they were focused on completing their HSC Major Works. Their sustainable creations are bound for the national stage at Eco Fashion Week Australia (EFWA) in Perth.

In an extraordinary achievement for regional youth talent, both Hannah and Amelie were directly sponsored by EFWA after organisers spotted the exceptional botanical-printed, naturally dyed garments. Their selection highlights not only their individual dedication and artistic vision but also the strength of BDC’s vibrant teaching and learning pathways.

Recently, Coffs Coast Focus magazine caught up with Hannah and Amelie to explore the inspiration, late nights, and eco-conscious techniques behind their runway-bound collection. We are proud to share their journey and full interview below.

The National Runway Call-Up

Taking a project from a high school classroom assessment to a major national fashion showcase is a rare feat. Sponsored directly by EFWA, the girls will see their designs walk down the runway alongside established, professional sustainable designers from across Australia and around the globe.

Here is what Hannah and Amelie shared about the moment their HSC Textiles teacher delivered the news:

Congratulations on being selected to showcase your HSC Textiles Major Works at Eco Fashion Week Australia! What were your reactions when you found out you had been invited to take your work from the classroom to a national runway?

Amelie: When my teacher received the email and informed me, I was confused and didn't believe her. But then we realised how big of a deal it is, and I was so excited. I ran and called my parents, and they didn’t believe me either. It was so surreal!

Hannah: I was in pure disbelief, and when I told my parents, so were they. Then, after more conversations over email with Australia Eco Fashion Week, it became more and more real, and I realised how incredible this opportunity is.

Inspiration & Local Mentorship

At the heart of both Major Works is a deep commitment to environmental sustainability and a nod to the natural beauty of the Coffs Coast region. Rather than relying on synthetic dyes or mass-produced textiles, both students turned to eco-printing and botanical dyeing—techniques that capture the natural pigments and silhouettes of native Australian flora.

To master these complex traditional methods, Hannah and Amelie sought out local expertise, spending valuable time with Coffs Coast artist Kerrie Stewart prior to starting their final school year.

Tell us about the major works you created for your HSC Textiles projects. What was the inspiration behind your designs and what did you want to express through them?

Amelie: I always wanted to produce a Major Work that emulated my love of dance and movement. I understand that the fashion industry contributes to large amounts of landfill, and I wanted to make an item that was made from natural fibres and botanical printing. The corset and skirt are draped to suit the female form and move with the body elegantly. Growing up in Coffs Harbour, we have such a diverse natural environment, so I wanted to connect our local Australian leaves and plant life to my work.

Both of you used botanical or eco-printing techniques and natural dyes in your work. What initially drew you to working with natural materials and plant-based colour?

Hannah & Amelie: Local artist Kerrie Stewart’s work inspired the printing techniques we used in our projects. Before entering our final school year, Hannah and I spent time with Kerrie, observing her methods and learning from her knowledge and experience in this area, as we had never explored these techniques before. We were instantly mesmerised by the process and knew straight away that we wanted to incorporate botanical printing into our final HSC projects.

Unfolding the Creative Process

Creating a bespoke, sustainable garment from scratch requires immense discipline, technical skill, and patience. From harvesting local leaves and preparing fabrics to hand-beading intricate details on the couch after school, the girls transformed the BDC textiles room into a hive of creative experimentation.

How much work goes into creating a piece like this from scratch? Can you take us through some of the process?

Hannah & Amelie: Holy Moly, I don't think we can add up the hours we spent making this project. This became our hyperfixation for the entire year. We spent all of my free periods in the textiles room, experimenting, researching and sewing, as well as many hours beading on the couch at home. We have loved the process of watching our projects blossom into functional costume items.

Bridging School to Industry Success

For senior students at BDC, academic study is intentionally linked with real-world industry pathways. For Amelie, who is preparing to move to Sydney to study full-time dance, exhibiting at EFWA offers an invaluable professional stepping stone that blends performance art, costume creation, and fashion networking.

Your collection has been selected to appear alongside established sustainable designers from across Australia, and EFWA has directly sponsored your participation. How significant is that support for you, and what are you most excited about when it comes to seeing your work under the runway lights?

Amelie: Industry experience is everything. I am moving to Sydney to pursue my passion for the creative arts. I will be attending a full-time dance school, and this opportunity works strongly alongside the career path I am following. I can’t wait to learn how these events work and what it takes to be a successful designer. I’m also really excited to see everyone else’s ideas, meet other creatives and network with people who are already working in the industry. Having the opportunity to showcase our work at EFWA and experience a professional runway is something I never imagined I would get to do while still at school.

Collaboration, Contrast & Crafting a Skillset

While both students shared a commitment to sustainability, their individual artistic styles couldn't be more distinct. Amelie focused on fluid, ethereal construction suited to dance and movement, while Hannah leaned into intricate decorative embellishments and narrative textile art inspired by Fantastic Mr Fox.

Working side-by-side in the studio throughout Year 12 allowed them to challenge, support, and elevate one another’s work.

How has working alongside each other influenced your experience? Do you have different creative styles, and have you learned anything from one another throughout the process?

Amelie: Hannah and I have worked closely together throughout our senior years. We definitely have very different creative styles, with me wanting to create something quite ethereal, while Hannah wanted to create something connected to Fantastic Mr Fox.

I really enjoy fabric manipulation and constructing garments, whereas Hannah is very, very talented in decorative embellishment and textile art techniques. We have become very close throughout the process and have helped each other develop and grow our projects. It has been great having someone to bounce ideas off, encourage each other and share the excitement when something finally works!

If you could continue exploring your design work beyond this project, what would you love to create or experiment with next?

Hannah & Amelie: We both want to keep creating more complex designs and patterns, as we are both passionate about this industry. By continuing to sew and create more garments, we aim to become versatile seamstresses, as we strongly believe that it is extremely valuable to have (what we call a “toolbox”) of skills, allowing us to keep exploring everything this industry has to offer.

A Message for the Runway

As their collection prepares to take the spotlight in Perth, Hannah and Amelie hope their journey encourages other young regional artists to pursue ambitious creative goals without limitations.

Finally, when people see your collection walk down the runway in Perth, what do you hope they take away from your work?

Hannah & Amelie: We hope the audience appreciates that even though we are only 18, we are passionate and have big dreams. We didn't just spend a year on a “school assessment”; we quite literally poured blood (I have a small blood stain on my corset from pricking my finger with a needle….) sweat and tears into our projects. We hope that the audience recognises that although we may only be emerging artists, we have so much to offer, and we can’t wait to learn and soak up every opportunity thrown our way.

Empowering the Next Generation of Emerging Artists

The journey of Hannah Gallagher and Amelie Carpenter represents the core philosophy of Bishop Druitt College: fostering academic excellence, personal passion, and world-prepared confidence. By providing students with dedicated mentorship, specialised facilities, and connection to industry experts, BDC empowers young adults to turn classroom learning into real-world impact.

The entire Bishop Druitt College community congratulates Hannah and Amelie on this monumental achievement. We look forward to following their journey at Eco Fashion Week Australia and celebrating their bright futures across the creative arts landscape.

Special thanks to Coffs Coast Focus magazine for conducting and sharing this feature interview.