Ocean-friendly fashion steals the show at the One Blue Heart gala

by Riggy Alinsoring

Since its invention in the late 1800s, plastic has become ubiquitous in our lives – in our homes, streets, oceans, and clothing. In fact, plastic-based fabrics make up more than 60% of what we wear.

On 16 February, the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation and The Good Machine hosted One Blue Heart, a blue-carpet, zero-waste gala dinner held at the One&Only at the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town. The event aimed to create awareness and raise money for a new Turtle Conservation Centre. Currently the Two Oceans Aquarium’s runs a rescue, rehabilitation, and release programme for endangered sea turtles. Many of these turtles come to the conservation centre because they have ingested ocean plastic pollution.

Holding up a mirror to the wasteful consumerist habits that result in ocean pollution, the gala prompted guests to reflect on what they eat, what they waste, and what they wear. With 130 guests in attendance, the room was reminiscent of an onshore seascape of guests, many wearing ocean-friendly fashion stitched with meaning.

Highlights included Twyg 2022 Changemaker Award winner, Cleo Droomer, who created a dress for Aaniyah Martin, founder of The Beach Co-op. As a zero-waste story-tailor, Cleo artfully combined pieces of ancestral fabrics belonging to his grandmother and Aaniyah’s grandmother to create an evening gown that balanced glamour with the deeper acknowledgement of clothing as a wearable archive.

Aaniyah says, “If you think of the turtle itself, it is an ancient being. This dress is a reminder that we need to carry our history with us, but also heal and bring joy. Remembering who we are and where we come from is important in building a community that cares.” Other participating slow fashion designers included VIVIERS Studio, The Bam Collective, Imprint Za and Nicola West of W35T.