How Sustainable fashion impacts African Fashion during Harmony Week Australia 2025

The sustainable impact of fashion wasn’t felt so strongly until Australia’s Harmony Week in March 2025!

What an exciting reveal during this Australian social events calendar. Revealing the significance of ethical clothing in Melbourne, whilst focusing on African fashion was a testamentto Melbourne’s multicultural city. In fact, the impact of this year’s Harmony Week was like no other, and there is only one reason I think of. Harmony Week cleverly harnesses the diverse landscape of Australia’s multicultural community.

One of the significant events during this week was organised by the Darebin City Council. Featuring some of Melbourne’s leading social enterprises such as SisterWorks, the SunRice Project, and other not-for-profits, Binnak Park in Watsonia North saw visitors arrive in droves. The theme for the City of Darebin was to show respect for all cultures and learn from each other.

And so, knowledge sharing it was, when Akos Creative put on a spectacular market stall, with its eclectic collection of colourful African fashion. Now, Africa is hugely diverse — and so is its array of handmade jewellery, accessories, and traditional Ankara fabrics. Sustainable fashion impacts many, including Australia’s wider multicultural communities. And so, what a proud moment of joy it served visitors!

Who can forget the social connections, dancing, culture, and market stalls during Harmony Week in Melbourne’s north at Binnak Park? The celebratory event was moved to a later date — March 30th — because of the unusual weather conditions Melbourne is so famous for. But this didn’t stop eager shoppers from flocking to the nearby Sports Oval.

By the time the sun began to settle softly over this vibrant part of Melbourne during Harmony Week, the weather had started to calm. Almost like magic, the strong, sweaty heat was swept away, leaving the air not too hot and not too cold. It was the perfect season to show off bright, bold, and happy fashion. African fashion fits right in — even though it often stands out in the sea of black, grey, and navy that many Aussies usually wear. After all, the social impact of Australia’s sustainable fashion was a major focus.

But before I share more about the market and the sustainability of Australia’s favourite fashion, let’s talk about what Harmony Week really means.

Harmony Week celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. That’s just a fancy way of saying — people from all over the world now live together in peace, side by side, here in Australia. It’s about understanding, respect, and love for all the different languages, foods, clothes, music, and lifestyles that mix together to make Australia so special.

So, what does “harmony” mean, apart from the impact of sustainable fashion?

Harmony is like when all the notes in a song sound good together. In the same way, sustainable fashion teaches us to value the clothes we wear. Just like each note in a song is different, so is the feeling when you choose ethical clothing. The difference in African fashion styles is like enjoying a variety of beautiful tunes. So yes — Harmony is Sustainable. It’s about embracing diversity, even in our taste for high-quality Australian fashion.

And just like each culture is different, we live together, side by side. Colourful African fashion — when created ethically — helps sustain the social fabric that holds our different communities together. We talk about values like respect for one another, and we share our differences with pride. Among those differences, we find and embrace ethical, sustainable, and unique African styles.

Isn’t it true that the world becomes a more peaceful place when we share our unique differences? I know I need variety in life to thrive. And to do that, I embrace my African heritage while enjoying the more eclectic offerings of suburban Melbourne.

My Harmony Week Market Story: Binnak Park Market

Now, back to the event! This year, I set up my stall at the Binnak Park Harmony Week Market. What a lovely and friendly vibe it had! The sun was shining, and the stalls were lined up with food, art, and clothes from every corner of the globe.

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon — everything felt calm and in perfect harmony. Diversity and joyful moments were destined to make their mark. And so it happened when a middle-aged Caucasian lady walked into my stall. Let’s call her Anna (not her real name). Her warm, friendly smile made me feel she had a little surprise for me.

As I welcomed her to take a closer look at my proudly handcrafted bead jewellery and colourful bomber jackets, I felt a good kind of excitement growing in my stomach. She was a lovely woman, and she walked happily towards my Akos Creative stall. She picked up one of my newly designed, colourful bracelets, and I could sense her quiet confidence.

Curious to learn more about this interested customer, I leaned in and we started chatting. And then — she dropped the surprise! Anna had been born and raised in Nigeria. Oh my! My voice leaped with joy before my skinny legs could!

“So, you know our West African fashion style very well,” I said out loud with excitement.

Who doesn’t know Nigeria? It’s a large West African country with a landmass and population about five times that of Ghana. Like Ghana, my own beloved country, Nigeria was once under British rule, which is why English is the main language there.

Anna shared her childhood memories of growing up in Nigeria. She spoke about the simple life, the bright and colourful fashion, and of course — beads.

She told me that even after moving back to Australia, those memories never left her. It was no surprise when she picked up one of my bracelets — the colours had reminded her of home.

We both felt a happy connection, and for a brief moment, Nigeria and Australia were linked — all through a simple piece of jewellery.

African Fashion: More Than Style, It’s Connection

The social impact of African fashion is felt not only in Australia but all around the world — from Nigeria to Ghana, and beyond. Here in Australia, sustainably made West African fashion is helping to bridge the gap between cultures.

In Australia, sustainable fashion influences individual choices and personal style. You see, many people here often dress in dark colours — black, grey, navy. It’s stylish and safe, but sometimes the streets can look a little dull.

That’s why introducing African fashion and jewellery — with bold prints, bright beads, and colourful fabrics — is something truly special. It’s like adding sunshine to a cloudy day. It’s a brave choice, but it makes people smile. And that is exactly the kind of social impact sustainable fashion is having here in Australia.

In America, many Black Americans are already embracing their African roots. They understand the social impact of sustainable fashion, which is incredible. Seeing African fabrics, beads, and headwraps at festivals and even in everyday life means so much to us.

Here in Australia, the wave is still growing. But the beauty of Harmony Week is that it invites more people to explore and learn about different cultures — including African fashion. Ethical fashion, without a doubt, is one of the best ways to sustain both culture and diversity.

Who Makes Up Australia’s Diversity?

Australia’s diversity is wide and rich. Let’s break it down!

First, we have the First Nations peoples:
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. They are the Traditional Owners of this land. Their culture is one of the oldest on Earth — full of deep wisdom, art, and storytelling.

In a similar way, African culture is also ancient and rich, carrying sustained cultural treasures that continue to inspire the world.

Akos Creative humbly acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we live, create, and sell our African fashion. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

Then, we have many other cultural groups:

• The African Diaspora: These are people who moved or whose families moved from African countries like Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Africa. The word “diaspora” means “spread out” or “scattered.”

• Hispanics and Latinos: Families from places like Mexico, Argentina, and Chile.

• Europeans: From Italy, Greece, Britain, Ireland, Germany, and many more.

• Asians: From countries like China, Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Vietnam, and more.

All these groups bring their own flavours, traditions, and fashion. It’s like one big global family living together! Here is what I mean by sustaining harmony in diversity.

What Does Harmony Mean to Me?

Now, let me ask you a question:
What does harmony mean to you in a world filled with so many cultures, languages, and lifestyles? Or perhaps, for you, it’s about ditching fast fashion for something more sustainable and meaningful.

For me, harmony is about having the chance to learn from people whose lives are different from mine. When I meet someone from another place, I don’t see differences as something scary — I see them as an adventure! Their stories, their ideas, their fashion — all of it helps me grow.

I am not the same person I was before moving to Australia from Ghana. I’ve learned so much here. The harmony and kindness I’ve found within Melbourne’s diverse community have shaped me. It has been a true gift. Along the way, I’ve also learned — through my own mistakes — the importance of maintaining sustainable fashion practices within the diaspora.

From Fabric Offcuts to Fashion Dreams

Let me bring our focus back to the sustainable fashion business here in Australia. Many of you already know that my Akos Creative journey began with something very small — fabric offcuts. Yes, those leftover pieces from making clothes back in Ghana! About eight years ago, I started crafting with those pieces, mixing African prints with Australian fashion ideas. And I must say, this is where my love for sustainability truly took root — just like my heritage.

What began as a fun hobby soon blossomed into a business. In future articles, I’ll walk you through how to start a jewellery business in the diaspora. Doing business in Australia is very different from doing business in Africa. But today, I have the joy and pride of sharing Ghanaian styles with people in Australia. Harmony Week reminds me why this journey is so meaningful.

Why African Fashion Feels Like Home

African fashion is more than just clothing — it tells stories. The social impact of sustainable fashion stretches across time and borders. Every bead, every fabric print, and every stitch holds meaning. Whether it’s a Ghana Kente cloth, an Ankara print dress, or a beaded bracelet, it all connects back to traditions that are hundreds of years old.

When I wear African fashion here in Australia, I feel two things: First, I feel proud of where I come from. Second, I feel happy to share my culture with others. That is harmony in action. Sustainable fashion is also about cultural preservation. It’s about bridging the gap between the African lifestyle we knew back home and the lives we are building in new places like Australia. For you, it might be Africa to Paris, or Africa to America, or anywhere else in the world. Just remember — sustainability is about making thoughtful choices. Choose ethical fashion that speaks responsibly to your personal style.

African Diaspora Lens: Telling Our Stories Online

If you’d like to see more of our sustainable African fashion — or even learn how to make your own jewellery — check out our YouTube channel, African Diaspora Lens.

We share DIY craft and jewellery-making videos there. Our goal is to spread African creativity and encourage people to explore global fashion, right from their own homes.

You’ll also meet other creators who blend cultures through their work. Whether you’re in Australia, Ghana, or anywhere else in the world, you’ll find ideas to inspire your own fashion journey. And don’t forget — my EthicalPreneur YouTube channel features even more DIY jewellery-making videos. Watch it now!

The Future is Bright and Colourful

Harmony Week in Australia this year was definitely more than just another date on Melbourne’s event calendar. For me, it’s a reminder that even though we come from different places, we can build lasting friendships, thriving businesses, and sustainable dreams together. All it takes is bringing to the table the best of our ethics, values, and a true acceptance of one another’s differences.

At the market, Anna reminded me of this simple truth. One bracelet brought back memories of her childhood in Nigeria, while giving me the chance to share my own story from Ghana.

This is the power of sustainable fashion. This is the meaning of harmony. So, whether you’re a lover of bright colours or someone who usually sticks to black — give African fashion a try! You never know which part of the world it might take you.

Akos Creative: Where Fashion Meets Culture

At Akos Creative, we believe fashion can bring people together. We aim to harmonise the old with the new, the bold with the classic, and the African with the Australian.

Our dream is to keep blending cultures and styles — one bracelet, headwrap, and jacket at a time. Our dream is to sustain our cultural heritage by sharing ethical clothing with everyone. And what a beautiful dream it is.

Stay Connected!

Want to explore more? Click the links on this page to visit our social media and see what’s new.
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
And if you love hands-on fun, check out our DIY videos on African Diaspora Lens.

We hope to see you at the next Harmony Week event. Let’s meet, share stories, and celebrate the beauty of every culture — one piece of fashion at a time.

Stay blessed, friends!
Akos Creative.