The Artisanal Collective. Celebrating what is here. Imagining what is possible.
Connecting Australia’s specialist making capability with opportunity.
The Artisanal Collective is building a community around Australia’s specialist makers, businesses, skills and knowledge, helping this extraordinary capability become more visible, valued and accessible.
The Art of Pleating
A short film about specialist pleating knowledge in Australia, and what it takes to pass it on.
Directed by Clare Press, The Art of Pleating is our first film and founding project. It explores the future of specialist pleating knowledge in Australia, bringing together industry, education and creative practitioners to help ensure this remarkable skill continues.
Premiering at Melbourne Fashion WeekWednesday 21 October 2026, 2–3pmRMIT Building 80, MelbourneFree screening and talk
All 180 tickets have been allocated. Join the waitlist to hear if a place becomes available.
Our founding project and first short film.
Directed by Clare Press, The Art of Pleating explores the future of specialist pleating knowledge in Australia, bringing together industry, education and creative practitioners to help ensure this remarkable skill continues.
Premiered at Melbourne Fashion Week on 21 October 2026, the film celebrates the people, expertise and collaborations behind this remarkable craft.
In partnership with
This project is supported bythe Victorian Government through Creative Victoria
Behind every finished product is an often unseen network of people, skills and knowledge that makes it possible.
The Artisanal Collective was founded by Alida Milani following her 2024 ISS Institute Italian/Australian Fellowship, which explored how innovation, education and industry collaboration can sustain and strengthen specialist making skills.
It grew from a simple belief: Australia already has extraordinary making capability, and enormous potential in recognising, connecting and investing in the people and knowledge behind it.
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Are you a maker, designer, production business, brand, educator or simply interested in the future of Australian making?
Stay connected as we share stories, develop projects and bring people together.
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