The future of fashion is sizeless, ageless and genderless.

A Gen Z designer told us exactly what's next when it comes to fashion.

Aug 07, 2024

As a ‘95 baby, I like to think of myself as a zillennial. Some days, I strongly identify with my millennial side (Harry Potter was my entire personality in the noughties), and other days, I’m definitely Gen Z (wide-leg over skinny jeans, soz).

But honestly, both generations can be a bit… confusing. Millennials, why do you pause for 10 seconds before starting a video? And Gen Z, the length of your socks really isn’t that big of a deal, is it?

The great sock debate aside, Gen Z has brought a lot of positive change to fashion. For one, they’re all about embracing slow fashion and thrifting, and they’ve tossed outdated beauty standards in the bin.

On this week’s episode of Nothing To Wear, Leigh Campbell is joined by emerging Gen Z designer Jeorge Bradford.

Image: Iti Clothes.

Jeorge is the genius behind Iti Clothes, a conscious fashion label that offers unisex, one-size clothing—basically the opposite of fast fashion.

Instead of focusing on trends that come and go, they sell handmade items made from second-hand or end-of-roll fabrics.

It’s brilliant, which is why when Jeorge came on the pod to talk about the future of fashion, we were SAT.

Before we get into it, you can listen to the episode here.

Now let’s get into what Jeorge had to say…

What makes Gen Z’s approach to fashion different.

While millennials have historically followed trends (especially ones worn by reality stars like Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian), Gen Z values creative expression instead.

“I’ve noticed a focus on expressing individuality. Gen Z focuses so much less on stock standard versions of beauty and what is ‘cool’,” said Jeorge.

How younger designers are approaching gender.

The next generation really values gender fluidity. Clothing should be for everyone, and no one should feel limited because of how they identify.

“In a lot of ways gender is irrelevant, especially in a lot of fashion spaces,” he said.

“I try and make things that are not necessarily masculine and not necessarily feminine. It’s always somewhere in the middle.”

Why thrifting is more valuable than you think.

When shopping in store, things can start to look basic and repetitive. Everyone seems to be selling the same style of skirt and one way to get out of that rut is to buy second-hand.

“I definitely buy my basics from Depop and second-hand stores because it’s more ethical, but it also feels a little more special because you can’t buy those items in store anymore,” said Jeorge.

Gen Z is rejecting conventional beauty standards.

There’s no doubt that beauty standards of the past have been incredibly damaging. So when Jeorge said he’s not looking to be told “what’s cool” anymore, it made my zillennial heart sing.

“I’m not interested in the machine of the fashion industry. I’m not really looking to be told what’s cool, what’s on trend or what I should be engaging in, or even what I should be spending my money on,” Jeorge said.

Sizing is becoming more and more irrelevant.

There’s a lot of things that makes Iti stand out, one of them being their one size garments. For Jeorge, it was important that everyone could wear his brand, rather than a select few.

“I really wanted to make [the clothes] large and oversized so more people can experience wearing them. I like to think the Iti shirt transforms seamlessly from size to size.”

Bougie & Budget.

Leigh and Jeorge highlighted their favourite up-and-coming Aussie designers, both bougie and budget-friendly, showing that you don’t need to look elsewhere for unique pieces.