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About
  Canwen Zhao

Canwen Zhao is a multidisciplinary fashion designer currently based in Melbourne, Australia.

she expertise in fashion design, graphic design, and trend IP design.

She has contributed to short film projects that have earned her international recognition and multiple nominations.

Currently, she is building the fashion brand “35 Thirty-Five” while also working as a costume and art director in the Melbourne film community.

 

Her project, “35 Life,” showcases sustainable fashion by using upcycled materials to create urban streetwear.

This collection, inspired by classic Chinese red and green hues, combines traditional aesthetics with modern style. The project has won multiple global nominations, including the 2023 Sustainable Fashion Award, and is exhibited at the National Wool Museum in Australia. Zhao integrates art, history, culture, and sustainable design, drawing inspiration from ancient Chinese philosophy.

Her designs are a unique blend of functionality and fashion.

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Experience/Achievement

Experience:

  • Costume designer| 「Forbidden Love」 | Maze Pictures Short TV | Apr.2024-May.

  • Art director |「Cover story」 | MINI TV | Jan.2024-Feb.2024 | Melbourne

  • Art director | 「 My Moonlit Alpha Prince 」 MINI TV Dec.2023-Jan.2024| Melbourne

  • Costume designer | 「My Personal Lycan King 」 Maze Pictures Short TV | Oct.2023-Nov.2023 | Melbourne

  • Character designer | Baidu | Aug.2021-Feb.2022 |Shenzhen.China

  • Interior Designer | Jinpeng Villa | Mar.2020-Jun.2021| Yueyang.China

  • Art director |「IDOL」Project: short film| Dec.2019| Melbourne.

  • Costume designer |「What We Are Own」Project: short film| Nov.2019 | Melbourne

  • Sales | Birds Of Prey | Jul.2016-Dec.2017 | Melbourne,VIC

Achievements:

IDOL | Short Film Project | Position: Costume Designer, Set Designer, Promotional Release Graphic Designer | 
Directed by Alex Wu, Produced by Jiapei Wu, Filmed in Melbourne.

  • 2020 Sydney Film Festival - Best Short Film, 

  • 2020 Brooklyn Film Festival - Spirit Awards - Best Narrative Short Film / Best Actor

  • 2020 Flash International Short Film Festival - Official Selection.

  • 2020 The Pas International Film Festival - Official Selection.

  • 2020 Australian Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards - Best Short Film

  • 2021 30th Flickerfest International Short Film Festival - Official Selection

  • 2022 Hong Kong Literary Film Festival - Official Selection

  • 2022 Bruges International Film Festival - Best Performance

  • 2022 Toronto Art Film Festival - Best Narrative Short Film

 35 LIFE | Sustainable Fashion Project | Designer | 2022-2023.

  • 2023 We the Makers Sustainable Fashion Award - Winner

  • 2023 China-Italy Young Future Fashion Designer Competition - Innovation Designer Award

  • 2023 PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival - Global Victoria Showcase - International Student Selection

  • 2023 iD International Emerging Designer Awards - Finalist

  • 2023 RMIT Graduate Residency Program -  Exhibition - Artist

  • 2024 NGV Melbourne Design Week -35 LIFE | TRADITION, TRANSFORMATION, REVOLUTION- Artist

What We Are Own | Short Film Project | Costume Designer|  Position: : Costume Designer |
Director: Yurou Zhang Producer: Daniel Chua, filmed in Melbourne.
  • 2020 Los Angeles Asian Film Festival Golden Diamond Award - Best Student Short Film

  • 2020 ATOM Award - Best Feature Short Film, Australia 

  • 2020 Sydney International Women's Film Festival - official selection

  • 2020 Hangzhou Youth Video Project Golden Lotus Leaf Award - official selection

  • 2020 Hainan International Film Festival - official selection

  • 2019 Work has been included in the 2019-2020 Australian Screen Guide.

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