SwapShop article in the Guardian

Following the UAL Swapshop in March, I spoke with a journalist for the Guardian who was researching an article about organising 'swishing' and clothes swapping parties in your place of work.

The link went live recently, click here to read the article, although the comments left by guardian readers below were not as enthusiastic as I am about clothes swapping with their colleagues. I guess the key to swapping clothes is to find the community who best fits your style!

EJF Pop Up Shop at Carnaby Street

Today I visited the Environmental Justice Foundation pop up shop at Carnaby Street (opposite end to Liberty). I love pop up shops and think they are a great way to get the message across to lots of shoppers about the issues surrounding the clothing we buy and making us aware of the values we need to consider when buying garments.

Raising awareness of their brilliant campaigns, check out their website here

The shop is selling great clothing brands such as:

Monkee Jeans, From Somewhere, Junky Styling, Goodone and Pants to Poverty, plus the collection of EJF designer organic and fair trade t-shirts.

The EJF pop up shop will also be the venue for the next EFF Social, on Thursday 29th April.

Fabric Scraps: Destination Unknown

I work at a lovely fabric shop, Ian Mankin selling fabric woven in the UK for interiors (but I also love using some of them for fashion too!)

We always have swatches and remnants left over from out of stock fabrics, one off designs that they decided not to continue and small cut offs from when we cut samples of fabric.

Yesterday I had a sort out through 2 large bags of remnants that had been kept although we could not sell them in the shop. This type of fabric waste must be produced by many other fabric shops, but what do they do with it?

I am happy to know that at the fabric shop we throw no fabric 'away', but we have lots of small scraps in store.

If anyone reading this vounteers for community sewing projects, runs a sewing class or works in a school with a textile department who are always on the look out for scraps of fabric to practice on through stitching, patchworking or quilting, etc. these small swatches are perfect and are lovely fabrics to work with.


Send me an email if you are interested as we have lots in store and are happy to see them sent to a happy home and used!

A Weekend Workshop at Home

Family, Clothes, Sewing Machine...Good Times!

Food Workshop @ Hackney City Farm

At a Food Workshop with fellow Hackney City Farm Green Ambassadors this afternoon, three of the main points the group focused on were also strongly linked to those that continuously appear within the debates and discussions around our sustainable fashion industry. With particular focus on these issues it was interesting to see that people pioneering and promoting sustainable lifestyles in whatever industry face recurring themes.

1) Value: Realising and appreciating the real cost.

FOOD - this was of particular importance in terms of understanding and appreciating the nutritional value of fresh produce, and also the effects our food can have on our environment, directly on our bodies and health and the health of those that farm it. The value of cooking a meal and having food readily available is something that many people take for granted when they have no connection to the farming, harvesting and distribution processes.

FASHION - understanding the value of clothing also can rely on the connections we have to our clothing and wether or not we feel connected to the process of manufacture. Appreciating the value of clothes often ensures a long use phase as they are less likely to be seen as disposable if regarded as a valued item.

VALUE= It is only when people see something as important or understand the value of something that they will change lifestyles. If you want to do something, if you regard it as important, you will incorporate it into your lifestyle long term.

2) Availability - Working only with what is available at certain times of the year.

FOOD - Growing, buying and cooking only seasonal produce is a great sustainable aim, and along the way promotes local produce, a respect for the environment and a necessary education of the way our food grows. Learning about what is in season shouldn't be seen as limiting, but as a natural approach to cooking and developing different recipies as the seasons come and go.

FASHION - One of the main elements within upcycling, is working with what is available. Although this cannot be controlled in the same way as the seasonal growing of food, the vast volume of unwanted and slightly damaged clothing sourced for upcycled garments inspires the design, working with what is available at certain times...letting the materials and garments available inspire what you create is one of the most exciting and unique elements of upcycling...

"The Artists, Craftsmen and Designers now suffer from the tyranny of absolute choice. When everything becomes possible, when all the limitations are gone, design and art can easily become a never ending search for novelty, until newness becomes the only measure."#

Victor Papanek, Design for the Real World. p.42

AVAILABILITY= This sould not be seen as limiting, but acknowledged as an element out of our control, and used to inspire creativity.

3 - Community and Learning - Involvement

FOOD - One of the great memories many people associate with food is the social environment in which it is eaten and shared. Cooking with family or friends, cooking for family and friends and eating with a group of people is something that should be harnessed to promote sustainable attitudes to food. Food communities, Growing Communitues, shared food boxes and community allotments are ways of bringing people together through the growing, cooking and eating of food, and through sharing these experiences we can learn a great deal.

FASHION - Feeling connected to and involved with the process of garment creation and learning through working in a group is something that also applies to many fashion initiatves. Stitch and Bitch, Garment Workshops and Clothes Swap parties bring people together to create or exchange clothing. When the process of learning, sharing and making is combined with a social event it is a great way for people to feel connected to the garments involved, which also linked to the previously mentioned topic of value.

COMMUNITY= Being involved in a community initiative promotes learning and action that when undertaken as part of a group makes you feel involved, responsible and more empowered as you help others to achieve a goal.

My Fashion Junkie

my fashion junkie

Thank you Ecoteurre

Thank You Ecoteurre for a lovely review!

Click Here to see their online article

SmockShop

My good friend Celina brought me back the catalogue from the recent Ethics+Aesthetics=Sustainable Fashion exhibition at the Pratt Manhattan Gallery in New York

Included in the catalouge was a paper pattern for the smock by Smockshop whose work had been exhibited.

I decided to make my version of the smock from the generic pattern insert within the catalogue out of some fabric that had been given to me a while ago and the belt from my Trench Transformation project.

In a similar way to the Design_Download project run by ShowStudio (and also exhibited at the Fashion Revolution exhibition at Somerset house) I find the individual and unique interpretations of the exact same pattern piece to be an exciting and fascinating example of creativity. Furthermore, the more that people contribute to the project by making their version of the smock, the more interesting and varied the collection of work. For smockshop, the mass production of their pattern by a workforce of individual makers, creating a one off piece, links the workforce within a smock community, expressing your unique voice and identity whilst also feeling part of a wider network.

Dani's Red Coat

Dani's red coat was no longer loved. Worn out and pulling at the seams, with a stained and ripped lining, the coat had been worn for 7 years as a coat and Dani felt it was time for a change, although she loved the colour and the fabric...upcycling was the only thing for it!

The jacket part was quite an easy job, replacing the lining and changing the shape just a little bit - the dress was a lot more fun, creating something 'new' and unique from a pre loved garment.

Both the new jacket and the dress made from the coat were a success, and are loved once more in their new forms by Dani.

Salvation Army Reusable Bag

Salvation Army Charity Shop Re-usable bag. Offering discounts on future products if you bring back your bag next time you shop at the Salvation Army.

UAL SwapShop -11.02.10

UAL Go Green Week
SwapShop

Including Designer Vintage Pop Up Stall from Milan

Knitting and Crochet workshop

Alterations and Customisation area

Speaker from TRAID:remade

and clothes to swap!

The event was a great success, everyone swapped the clothing they brought with them, many feeling relieved to be changing it for something 'new'. Swapping is a great and sustainable way to get a fashion fix. Celebrating the joy of discovering something new, even if it is no longer wanted and donated by someone else.

Estethica February 2010 Exhibitors

The successful candidates to show at Estethica this Fashion week (February 2010)

Ada Zanditon
Anatomy
Beautiful South
By Stamo
Elvis & Kresse Arts
Emesha
Environmental Justice Foundation
From Somewhere
Goodone
Henrietta Ludgate
Ivana Basilota
Izzy Lane
Joanna Cave
Junky Styling
KAYU
Lu Flux
Makepiece
MAXJENNY
Minna
Nina Dolcetti
The North Circular
Oria Jewellery
Oxfam
Pachacuti
SonyaKashmiri
Tara Starlet

Lyocell - A Poem

by Julia Roebuck

Lyocel is a fabric most commonly known,
As Tencel (its brand name) by those that own,
The Lenzig fibre brand making this fibre today,
It's recyclable and biodegradable, hooray!

It has a soft finish, packs lightly with ease,
And is made of wood pulp from eucalyptus trees,
A non toxic chemical called Amine Oxide,
Is used to break down the wood fibres inside,

This solvent amine oxide has two uses in the beginning,
To dissolve the cellulose and set the fibre after spinning,
Ninety nine percent of the chemical is always re-used,
To ensure the surrounding environment is not abused,

A spinneret device then comes into play,
Producing long fibres, which are dryed out like hay,
To be woven into cloth and used for many applications,
Not just for clothing but also medical situations,

This closed loop manufacture can also conserve,
Energy and water - precious resources to reserve,
The European Union thinks its such a success,
It gave the European Award for the Enviroment to the process,

Lyocel is absorbent, lustrous, drapes well and is splendid,
And also lends these qualities to the fabrics with which its blended,
This material is a winner, they aint playing us for clowns,
It's used by Patagonia, Jigsaw and Acne (stocked in Browns),

Production plant emissions into the air from smokestacks,
And wastewater are significantly lower, so relax!
In comparison to many other man-made fibre operations,
Switching to lyocel must be better for all nations?

However its only manufacture thats closed loop,
A sustainable fibre can only be better if it's used within a group,
Of changes made to the entire supply chain,
But it still leads me to one question:
Why aren't we using more of this again????!!

Nicolas Electric Blanket

My friend Nicola had a broken electric blanket...

She was going to throw it 'away'...(in the landfill)

But I took it apart...
And made it into something nicer...
And now she will keep it always...
But I still need to find an electrical recycling place for the broken wires!

Thrift @ Foyles

Walking past Foyles on Charing Cross Road yesteday I was surprised and overjoyed to see this window displaying book associated with thriftyness, and to see Foyles doing their bit to ease the stresses of recession. Buy a book that tells you how to save money!

As glad as I am to see the Junky Styling book in the window display, I don't understand why they left out three really cool craft/DIY books:

Making Stuff: An Alternative Craft Book

ReadyMade:How to Make (almost) Everything

Remake it-Home: The Essential Guide to Resourceful Living

Local Wisdom

Today I have been at the South Bank Centre, London,
assisting Kate Fletcher with a research project
titled 'Local Wisdom'.

"An on-going unique fashion project recording the clothes-based ingenuity of our communities"

It is great to see people so passionate about special items of clothing. Local Wisdom is a great platform for these hidden items with amazing stories and just goes to show that wonderful and special clothing can arise anywhere, for anyone at anytime.

If you have a garment that is special to you, bring it along to a local wisdom event, tell its story and be photographed wearing it.

The Local Wisdom website gives more information and lists 18 case studies of garments that people within communities have brought to their nearest Local Wisdom event. The stories of the garments are varied and give a fascinating insight as to why people feel more connected to certain garments and why these have more value than others.

UAL Go Green Week

SWAPSHOP@UAL
THURSDAY 11th FEBRUARY 2010
@HUB - Davies Street

Renew your wordrobe! Search your wardrobe for garments you never wear, bring them along, and swap them for ones you will wear and love!

There will be sewing machines on hand to get your clothes ‘up-cycled’ and some clothing customising workshops.

Come along any time with your unwanted clothing.

ALSO - Speakers from TRAID (Textile Recycling for Aid & International Development) http://www.traid.org.uk. AND -

AND - for one night only in London … the infamous Italian Vintage Stall from Milan … Mercatino Michela …

Hosted by the lovely MA Fashion and the Environment students from LCF in collaboration with the Centre for Sustainable Fashion (www.sustainable-fashion.com)

Any questions - fashionandtheenvironment@gmail.com

SUSTAINABLE FASHION NIGHT
(ETHICS+AESTHETICS=SUSTAINABLE FASHION)
FRIDAY 12th FEBRUARY 2010
@HUB _ Davies Street

An informal evening introducing and exploring the diverse and innovative areas of sustainability within the Fashion and Textile Industry. Hosted by MA Fashion and the Environment students from LCF.

Come along to learn more and find out why this is such a vitally important area of contemporary design, ask questions and even get help with ideas for projects.

Speakers from...

People Tree |
Ethical Fashion Forum |
Environmental Justice Foundation (also selling their t-shirts) |

...will discuss the work they do to play an important role in a changing industry. We will also be:

• Launching the UAL Sustainable Design Society
• Showcasing the Premiere of the MA Fashion and the Environment Film

Followed by a Q&A session
Bar will be open & maybe even some free drinks!
r.s.v.p. fashionandtheenvironment@gmail.com

Centre for Sustainable Fashion
http://www.sustainable-fashion.com

SHIFT Festival

This weekend sees the first graduate exhibition of MA Fashion and the Environment students from the London College of Fashion as part of the Shift Festival organised by Cape Farewell.

The Southbank Centre will be the base for this weekend of a:
"Stimulating, provocative and energising programme of climate-focused cultural events"

The Cape Farewell Residency at the Southbank centre is running from August 2007 - July 2010. Taken from the website:

“Nothing is more important than our planet, and we all responsible for its welfare: we are already beginning to experience the catastrophic effects of ignorance. But statistics and constant messages of doom are not necessarily the best way to face these challenges. I asked Cape Farewell to join us as Artists in Residence because of the important and unique work they are doing in bringing together the artistic and scientific communities in order to address issues around climate change, in highly imaginative and thought-provoking ways. Their residency is part of our vision for Southbank Centre to become a place for debate through artistic encounter.”
Jude Kelly, Artistic Director of Southbank Centre
The MA Fashion and the Environment Exhibition will run in the foyer of Queen Elizabeth Hall from:

FRIDAY 29 JANUARY 17.00 – 22.30
SATURDAY 30th Jan & SUNDAY 31st Jan 12.00 – 22.30

Included in the exhibition:

HIGHLIGHTS
From Fashioning the Future 2009, the international student awards for sustainability in fashion

REMADE IN LEEDS - SAT 30 JAN 12.00 – 17.00
Participatory sewing workshop run by MA graduate Lizzie Harrison

LOCAL WISDOM - SAT 30 JAN & SUN 31 JAN 12.00 – 17.00
An opportunity for you to share the story of a favourite garment by Kate Fletcher

ALL EVENTS FREE OF CHARGE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

!!!see you there!!!

QUEEN ELIZABETH HALL FOYER
SOUTHBANK CENTRE
BELVEDERE ROAD
LONDON SE1 8XX

The Green Carpet Challenge

Livia Firth (Colin Firths wife) has set herself the challenge to find beautiful red-carpet worthy creations that she will wear for the 2010 Awards Season. This venture however, is made even more exciting by the recent news that Colin Firth has been nominated for an Oscar! (Actor in a leading role). So there will be one dress out there that will be worn on the red carpet for the 82nd Academy Awards and could be photographed on the arm of a potential winner.

Livia is documenting her mission for the perfect dress for a blog on vogue.com

Blog

Her hunt for the best of luxurious sustainable design has included the work of Linda Loudermilk, Sara Shepherd, Stella McCartney and Made

07.03.10 Oscars
21.02.10 London BAFTAs - Colin Firth wins Best Actor: Yellow Silk dress by Leila Hafzi.
08.02.10 Paris Premiere - 'A Single Man': Bamboo Suit by Linda Loudermilk
01.02.10 London Premiere - 'A Single Man': Upcycled Dress by Sara Shepherd
23.01.10 Screen Actors' Guild Awards: Milk Fibre Dress by Casey Larkin Mr. Larkin

Metro Re-create in Association with Oxfam

above image from www.metro.co.uk

Metro launches their competition to encourage Art and Design students or graduates (of two years) to use the paper to inspire an artistic creation that responds to one of the four themes below:

Morning
Green
Free
Urban

And fits into one of the 3 categories:

Art
Design
Fashion and Jewellery

The deadline for entries is March 26th 2010. There are three great judges, one representing each of the three categories.

The winning pieces will also feature in the metro newspaper, online at metro.co.uk and in Oxfam stores. And 20 runners up prizes will be awarded to those who narrowly miss the top spot.

See the website for more information and to apply