Sustainable Fashion Event at Cathedral Aims to Address Textile Industry’s Environmental Impact

An event focused on sustainable fashion, hosted at a cathedral, seeks to draw attention to the textile sector’s environmental footprint. Titled “Fashion on Earth,” the initiative will showcase apparel “created in harmony with nature” and feature a market for creators, poetic recitations, public readings, commitments, musical acts, and a runway presentation. Organized by Sustainable Fashion Week [SFW], this gathering at Bristol Cathedral will take place with artist Luke Jerram’s immersive display, Gaia: Our Home Planet, as its visual setting. Amelia Twine, founder of SFW, stated, “We want people to come away feeling something rather than just having information.” She further commented, “There is increasing evidence that fashion is killing the Earth, and we’re inviting people to join with us now to rethink their relationship with clothing and nature.” Ms. Twine noted that this particular show adopts a distinct methodology compared to SFW’s typical activities, integrating performance art, poetry, and visual displays, “where we would normally opt for the power of skills learning, swaps and talks.” Lauren Reed, who serves as stylist and director for the community catwalk, remarked, “Community is key to change.” She explained, “The creative inspiration for the runway comes from looking at the current state of the Earth’s soil and how we can work towards a regenerative approach.” Reed concluded, “If a community can pull together like this we are unstoppable.” Emma Hague, representing South West England Fibreshed, commented, “Creating fashion that acknowledges planetary boundaries and our interconnectedness with nature is so important.” She also stated, “Using the gravitas of the cathedral to frame this conversation not only amplifies what we are exploring at Fashion on Earth, but also gives us a platform for celebration.” Ms. Twine clarified that despite the continued expansion of fast fashion labels like Shein, there has been a “massive uptake in awareness” regarding sustainable fashion practices, encompassing a significant increase in the purchase of pre-owned items. A study conducted by the online resale platform Thred Up indicates that by 2030, the sales volume of previously owned garments is projected to surpass that of fast fashion. The designers selected for this occasion utilize diverse materials, such as repurposed textiles, certified organic cotton, and locally sourced, regenerative wool. Individuals from the local community will serve as models for the evening, with additional representation provided by Able Model Management, an agency that provides modeling chances to those who perceive themselves as underrepresented. Make-up and beauty students from South Gloucestershire and Stroud College will offer their assistance. The Fashion on Earth event is scheduled to occur at Bristol Cathedral, commencing at 18:30 GMT on November 6. For updates, follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story submissions can be sent via email or WhatsApp at 0800 313 4630. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.