Are You Going To Brighton Fashion Week?

We’ve had New York, London, Milan and Paris Fashion Week and now we have……Brighton! Yes Brighton Fashion Week is the next event on the Fashion calendar, and this year they are taking a bold move; the entire week is dedicated to sustainability. All the show’s designers will be using ethical practices in production of their garments, and they will be asked to make a pledge towards sustainability.

But can fashion ever be sustainable? In its very nature fashion is an ever-changing creature, as trends come and go. Liz Bishop, founder of Brighton Fashion Week, has put together a program of events that explore sustainability and pioneering ethical fashion. We can look forward to:

Catwalk Shows

On 16^th October the All Saints Church in Hove will be transformed for some groundbreaking catwalk shows.

Sustain Catwalk Show – An entire show dedicated to showcasing the work of environmentally conscious fashion, including award winning designers Kitty Ferreira and Rhiannon Hunt.

Zeitgeist Catwalk Show – A show that celebrates designers who are working on the cutting edge of fashion today, with fresh ideas and original concepts. Carlota Oms and Gabriella Sardena are just two of twelve designers featured.

Showreel – An international design competition, which challenges the designers to create “beauty from waste,” a prize of £1000 will be awarded to the winner.

Challenging Debates

SCAP – Every year an estimated £140 million worth of used clothing goes to landfill in the UK. Recycling experts WRAP have developed the SCAP initiative (Sustainable Clothing Action Plan). On 16^th October they will be challenging us through a series of talks to:

Re-invent how we design, market and sell clothes

Re-think how we use and consume clothes

Re-define what is possible through re-use and recycling of textiles.

Fashion Revolution – Co Founder, Orsola De Castro, will be speaking about her experiences of working in ethical fashion and upcycling.

Upcycling workshops

Love Your Clothes ‘Tonne of Clothes’ – From 15^th-17^th October, clothes donated by Cancer Research UK will be upcycled by artists, students and designers. There will also be workshops and demonstrations for us all.

Liz Bishop, founder of Brighton Fashion Week says,

“[…]2015 is looking to be our most exciting year yet. Making our events sustainable is a challenge that reflects our reputation for shaking-up the fashion mainstream.”

For tickets please click here.

For the schedule of events please click here.

All photos by Malcolm Tam Photography