Ethical Fashion Event: Turning London’s Wardrobes Green
Music. Fashion. Art. Grafitti. Catwalk. Film.
This underground catwalk event will showcase an array of vintage clothing, along with ethically sourced and upcycled designs by Emma Rees and Feng Ho and jewellery by Caipora. Attendees can contribute to a recycled fashion creation, as well as enjoy live graffiti, video installations and beats by Elad.
Fashion Deconstructed aims to demonstrate that ethical fashion is both stylish and relevant, subverting trends by outlasting them. Organised by the Christian Aid Collective, Fashion Deconstructed will be held from 5-8pm at a secret London location. Hints and messages disclosing the final details will be left online at: fashiondeconstructed.co.uk
Combining art, music and film, the event will take the public on a journey through the production and supply chain of a typical high street garment, engaging them in the story of those who make the clothes and how they are transported from factory to shop to wardrobe. Through interactive exploration, the impact the textile industry has on the global environment will be exposed.
‘The way clothes are made and purchased are a contributing factor to climate change,’ explains organiser Sofya Shahab. ‘From the water and pesticides used to make the cotton in T-shirts, to the 1.2 million tonnes of clothing left to decompose in land fill sites each year, the textile industry is releasing a steady stream of toxic gases such as methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This is contributing to global climate change, which is already affecting millions of people living in developing countries as extreme weather patterns, droughts and floods destroy their livelihoods. These are the very people that have done the least to cause the problem.’
The Christian Aid Collective is a growing community of young campaigners challenging the structures that keep people in poverty. Through Fashion Deconstructed, they will show how ethically sourced, sustainable products are not only helping the planet, but are fun, witty and fashion forward.
In support of new and emerging designers, the Collective partnered with Berlin’s Front Row Society to run a competition to produce a design for a bag inspired by the world around us, highlighting the impact climate change is having on the environment and those living in developing countries. The winner will be announced during the event.
Bianca Parry, Youth Manager for Christian Aid, said ‘It’s up to us to shape the world we want to inherit in 20 years time. We have the power to change the future through the choices we make today. By reusing, rewearing and recycling our clothes we can assert individuality whilst also benefitting the environment.’
**ENDS**
If you would like further information please contact Sofya Shahab on 020 7523 2161/sshahab@christian-aid.org
Notes to Editors:
1. The Christian Aid Collective is Christian Aid’s new youth brand. At Christian Aid we believe this emerging generation will be part of the movement that sees an end to global poverty. The goal behind the Collective website launching Spring 2012 is to engage, inspire and resource them for this task.
2. Christian Aid works in some of the world's poorest communities in nearly 50 countries. We act where the need is greatest, regardless of religion, helping people build the lives they deserve.
3. Christian Aid is a member of the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of 100 churches and church-related organisations that work together in humanitarian assistance and development. Further details at http://www.actalliance.org/
4. Follow the Christian Aid Collective’s newswire on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/TheCAcollective
5. For more information about the work of Christian Aid visit www.christianaid.org.uk