Including discussions led by legendary fashion activist Katharine Hamnett, upcycling workshops with LVMH Prize-nominated designers, and ‘future manifesto’ tattooing salons
Marking six years since the Rana Plaza factory collapsed in Bangladesh, taking the lives of 1,138 garment workers, Fashion Revolution Week is underway again. With the intention of making industry a better place for all, the movement is slowly changing the face of fashion – holding brands accountable for ensuring their supply chains are safe, ethical, and sustainable, and encouraging consumers to make conscious decisions when it comes to the clothes they choose to buy.
As well as releasing its annual Transparency Index, each year, Fashion Revolution partner with a multitude of labels and designers to open up conversations surrounding industry issues. In 2019, there are more than ever before – and everyone is invited. Here are some of the events happening this weekend that are not to be missed.
50M x FASHION REVOLUTION
As part of a collaboration with Fashion Open Studio, experimental concept store 50m has partnered with the British Council and Fashion Revolution to host a week-long series of events, panels, and talks. LVHM semi-finalist Duran Lantink is setting up a pop-up and holding workshops from the April 25 – May 2, asking people to bring in their old designer clothes to be given a new lease of life, under the apt title ‘Deconstruction and Reassembling’. Elsewhere, H&M Design Award winner and Westminster grad Priya Ahluwalia will be in conversation with Tamsin Blanchard on April 26, while anonymous collective CONGREGATION is hosting a workshop on 27 April, offering attendees a look into their disruptive and innovative design process.
CENTRAL SAINT MARTINS X FASHION REVOLUTION: SUSTAINABILITY AS A CULTURE
The fourth of Slow Club’s critically acclaimed Study Hall series will be held at Central Saint Martin’s Granary Building on April 27. The day’s impressive line-up includes Slow Club founder Céline Seeman, Fashion Revolution co-founders Orsola de Castro and Carry Somers, designer Mara Hoffman, Stella McCartney’s head of sustainability, Claire Bergkamp and G-Star RAW’s Adriana Galijasevic. Running across a full afternoon, you’ll find panels on authenticity and design, circularity, and cancel culture.
PHOEBE ENGLISH: QUILTING FROM WASTE
As part of Open Studio’s global series of events for Fashion Revolution Week, British designer Phoebe English is hosting an evening of quilting and discussion on April 25. The night kicks off with a talk on how she tackles sustainability within her own label, followed by a quilting workshop using black waste fabrics which are leftover from studio production. You’ll be able to get fully hands-on, making a quilt that will later be exhibited as part of the label’s ongoing ‘quilting from waste’ project.
KNOW THE ORIGIN: POP-UP AND PANEL TALKS
Know The Origin, an online store specialising in transparent and ethical brands, is marking the week with a pop-up shop in Soho from April 23 – May 4. The 59 Greek Street location is also playing host to a series of nightly talks. Panellists include Labour MP Mary Creagh, the founders of homegrown brand Birdsong and spokespeople for Fairtrade, Fashion Revolution, and Drapers. Take you pick from topics like tech for good, sustainable sourcing, and feminism in business.
WOOL AND THE GANG x BLACK GIRL KNIT CLUB
Wool and the Gang, the brand out to make crafting accessible and sustainable, are teaming up with Black Girl Knit Club for an accessories making workshop on April 26. The knit club was formed earlier this year as a response to the lack of diversity in crafts. Head along to craft your own accessories using WATG’s recycled ‘Jersey Be Good’ t-shirt yarn and traditional West African cloth.
KATHARINE HAMNETT x FASHION REVOLUTION: STOP FASHION KILLING THE EARTH
Back in the late 1980s, Katharine Hamnett was the first fashion designer to uncover and highlight the ethical and environmental impact of fashion, spending the three decades since endeavouring to change it. At a donations-based event on April 27, the legendary fashion pioneer will be discussing the need for legislation to drive change for garment workers, farmers, fashion employees, and the industry at large. Get there early – there’s a signed archive activist t-shirt for the first 30 people through the door.
COMMUNE-ALL SUSTAINABLE FUTURES RAVE
Taking place at Shoreditch’s Curtain Hotel on April 26, CommuneEAST will host the latest of its In Bed With… series, opening up conversations on how to avoid a capitalist, non-functional, dystopian future, and how to engage, take action, and make a difference as we move further into the climate crisis Extinction Rebellion have been working so hard to inform us of. Featuring appearances from Katharine Hamnett, tattoo artist Dominic Myatt, sustainably minded designer Tolu Coker, and LNCC’s conscious collection buyer Eshaan Dhingra, there are also a series of workshops and activities to take part in: “Bring your naked skin for tattooing your mission, your old wardrobe for new considerations, and your old papers and magazines for fresh thoughts” instructs the event listing.