The Independent and Falmouth University say they are teaming up to deliver an event entitled “Our Climate Present”- an immersive day of talks and workshops that will delve into the importance of sustainable fashion and solutions. The event will take place on Thursday 5 December, to mark World Climate Day (8 December) at the Fashion and Textile Museum in London. The collaborative event aims to inspire attendees to rethink their relationship with fashion, especially in the lead up to the holiday and gifting season, and to promote actionable steps towards a more sustainable future.
The Independent says the event will feature a range of hands-on activities, including mending workshops, a participatory People’s Assembly, and a lecture led by the renowned Alice Holloway, who is a designer, fashion commons and bootstrap entrepreneurship researcher, lecturer at Royal College of Art, centre manager of The Remakery Makerspace in Brixton, and founder of the London Urban Textiles Commons.
The goal is to empower attendees with practical skills and collective solutions to combat the climate crisis through fashion.
Tom Crisp MA (RCA), course leader: MA Sustainable Fashion at Falmouth University commented: “With 2024 projected to be the hottest year on record, it’s imperative we take collective action to respond to the climate emergency. MA Sustainable Fashion is excited to be coming together with The Independent for World Climate Day to deliver talks and workshops dedicated to how fashion can lessen its impact on the environment.”
Caroline Garland of The Independent and a student at Falmouth University said: “It’s exciting to be coming together to stimulate inspiring, practical ways to make a difference to the world whilst celebrating brilliant, mindful fashion. Our aim is to help people approach Christmas a little differently, putting sustainability and thoughtful creativity at the heart of gift giving.”
The Independent outlines the event schedule as follows:
10:30am - 12:30pm: Repair Workshop with Rebel Patch
Bristol-based Rebel Patch re-invents the iron-on or sew-on patch through combining it with art or photographic images. Participants will learn essential mending skills, such as darning, sashiko stitching, and patchwork, empowering them to extend the life of their clothing and challenge the throwaway culture. This workshop is designed for beginners and emphasises the mental health benefits of mindful, hands-on activities.
1:30pm - 4:30pm: People’s Assembly by Fashion Act Now
Attendees will collectively deliberate on the three gifts they wish to see from the fashion industry this Christmas, in a session led by Fashion Act Now's founder Sara Arnold. Through interactive discussions, participants will explore the impact of fast fashion and co-create demands for a more sustainable future. This session will be facilitated by OurCommon.Market, an online platform for community-based fashion, clothing and textile practices, together with Falmouth University and input from industry changemakers and activists.
5:00pm - 6:00pm: Talk by Alice Holloway
Designer, lecturer and researcher Alice Holloway will explore the potential of the gift economy in building sustainable fashion communities. She will discuss how collaborative, community-driven initiatives can serve as a response to the climate crisis.
6:0 pm - 7:00pm: Special Exhibition Viewing
Guests are invited to a private viewing of the Fashion and Textile Museum’s latest exhibition, Outlaws: Fashion Renegades of 80s London, celebrating the rebellious spirit of fashion history.
The Independent says, with a whole day of activity, the event will offer an opportunity for attendees to connect, learn, and take meaningful actions towards a more sustainable holiday season. Complimentary refreshments will be provided throughout the day.
Tickets are free and can be ordered via: Our Climate Present Tickets, Thu, Dec 5, 2024 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite.
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