Fashion Revolution Week is around the corner! I loved 2016 and 2017’s iterations, but I have a feeling 2018 is going to top them all. The ethical fashion scene has been simmering under the radar for a while, but it feels like it’s almost reaching boiling point now – and many brands are taking note.
Alongside the fashion labels this year are organisations, artisans, and entrepreneurs all taking steps to highlight the kinder way to source clothing and style ourselves. With so many to choose from, I’ve created a guide to the week that will be appealing to minimalists, maximalists, and everyone in-between.
While I’ll be out of action from Monday to Wednesday as I attend a digital detox retreat in Wales, I’ll be coming back raring to go for the rest of the week, and I’d love to hear if you’re attending any of these alongside me…
Monday
London Sustainable Fashion Rooms Launch
Old Truman Brewery, London E1, 17:00-19:30, Free
The Truman Brewery plays home to the London Sustainable Fashion Rooms, a week-long pop-up for green events across Fashion Revolution Week. On Monday they launch and start with speed networking, a great chance to rub shoulders with designers and change-makers alike.
Kitty Ferreira Pop-Up
Pepper Street, London E14, Monday-Sunday, Free
Kitty Ferreira in association with 1 Love Community joins forces with Bourgeois Bohème, Gung Ho and others to create a carefully curated ethical fashion pop-up that offers in-store repairs, mending and alterations, as well as panel talks and workshops that embody the spirit of Fashion Revolution Week.
Edinburgh’s 1138 Festival
Around Edinburgh, Monday-Wednesday, Free
In memory of the 1138 people who lost their lives in the Rana Plaza disaster, the 1138 Festival will be putting on events over the course of the first three days of Fashion Revolution Week. All events are free except for their Poetry Slam & Club Night, £2 entry.
Tuesday
Swap & Style with Love Not Landfill
LM Barry Textile Recycles, London E16, 10:00-12:00, £15 (refunded on arrival)
See where your clothes really go when you throw them out at Love Not Landfill’s event. Held at a real textile recycling plant, you’ll get to rummage for a few stellar finds, as well as having yourself styled and photographed by professionals on the day.
Going Green in 2018
Online, 18:30-21:00, £12
Hear Fashion Revolution’s Founder, Ava Holmes, alongside Ruby & Christabel Reed of The Advaya Initiative, Ethical Brand Directory Founder, Roberta Lee, and President of Eco-Fashion Week Myriam Laroche in a digital panel discussion about their stories into ethical living, fashion, and why it’s important we keep the revolution going.
Sarabande Studios x Fashion Revolution
Sarabande Foundation, London N1, 19:00-21:00, Free
The legacy foundation of Lee Alexander McQueen, Sarabande Studios will be talking with Fashion Revolution’s Creative Director, Orsola de Castro, and law firm Baker McKenzie, on the benefits transparency holds both for consumers and as an act against slavery.
Wednesday
How To Shop Consciously
The Hoxton, London WC1, 18:30-21:30, Free
As part of their How To series, The Hoxton will be hosting Birdsong London, The Keep Boutique, People Tree, and Rêve en Vert for panel talks and a pop-up shop too.
Clothes Swap & Mending Circle
Bristol Textile Quarter, 18:00-20:30, Free
For anyone based in Bristol, head on down to Bristol’s textile-focussed co-working space with swappable clean clothes, torn items, and your sewing kits for a night of chatter, nibbles, and drinks with the founders of Awamaki, Tamay and Me, and Project Pico.
Thursday
Mind Over Matter Workshop
Eldon Building, Portsmouth, 14:00-15:30, Free
Join Designer, Artist and Educator, Georgina Hooper from SU:STAIN as she explains why we need to respect our clothes more, and how mending and prolonging the life of our favourite pieces is easier than we think.
Eco Sewing Party
Broadway Market, London E8, 18:30-21:30, £5
Fabrications teams up with Offset Warehouse to impart the make do and mend mentality for all, inviting beginners through to experts to enjoy and share their vital skills in prolonging a sustainable wardrobe.
Friday
People Tree: Behind The Brand
Old Truman Brewery, London E1, 16:00-19:00, Donation
People Tree is one of the first ethical fashion brands I came into contact with, and they’re cemented as one of the leading brands in the movement in my mind. Meet the Buyers, Designers, and Production Team to hear how they do things differently.
Saturday
Ethical Brands for Fashion Revolution
Museum of Brands, London W11, 10:00-17:00, Free
Join Ethical Hour and Where Does It Come From? as they showcase their Fashion Revolution film and introduce you to new, independent, and ethical businesses all making the world a better place.
The Ethical Fashion & Vegan Revolution Debate
Old Truman Brewery, London E1, 11:00-12:00, £7
Listen to the likes of Saffia Minney, Bel Jacobs, Kate Arnell of Eco Boost, Zoe Partride of Wear The Walk, and more discuss the rise of ethical fashion, vegan living, and where it’s going to go next.
Who Made My Activewear?
Benk + Bo, London E1, 10:00-17:30, £10 per session
Join yogis and designers alike at Zara Williams’ event that fuses fashion with consciousness in a series of active sessions, as well as a panel talk. I’m looking forward to hearing from the likes of Heather Knight, Branding, Design and Communications at Fashion Revolution, Cora Hilts, Founder of Rêve En Vert and Phoebe Greenacre, Yoga Instructor and CEO of Silou London.
DIY #FashRev2018
I realise a lot of the listed events are London-based, but Fashion Revolution Week is for more than just attending talks and pop-ups. If you’re outside of the city, or can’t make any of these, make your own statement with the help of Fashion Revolution’s free resources, perfect for social sharing, blogging, or sticking in your window or bedroom wall.
You can also enjoy Birdsong’s Worker to Wearer Films, five films that show how they are creating a different way of working that treats and empowers all their staff equally, or screen Riverblue for yourself and friends as the eco fashion documentary is now free to watch on their site.
Above all, ask your favourite retailers #WhoMadeMyClothes? and I hope you enjoy the positive spirit that ethical fashion brings!
Photo credit: Raw Pixel
