Join us at Sustainable Fashion Week, where we’ll be joining forces with Highgrove Traditional Crafts to host a series of clothing repair and restoration workshops followed by a panel discussion.
Small Steps Towards A More Sustainable Future will explore ideas around fashion’s environmental and social impact, inviting members of the public to listen and engage with sustainable fashion in practical and empowering ways.
READ MORE: What is Second Hand September? How to Take Part and Everything Else You Need to Know
The practical nature of the workshops will demonstrate the value and longevity of clothing, allowing our audience to leave with not just a new or refreshed garment, but also a refreshed mindset on the, often overwhelming, issue of sustainability.
STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO CHOOSE FROM 2 WORKSHOPS.
Workshop 1: The Handbag Clinic Present: How To Preserve and Extend the Life of Your Handbag
Hosted by The Handbag Clinic, this workshop will include an introduction from The Handbag Clinic and a demonstration of how to clean your handbag using a specialist repair kit provided by the brand.
Students will be introduced to The Handbag Clinic brand, the importance of protecting their bags from day one, and be given an overview on different leather types and how to look after their specific material needs.
As part of this workshop participants will have the opportunity to take part in a ‘Beat the Artisan’ challenge, where they will get to follow a set of instructions and work on leather off-cuts with areas of damage. All materials will be provided by The Handbag Clinic using The Handbag Clinic protection kits.
Workshop 2: Amy Isles Freeman Presents: Decorative Denim Upcycling With Illustration
Amy Isles Freeman is a Brighton based artist, who’s joyful hand painted clothing and illustrative work celebrates female sexuality, freedom and nature. In this practical workshop, students will have the opportunity to give new life to an article of clothing or textile piece with painting techniques.
Participants will be introduced to Amy and her practise and understand her influences and sources of inspiration. Students will learn how to mix paints and apply them to fabric before choosing colour palette. Students will be guided through a variety of brushes and techniques and will be give the opportunity to create shapes and add freehand details to their denim.
Workshop 3: Atelier Stroud Present: Meet Make Mend
Perfect for beginners. In this practical course, students will have the opportunity to bring their broken clothes and mend them together.
This friendly sewing workshop focuses on empowering attendees to repair items for themselves. Students will be guided through a range of repair techniques including darning, embellishing and altering, giving their clothing pieces a new lease of life so they are wearable for years to come.
Atelier Stroud have been running Meet Make Mend workshops from their base in Stroud and advocate for the repair and restoration. Their vision is to create a space where everybody can experience enjoyment of making and creating, empowering individuals to make their own or change what you already have.
Panel Discussion
Following the workshops, Charlotte Staerk, CEO of The Handbag Clinic, Amy Isles Freeman and Wear Next Founder & Editor Daisy Jordan will take part in a panel discussion.
The event will take place at Barley Court Studios, Highgrove traditional crafts, Doughton, Tetbury GL8 8TQ on Thursday 22nd of September 2022.
