Fashion & Fairytale is all about inspiring the next generation of sustainable fashion designers, but what do we actually mean by sustainable?
It is safe to say that there is no way in which fashion, by its very nature, can be 100% sustainable; its a complicated industry. The production of water greedy, fast fashion, synthetic fabrics accounts for some of the worst types of pollution thanks to the associated dyes and plastics that run into our water systems and the fossil fuels burned to mass produce and transport clothing across the planet. Even organic cotton, which is often viewed as a more ethical choice, requires more than 5,000 gallons of water to produce enough material for one t-shirt and one pair of jeans.
So what does Fashion & Fairytale think we can do to tackle such a huge environmental problem?
Our answer is education.
The brainchild of Cindy Beadman, the not-for-profit project starts by showcasing the innovative techniques and natural fabric artistry that Cindy pioneered in the 1970s, but its mission is far greater.
Fashion & Fairytale invites students across Bath & North East Somerset to enter their own nature inspired, sustainable designs in the biggest competition of its kind. We not only offer free teaching resources, assemblies, lessons, workshops and events to all schools, colleges, universities and families across the county, but by collaborating with local businesses, charities, artists and creative hubs, we hope to kickstart a local conversation about what we as individuals and as a community can do to enact change.
Fashion & Fairytale is ambitious. We hope to have impact on a social and environmental scale. We believe that by educating students of all abilities, we can inspire a new generation of designers that challenge the status quo, question buying habits and put sustainability at the heart of their creativity, thus future proofing the fashion industry and preserving the natural environment for generations to come.
We offer free lessons or assemblies, teaching resources and workshops to schools, colleges or universities; if you'd like to find out more, or if you want to join us on our
mission to light a spark that sustains, get in touch.
Want to know more about what you can do to put sustainability at the heart of your wardrobe? We are delighted to announce that Rachel P Blake fashion stylist, style editor and fashion designer will be guest blogging over the next few months.