University of East London Unites Fashion Leaders to Drive Sustainability Initiatives
To celebrate this year’s UN World Creativity and Innovation Day, the University of East London (UEL) hosted an enlightening Sustainable Garment Production seminar and workshop as part of the Sustainable Cities Festival.
The event, held at the Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability, brought together industry leaders, experts, and enthusiasts to explore innovative solutions for a more sustainable fashion industry.
The event opened with a keynote address by Sophie De Salis, Sustainability Policy Advisor at the British Retail Consortium (BRC), who shed light on the pressing challenges facing the industry.
This was followed by two engaging panel discussions, led by Beatrice Newman, UEL Head of Fashion, and Alison Lowe MBE, UEL’s Director of Careers and Enterprise for the School of Arts and Creative Industries.
The first panel, moderated by Ms Newman, delved into the topic of sustainability from a retail perspective. Panellists Sophie Lane, from ethical clothing manufacturer and community trust SOKE Kenya; Tina Wetshi, founder of sustainable fashion-focused collective and research agency Colèchi; and Rachel Singer, circular economy advisor for ReLondondiscussed the need for transparency in supply chains and stressed the importance of humanising the garment production process.
Ms Lane highlighted the industry’s shift towards more sustainable materials but emphasised the need to connect consumers with the people behind their clothes. Ms Wetshi underscored the significance of sustainable collaborations based on shared values.
The second panel, led by Ms Lowe, explored strategies to revolutionise fashion towards sustainability. Caroline Jones, from Knickers Model’s Own, ethical stylist Rebekah Roy, and Jose Baladron from charity retailer Traid shared insights on slowing down fashion consumption, promoting the value of clothing, and breaking stigmas around second-hand fashion. They discussed the importance of education as a catalyst for change and noted the growing interest of the younger generation in unique, sustainable fashion pieces.
During the event, participants were also given the opportunity to join workshops led by industry experts, such as the talented textile artist Elfreda Fakoya, founder of Dali Studios, and innovative designers from Traid. These sessions allowed attendees to dive into hands-on activities like knitting, styling, mending, and textile art, all aimed at promoting sustainable practices in garment production. It was a creative and inspiring opportunity for everyone to learn and contribute to a more eco-friendly fashion industry.
UEL’s Sustainable Garment Production seminar not only encouraged dialogue on sustainability but also fostered meaningful connections among professionals, students and members of the community passionate about creating a more sustainable fashion sector.