Fashion that doesn’t cost the earth

If the term “eco-friendly fashion” conjures up images of baggy hemp trousers and shapeless tops made out of sacking, you wouldn’t be the only one. Clothing that is ethically-sourced, recycled or Fair Trade is often associated with a certain niche style – and given little regard in the fast-paced, money-driven world of fashion and retail today.

However, in a society that’s increasingly aware of the dire consequences of unsustainability and waste on our future, it seems surprising that many don’t apply the same attitude to textiles as they do to the other materials we use and consume every day. We recycle the paper we write on and the bottles we drink out of, yet we buy and discard cheap clothing at a rate of knots – often without a second thought about the environmental and ethical implications.

Bristol-based social change group Love The Future feel strongly about both the wastefulness of the global fashion industry and the poor quality of life of many of those who make the cheap clothing that is constantly consumed around the world.

Love The Future of Fashion was an impressive showcase of some of Bristol’s finest eco-friendly and ethical clothing brands, which served to remind us that there are beautiful clothes right on our doorsteps that don’t cost the earth.

The gorgeous models graced the runway wearing outfits fit for a red carpet, and the impressed faces around the catwalk were proof that Love The Future was successfully dispelling the myths of eco-friendly fashion one glittering gown at a time. Vintage, re-worked and sustainably sourced materials were the dish of the day, and the handmade, locally designed pieces not only showcased Bristol’s social conscience at work, but also its abundance of creative flair and talent.

Although Heartfelt Vintage stole the show with its beautiful zeitgeist-capturing ‘Fashion Through Time’ collection, all the pieces had a ‘wow’ factor that was clearly designed to impress. Yen Couture‘s light-capturing bodycon dresses, made with corn starch amongst other unlikely materials, were undoubtedly a highlight, as well as gorgeous simplicity from People Tree and a sequin sensation by Sumptuous Designerwear.

The show ended with a moving speech on the staggering figures of textile waste by Aimee Campanella from Bristol Textile Recyclers (BTR), who divert 20 tonnes of clothing from landfill sites every day. Using denim and red cotton from their stores of recycled textiles, BTR showed a capsule collection (see header image) bearing powerful messages sewn across the garments such as ‘stop, think, question’.

“It’s time to start thinking about where our clothes come from,” said Aimee. “Consuming for consuming’s sake is just not sustainable.”

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