August 24, 2010 by amucklow
Back in July 09 (remember then?) we mentioned clothes made from coffee grains well now the nation’s real favourite beverage has been used to develop a new leather-like, lightweight fabric.
Grown in vats of green tea scientists from Imperial College, London have been collaborating with Central Saint Martins designers to create this new sustainable fabric. The fabric is still in early development and those involved say it will still be a while before it hits the shops. It just shows what a bit of imagination and innovation can produce.
Read more in The Telegraph here.
by amucklow
It is not the first time that the work being done by Ecotece here in Sao Paulo has been mentioned on the CSF Bulletin (and I’m sure it won’t be the last) but as the leading organisation in sustainability and fashion in Brazil it was with great pleasure that I attended the intensive course on sustainability in fashion (offered quarterly by the Ecotece guys). The great bonus was the chance to talk to the group about the work being done in London particularly the business support programme and the work being done on the MA.
The possibility of discussing some of the differences and similarities between the UK and Brazil was also eye-opening and inspiring. Personally, it was an opportunity to meet some interesting and like-minded people and to debate and discuss honestly the problems facing both the industry and more generally societies across the globe.
There were plenty of questions too, topics ranging from a discussion of the role of craft to the challenges of ‘fast fashion’ and the high street in the UK. I had lots of questions for them too but as always time flew by.
The course is the sixth of its kind so far and topics cover fabric sourcing, environmental impacts, social issues and life cycle analysis. The work that Ecotece are doing here in Brazil is really opening up dialogue between producers, designers and industry. To talk about the work of CSF was a really pleasure too, I hope to do it again soon.
August 20, 2010 by amucklow
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by Cath
CSF Director Dilys Williams is quoted in a new book by Nicola Baird entitled ‘Homemade Kids: Thrifty, Creative and Eco-Friendly Ways to Raise Your Child’. Nicola adapted a Friends of the Earth/Earthmatters Magazine interview given by Dilys. The quote can be found on p68!
For more info click here
by Cath
The workshops are run by the Creative Industries Knowledge Transfer Network which is backed and led by the University of the Arts in partnership with Imperial, RIBA and TIGA.
We’re going to be running two workshops in September to explore what sustainability means for you and your industry and what needs to be done in order to change the status quo and seize the opportunities that the big challenges ahead create.
Through interactive workshop sessions, facilitated by Forum for the Future, we’re going to explore the major implications for the creative industries over the coming 20 years. We’ve sketched out the implications from the commonalities across 4 plausible future scenarios of 2030.
This is part of the Sustainability Beacon Project run by Forum for the Future and the Creative Industries Knowledge Transfer Network.
For more details and to register for either of the workshops click here
For more info on the Fashion Futures project which was developed with students from our very own MA Fashion and the Environment, and presents four vivid scenarios of the world of 2025 and the role of the fashion industry please click here
by Cath
The London Permaculture Festival on Sunday 22nd August 2010 aims to inspire and inform. Packed throughout the day with back to back engaging workshops, inspiring films, interactive practical demonstrations, expert talks, and relaxed networking. Helping Londoners to engage with their local activist projects, community gardens & Transition Town groups throughout the city.
The beautiful Arts & Crafts building of Cecil Sharp House near Camden Town, home of the London folk scene, will host this non-profit grassroots event organized solely by volunteers- aiming to unite green London and create a positive critical mass of awareness around DIY culture, reshaping & reconnecting our capital city in this time of resurgence.
For more info click here
by Cath
The ethical clothing brand, Annie Greenabelle has launched a brand new site for a brand new season!
The brand synonymous with cute and trendy ethical dresses, tops and bags as sold in London’s Oxford Circus Topshop concession, ASOS.com and other online retailers started its own website in 2007.
The brand works with predominantly organic and Fairtrade certified cotton. They combine this with the use of reclaimed fabrics that add variety and mean there are never many of the same items around.
Annie Greenabelle take care to produce all of their clothes in the most responsible way possible as they don’t believe that anyone or anything should be treated badly in the pursuit of a ‘bargain’ piece of clothing, that is why all the factories comply with the ETI (Ethical Trading Initiative) base code.
The new site, launching this month features the new Autumn/Winter 2010 collection following a ‘Vintage Belle’ collection of sporty, feminine, classic-inspired favourites with a nostalgic Parisian influence.
To visit the website click here
by Cath
Ethical sourcing is more important than ever to the fashion industry. The Ethical Fashion Source Expo, organised by Ethical Fashion Forum, is the world’s only annual industry trade show representing suppliers of ethical and fair trade fabrics, components, and manufacture to the fashion industry.
The event will take place alongside the RITE Conference - CSF’s Director Dilys Williams is a member of the steering committe- in London on 6th of October 2010, at Central Hall Westminster. More than 50 exemplary suppliers and manufacturers working to fair trade and high ethical standards from all over the world will be present- from small cooperatives changing lives in Uganda to mainstream manufacturers pioneering inspirational solutions to environmental challenges- and creating sustainable livelihoods for thousands of people.
The event will be attended by the biggest names in retail- as well as hundreds of independent brands seeking partnerships with ethical suppliers. Representatives of the following regularly attend EFF events: Liberty, Monsoon, Tesco, All Saints, Ascension, Burberry, Edun, Whistles, Marks and Spencers, New Look, Sainsbury’s, Ted Baker, Topshop, and many others. This year all RITE conference delegates will also be invited to attend.
To find out more about the event click here
August 16, 2010 by Hatty
London College of Fashion has been working with the University of Moratuwa since 2002 and, with funding provided by the British Fashion Council, an incredible opportunity arose for our MA Fashion and the Environment students to visit Sri Lanka; to experience and learn about the Sri Lankan fashion industry and gain an understanding of the sustainability challenges and opportunities within it.
And so on the 31st July four of our fantastic students – Beth, Kate, Saida and Zoe – set off to spend a month in Sri Lanka, conducting research which will inform their Major Projects and, to discover first-hand the contrasts between small cottage industry and large-scale factory manufacturing, interrogate traditional craft techniques and to gain an invaluable insight into workers experiences of co-operative enterprise and factory environments in the country, as well as much, much more…
The students have been travelling extensively during their time in Sri Lanka however the University of Moratuwa, located 19 kilometres south of the capital Colombo, is acting as a base for them during their visit. The University, one of 12 government-funded Higher Education institutions in Sri Lanka, boasts the brilliant Department of Textiles established just over 20 years ago. Dr Nirmali de Silva, Head of Department, has been responsible for leading new curriculum initiatives for Sri Lanka and will be providing support to our students throughout their time there.
This dynamic foursome have certainly been making the most of their time in Sri Lanka so far, taking the opportunity to develop a unique appreciation of diverse areas within the fashion supply chain including design, pattern construction, garment production and management, craft, photography and customer engagement.
And we’re lucky enough to be able to share in their experiences as they continue on this amazing journey. They’ve been doing us proud, blogging away since day one… and their posts make compelling reading! So why not follow their progress as they endeavour to develop a holistic understanding of the Sri Lankan fashion industry and each person’s role within it. Read their blog here:
http://connectsrilanka.blogspot.com/
… the CSF team are totally hooked!!
The students will also be presenting their research at the end of the project to the British Council and faculty members at the University of Moratuwa and on their return to London College of Fashion in September so keep checking the CSF bulletin for up-dates about this.
August 13, 2010 by Cath
Psychology and Climate Change: Collective Solutions to a Global Problem
(A Joint British Academy/British Psychological Society Annual Lecture)
Professor David Uzzell
University of Surrey
Thursday, 23 September 2010
6.00pm – 7.00pm, followed by a drinks reception
The Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1
Free Admittance
This lecture will examine some of the exciting and influential work being undertaken by psychologists. While encouraging individuals to change their attitudes and behaviours is clearly important, we know that climate change is a collective problem requiring collective solutions. Considerable emphasis will be placed in this lecture on the role and importance of social context, collective action and community cooperation. How have people come to lead unsustainable lifestyles through developments of changes in the wider society? How can community initiatives be made more effective? What can we learn from the international trade union movement which is working across the North-South divide to link environmental measures with social justice?
Please note that registration is required for this event
For more info and to book your place click here
