Centre for Sustainable Fashion

Transformational Thinking and Practice Field Day

Photograph by Ana Escobar

Thank you to those who participated in the Centre for Sustainable Fashion‘s Transformational Thinking and Practice Field Day. The wonderful contributions from everyone in the room made it a truly innovative and inspiring day. Frances Corner, Head of London College of Fashion, introduced the Field Day before a series of interesting  discussions and workshops took place through out the day.

Photograph by Ana Escobar

Photograph by Ana Escobar

Watch is this space for CSF’s next publication, showcasing all of the exciting outcomes generated at the Field day.

Lucy Orta at Festival of the World, Southbank Centre

Antarctica World Passport | Métisse Flag

1 June – 9 September 2012

Festival of the World, Southbank Centre

Southbank Centre’s Festival of the World is a celebration of how art can change lives and what it means to be a citizen of the world. Across its 21-acre site, Southbank Centre has brought together artists from around the globe who are demonstrating that when people work creatively together, individual lives and communities can change for the better. For the festival Prof Lucy Orta of the Centre for Sustainable Fashion + Jorge Orta have been commissioned to create two ambitious new works from their Antarctica series: Métisse Flag and the Antarctica World Passport Delivery Bureau.

The Antarctic Treaty signed in 1959 states that Antarctica is a common territory dedicated to cultural and scientific cooperation and all military activity is banned. Antarctica exemplifies a community that strives for peace and social progress.

The artists’ Antarctica World Passport Delivery Bureau, a huge labyrinth installation of reclaimed materials inside the Southbank’s Spirit Level Gallery will issue 30,000 facsimile passport documents to the festival visitors aspiring to become a citizen of the new Antarctica world community. The applicants will join the tens of thousands of citizens who have already received an individual passport, an original artwork to be treasured and passed on the future generations as a testament to share common ideals.

Their second artwork, a monumental crown of flags will be raised above the roof of the Royal Festival Hall. The Métisse Flag, which was first created for their Antarctic expedition in 2007, will stand proudly over looking the river Thames as a symbol of the festival, allowing all peoples to coexist harmoniously as the nations’ emblems merge to create a larger common identity.

Catalytic Clothing wins Condé Nast Traveller Innovation and Design Award 2012

Catalytic Clothing, the ground breaking project which seeks to purify the air we breathe by harnessing the surface of our clothing, was crowned joint winner of the Sustainability category in the Condé Nast Traveller Innovation and Design Awards 2012,  along with Vivienne Westwood for her fundraising campaign Cool Earth – No Fun Being Extinct.

Conceived by London College of Fashion’s Professor Helen Storey MBE and the University of Sheffield’s Professor Tony Ryan OBE, Catalytic Clothing beat off stiff competition from all shortlisted entries to take home the joint award which was voted for by the public.

This is the sixth year that Condé Nast Traveller have held the Innovation & Design Awards which were founded to celebrate excellence in 11 categories – from sustainability to transport. This year’s judges who put the shortlist together included, Sebastian Conran acclaimed industrial designer and head of Sebastian Conran Associates, Sir Nicholas Serota Director of Tate, David Rowan editor of WIRED magazine, Rowan Moore architecture critic of the Observer and Brent Hoberman co-founder of Lastminute.com and chairman of Made.com, the awards were hosted by Editor of Conde Nast Traveller, Sarah Miller.

On accepting their award from Christina Robert, Founder of Bright Green Pictures and freelance journalist, Helen and Tony said “We’d like to thank all of the people that voted for us and helped us to win this fantastic accolade – your vote really counted!”

This is the second time Helen and Tony’s work has been recognised by Condé Nast Traveller; their project Wonderland, which asked its audience to consider waste, plastics and packaging, was nominated in 2010.

Cosmetic Surgery: Self-Esteem, Aesthetics and Ethics

From an exciting series of talks on diverse subjects related to the theme of Better Lives, subjects include ‘ageing and self esteem’, ‘is the fashion industry contributing to the low self-esteem of the nation as well as to mental health problems’ and ‘self-esteem and the modern trend towards surgical/cosmetic procedures’.  These talks are organised in collaboration with Dr Paul Matts of Procter & Gamble, Visiting Professor at London College of Fashion.

Lecture 4: Cosmetic Surgery: Self-Esteem, Aesthetics and Ethics with Ian Mackay and Margaret Ramage

Tuesday 29th May

Time: 6-7pm

Location: London College of Fashion, RHS East Space, 20 John Princes St, London, W1G 0BJ. (Please contact us in advance if you have access requirements)

We live in a Society where, for some, image seems to be everything.  In order to get the right job, the right friends or indeed the right partner, we perceive that we must not only dress the part but also be physically perfect.  This presentation will explore the ethics of cosmetic surgery, the procedures available, finding a doctor, the consultation, follow-up and dealing with the disappointments when patients either didn’t understand the limitations of surgery or things have gone seriously wrong.  The Medical Defence Union has stated that “There are some common reasons for patients bringing claims… patients’ dissatisfaction with the aesthetic result of the procedure, are problems which could be avoided with improved communication between the doctor and patient prior to the operation.”  Improved pre-operative communication may include an assessment by a psychiatrist or trained psychologist to assess the emotional feelings and drives which lead people to request cosmetic surgery.  Case examples will be given to demonstrate some of these emotional factors and the ethical issues which may arise in the context of aesthetic surgery.

Ian Mackay MB BS FRCS
Harley Street Nose Clinic, Hon. Consultant ENT Surgeon Charing Cross Hospital and King Edward VII Hospital, Visiting Professor Mayo Clinic USA

Margaret Ramage RGN RSCN
Sexual & Relationship Psychotherapist

Please RSVP to csf.events@fashion.ac.uk

Kate Fletcher and Lucy Orta Joint Book Launch

The Centre for Sustainable Fashion is pleased to invite you to the book launch of Fashion and Sustainability: Design for Change, Kate Fletcher and Lynda Grose &  Clouds | Nuages. Lucy + Jorge Orta.

Kate Fletcher and Lucy Orta will be in conversation with Patrick Laine, Director of Corporate Partnerships, WWF-UK

Fashion and Sustainability: Design for Change examines how sustainability has the potential to transform both the fashion system and the innovators who work within it. Sustainability is arguably the defining theme of the twenty-first century and the book explores its innovative and transformational effect on fashion products, fashion systems and fashion design practice.

Fashion and Sustainability: Design for Change is published by Laurence King, London.

Clouds | Nuages draws from the artists’ previous research on issues effecting our environment, in particular the theme of water. Leading from their project OrtaWater, the artworks pose questions about the scarcity of this natural resource, the exploitation, purification and the distribution networks. The recycling communities in Cairo inspire Lucy + Jorge Orta as well as the lifespan of the water bottle that gradually disintegrates to create the enormous floating islands in our oceans. 

Clouds | Nuages is published by Damiani in association with the Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Versailles and its contemporary art centre La Maréchalerie.

Details:
22^nd May 2012
6.30 – 8pm
Carnaby Book Exchange
G5, Ground floor, Kingly Court, Carnaby, London, W1B 5PW

RSVP is essential csf.events@fashion.arts.ac.uk

Vote for Clerkenwell Vintage Fashion Fair!

The Clerkenwell Vintage Fashion Fair has been nominated in The Vintage Guide to London’s Best of 2012 Awards, in The Best Fair’s category. The Clerkenwell Vintage Fashion Fair began in May 2009 and has continued to grow with the prestigious reputation of having one-of-a-kind vintage fashion. Polls close on May 19 so if you would like to see Clerkenwell Vintage Fashion Fair win then click on the link below.

To cast your vote click here

To read more about the Clerkenwell Vintage Fashion Fair click here

International Summer School

Do you want to gain a deeper understanding of sustainable fashion? Do you want to get a unique opportunity to be inspired by highly qualified lectures and designers from the best design and business schools in Europe?  KEA are hosting Innovating Sustainable Fashion, a 3 week summer school for fashion students from across Europe to work on a collaborative project to innovate sustainable fashion. Successful applicants will have funding to cover course fees, travel to/from Copenhagen, accommodation, breakfast and lunch, social activities and travel around Copenhagen.

Open to all London College of Fashion BA 2nd year students.

If you would like to apply, please send a 400 word statement explaining why you would like to be considered to n.stevenson@fashion.arts.ac.uk by 4pm Thursday 17 May 2012.

Transformational Thinking and Practice

Image from i sustain project - Photo by Kerry Dean

A research field day showcasing the work of the Centre for Sustainable Fashion to celebrate its inauguration as a University of the Arts London Research Centre.

A day of design-led exploration and experimentation of fashion’s contribution to life sustaining activity through a unique collection of people and ideas.

If you aren’t from the University of the Arts London and are interested in attending this event please contact us to see if a place may be available.

Unpick and Remix Workshop

On Tuesday May 8, the last day for the sustainable fashion lab, Centre for Sustainable Fashion’s Jennifer Ballie and her team will be taking your unwanted clothes and transforming them into desirable pieces once more through a re-creation process of customisation.

This is the last opportunity to take part in an interactive workshop at the lab, it is also the last day to view the exhibition which now includes all of the amazing pieces that were made by designers, Noel Stewart, Gary Harvey, Michelle Lowe-Holder and Dr Noki during their time in the lab.

Open Tuesday May 8 (last day) 10am – 5pm

Dr Noki at the Sustainable Fashion Lab

Dr Noki jumpsuit featured in Vogue

Designer activist, Dr Noki will be running an interactive workshop at the Sustainable Fashion Lab this weekend. Come to Dray Walk Gallery, choose a t-shirt (or bring your own!), cut it up and watch as it gets re-created into something new and amazing.

Last weekend the lab hosted Noel Stewart who along with his assistants taught the visiting public how to make beautiful, stylish head pieces. He said;

“It’s been a really fun weekend. The possibilities are endless when it comes to recycling and reusing unwanted clothes. Fabrics are beautiful and precious – they should be treasured rather than binned. There have been some pretty fabulous creations over the past couple of days. I think people have been really surprised by what they have been able to achieve.”

Don’t miss out on the last weekend for the lab!

Open from 10am – 5pm Saturday and Sunday 5/6th May.