CUT

This report documents the ‘CUT’ project, which involved young people to design and make a bespoke collection of jeans whose buttons and rivets were cut out of metal from knives. The project illustrated to young people that they have a choice in shaping their lives to be more purposeful, and leveraged the power of fashion activism, craftsmanship, and storytelling to shift the current narrative around youth violence. A public engagement event will be delivered and the funding raised from auctioning the jeans will contribute to supporting a charity with on-going activities using fashion against knife crime and providing opportunities for young people in the fashion industry. The project was led by Dr Francesco Mazzarella, funded by the Great Place scheme and delivered in partnership with London Borough of Waltham Forest, a network of manufacturing businesses (with Blackhorse Lane Ateliers at the core) and charity Catalyst in Communities.

ISBN 978-1-906908-69-0