This week I have been doing lots of radio…
interviews and the presenters keep asking me 'Why are you running the Ethical Atelier?'
I suppose I thought that was obvious but now realise perhaps it isn't.
These are the 2 reasons why:
1- I believe ferociously that the current fast fashion culture is causing an environmental crisis around the globe- The fashion industry is the 2nd most harmful industry to the climate after the energy industry, fashion is 4 times more harmful than aviation. And having worked in the industry I know first hand the high street is misleading customers with greenwashing claims.
2- I believe that dressing ethically and sustainably is easier than most people think! I will expand on this more during the event alongside a host of industry experts and makers.
My hope is that this event makes it easier for East Midland shoppers and makers to dress with a clear conscious.
Having run Derby’s Ethical Christmas Market for the last two years with a footfall of over 1000 customers and 30+ pioneering businesses and social enterprises I know there is an appetite in Debry for ethical and sustianbel shopping but The Ethical Atelier is far more niche as it is solely about Fashion.
My priorities for the event were to;
showcase the best local ethical fashion brands I can
teach hands on skills about maintaining a sustainable wardrobe.
enable customers to utilise garments that are currently unworn through the seamstress or repair workshops
to continue to build a community that is engaging in the sustainable fashion conversation and growing in knowledge
to create a platform for human rights charities that are often neglected in the fashion conversation
These are some of the brands I have secured for the event. Securing brands for a pilot event is challenging, but I am really pleased with our varied selection.
Here are some highlights of what ethical practices they showcase
3rd Rock- sustainably sourced activewear based in Derbyshire
REworked348 - Derby-based brand creating menswear from disused workwear and military wear
RAF & GRACE Nottingham based designer selling pre loved and capsule collections made with dead stock designer fabrics
Isabelle Pennington Mead a Fashion Graduate from Manchester passionate about creating colorful and environmentally friendly pieces.
Erosa design another Manchester young designer creating a size-inclusive natural fiber-based range
Sustainable bags for fashion- making leather accessories using deadstock leather scraps
Atelier A0- Derbyshire fashion brand creating GOTS luxe wear
Educate-
This was a crucial element to the event as I believe it is in education the power to change personal habits and encouraging everyone to only shop more wouldn’t provide a sustainable event. (albeit with it sustainable brands)
So I organised an industry expert panel:
Richard Spencer- Chairman of British Wool Central Region Committee representing 17 counties. Passionate about UK and Derbyshire sheeps wool being fully utilised in the fashion industry. he also appeared on BBC series Victorian Farm.
Charlotte Instone- a social entrepreneur and founder of The Known the Origin, a sustainable brand that priortises ethical and transparent practices. She scaled the business to a 7 figures and worked with Fairtrade producers and was listed as Forbes 30 under 30.
Lelsey Gladwell- Founder and CEO of Rebuild- Derbyshire charity that works directly with victims and survivors of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery empowering them to rebuild their futures after exploitation.
Richard Maven- James Tailoring 1 stop shop owner for sustainable sewing haberdashery. Using innovative natural materials to replace popular plastic supplies in fashion.
Harriet Haiynes Young- Knitwear designer and Technical Developer currently working at Derbyshire brand Sunspel but has worked across sectors of the industry for licensers on behalf of key names on the high street; Topshop, Monsoon and Primark.
Erica Horne-Owner and Ceo of CAD for Fashion, a experienced designer who worked with both high street and independents Erica now teaches CAD courses in pioneering 3D technology.
Emma Atherton- Owner of NW British brand Erosa, a size-inclusive diverse fashion brand. Emma has developed a range that disregards the conventional Western sizing system and has created a size-flexible collection to embrace a diverse range of body shapes.
Abigail Wastie- Organiser of The Ethical Atelier, a passionate sustainable textile activist with industry experience in Luxury and Ethical fashion brands now teaching sustainable sewing courses in Derby.
