Norland brings “sustainable fashion to life” for all ages during Sustainable Fashion Week
2 October 2024
Norland welcomed visitors of all ages to its events as the Bath Hub for Sustainable Fashion Week 2024.
Norland hosted a series of events on Saturday 28 September for Sustainable Fashion Week (SFW) 2024. Activities included workshops for children and adults to share skills and creative ideas for mending and embellishing clothes, a clothes swap supported by a sustainable stylist, and a conversation led by advocates of sustainable fashion on how to develop a conscious wardrobe.
The Bath Hub was organised by Norland sewing lecturers Kate Jaeger and Jo Price in partnership with local businesses Mark Pickles Sewing Studio and Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights. Proceeds from the events went to supporting sustainability focused charities Fashion Revolution and Labour Behind the Label.
“We are so proud to have been the Bath Hub for SFW 24! It was an amazing day with inspirational people of all ages – children and adults – who came together to share skills, ideas, thoughts and valuable insights.” Kate Jaeger
Norland Sewing Lecturer and hub co-organiser Kate Jaeger, added: “The day included a variety of workshops for both adults and children where participants engaged in activities such as stitching, darning, printing and a clothes swap. We also had a thought provoking discussion on how to create a sustainable wardrobe. It was so rewarding to see children and adults learning together and sharing skills. It made the day truly special.”
Jo Price, Norland Sewing Lecturer and hub co-organiser, said: “What an amazing day, I loved seeing the enjoyment and energy in the children that printed and stitched with us, the feedback from parents was lovely. The talk in the evening was so informative and I have been thinking about the way I shop, wash clothes and how I can upcycle my wardrobe ever since.”
“I found it a really exciting day celebrating style and creativity, proof that you can love fashion and have a more sustainable wardrobe!” Lizzie David
Lizzie David, who ran Repair Together, a darning workshop for children and adults, added: “The panel discussion was thoughtful and inspiring, a genuine conversation highlighting the complexity of sustainability.
“Personally, I found it very rewarding teaching mending skills to children and seeing them so absorbed and engaged in it. It was a wonderful event for the whole community, and I’m so pleased to have been involved.”
“It has reinvigorated my love of darning and has me wishing to find a hole in a jumper or a sock so that I can fix it with a beautiful and satisfying mend.” Alice
Second-year Norland student volunteer, Alice (Set 47), took part in the darning workshop led by Lizzie: “I thoroughly enjoyed learning new darning techniques from Lizzie; her teaching style was calm and informative, and she was attentive to every learner there.”
“It was nice for me, as a Norland student, to hear so many comments from the group as to how lovely a choice of venue Norland was for the event, and to meet young people of varying ages with such an interest in, and talent for, the creative arts. Furthermore, it was so special to see them there with their parents or guardians, enjoying their time learning a skill together. It made me wish my own Mum had been able to attend.”
“I loved seeing the connection at the swap between the person who wore the item before and the person who will go on to cherish it. That is what makes the swap so meaningful.” Becky Barnes
Sustainable stylist Becky Barnes, who led a clothes swap and was part of the panel discussion on creating a conscious wardobe, added: “The giver finds joy in knowing their pieces will be worn again and the received gains not just an item of clothing but a shared sense of experience and history!
“I thoroughly enjoyed connecting with women who have a shared passion and it was brilliant to not only provide useful information but to present opportunities for people to immediately put the theory into practice!”
Becky’s tips for creating a more sustainable wardrobe:
- Buying less and buying better
- Mending, caring and extending the life of your clothes
- Thinking second hand first (and also including swapping and renting)
- Washing your clothes less often on lower temperatures
- Upcycling and repurposing
- Supporting brands who are doing business sustainably
The clothes swap was a success and when we totted up what we swapped the impact was huge. We saved 849.6 kilos of carbon and 274,533 litres of water. To put that into perspective, that’s about the weight of a small car and enough water for somebody to shower for around nine years!Becky Barnes
“I think the mix of different activities – from talking about building a conscious wardrobe, right through to actually living it in the swap and the mending workshops – really brought sustainable fashion to life.” Gemma Metherington
Former fashion insider Gemma Metherington, who led the conscious wardrobe conversation with Jenny Garcia, described the day as “inspiring and informative”.
“I learned a lot! In particular I found Becky’s calculations on the carbon, and water impacts of the swap fascinating and I will definitely be investing in a ‘good’ clothes brush.”
Comments from parents and children who participated in the workshops
“I want to do it again. I loved it.” Esme, 6
“I just loved coming here! I got to do potato printing. It was brilliant.”
“This was a great day to use creativity and I think it was very fun. It was a good place to learn sewing.” Maia, 9
“I loved it! I mean I loved it!”
“My favourite part of the day was when we got to stitch our potato printing.” Elke, 9
“I enjoy doing something fun for my daughters and for me! Girls therapy.”
“We loved the workshop! It was great to engage with Norland teachers and students too, they were friendly, supportive and relaxed. What a lovely morning!”
“I loved it today it was amazing we’ve had so much fun at the stitch and print session this was our first time sewing together and I think we’ll be doing lots more. Thank you for a fabulous class.”
“I really liked the workshop and was really happy with the end result. It was really fun and informative.”
“I loved the workshop today. It was nice to meet other woman interested in the field of textiles, very empowering.”
“A great workshop. I loved coming with my daughter and learning a new skill.”
“I love learning a new skill and one that spans ages. It felt calm and creative and very affordable. Will definitely come again to such a friendly environment today, was brilliant. The teacher was so calm, helpful and patient. Setting is lovely and we were so welcomed.”
More information and resources
For further resources and guidance about the environmental impact of the garment industry and how we can all do more to support sustainability and shop responsibly, visit our sustainable fashion resources page.
For more information about Sustainable Fashion Week 2024 events hosted by Norland, visit our hub page on the SFW website.
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