ZERO WASTE APPROACH TO THE MIDLANDS BIGGEST GRADUATE FASHION SHOW

Launching today – on World Environment Day – 5 June 2023 – FASHANNE – The Fashion Designers of the Future Awards are hoping to prove that fashion doesn’t have to cost the Earth. The prestigious annual live awards show featuring designs created by final year fashion and textile students from Universities across the Midlands, are taking on a number of measures in hopes of becoming the first zero waste fashion awards show.

The show, with sustainability taking centre stage, will incorporate the use of sustainable, biodegradable and cruelty free make up on all of its models; a solely plant-based canapes menu, sustainably sourced local refreshments including two specially designed cocktails to highlight and emphasis the zero-waste approach and awards and programmes made from sustainably sourced bamboo and plant friendly dyes.

This year’s finalist designs, showcased at the awards show taking place on 22 June, also heavily feature sustainability with a variety of design approaches and materials used including:

• The use of Yulex – a natural rubber derived from the heavea tree, sourced exclusively from preserved reservations, and using less water and CO2 to produce than regular neoprene – cutting waste in production by 80%.
• Ecoynl, made from ocean plastic debris, is the highlight in one collection.
• Themes such as upcycling, re-purposing, recycling, re-using and a mantra of “if not worth mending, it’s not worth buying” are visible in a number of designs. One collection has managed to create their designs with 95% surplus materials being used!
• Others feature and highlight a zero-waste approach to their designs with the use of natural fabrics, fibres and dyes as well as earth conscious production techniques.
• Many collections have considered climate change and the need to reduce carbon footprints deciding to work with smaller artisanal producers and utilising UK based manufacturing.
• Ethical considerations also play a huge role in some of the collections including one designer who grew his own silkworms over two months to raise awareness on the often-overlooked cruelty of the silk making process.

This year’s show themed ‘Earth’ will also be working hard with contractors and suppliers to minimise waste and offset as much as possible trying to turn around the negative image that the fashion industry harbours and showing it can be done.

Fashanne founder, Anne Davies said, “One of our biggest drivers, besides supporting the next generation of designers, has been to champion a sustainable approach to the fashion industry as a whole. We are one of only a handful of award programmes that offer a specialist Sustainable Award category and have done since Fashanne was established in 2016. We recognise that fashion is an art form, but we feel we can and should do more to make this art sustainable.”

The Fashanne Awards hosted by legendary fashion designer, Patrick Grant and TV presenter & founder of Fashanne, Anne Davies, will take place on Thursday 22 June at St Mary’s Church, Nottingham. It is expected to attract over 300 guests; previous guests have included Sir John Peace, Lord Lieutenant of Nottingham and ex-chairman of Burberry, and Her Grace, The Duchess of Rutland and will feature live entertainment, the catwalk show featuring special guest models as well as the exciting and emotional awards presentations.