Six volunteer models wore a selection of fair trade clothing from Namaste and From the Source, both based in Skipton, and a wide range of pre-loved items from Ilkley Oxfam.
The fashion show was compered by Vanessa Brain, who runs sustainability consultancy collective V&V, specialising in sustainable materials, global sourcing, certification and traceability systems for the fashion, footwear and textiles sector. Vanessa shared some of the many challenges businesses face in creating traceable and sustainable supply chains, and in ensuring there are no human rights and other abuses. Vanessa had helped create the UK market and standards for Fairtrade Cotton, and used hard-hitting statistics to ask the audience to consider choosing clothing made from sustainable, natural fibres such as cotton and wool, in preference to synthetic fibres made from oil. Also to buy less, and wear again and again, as millions of tonnes of clothing end up being incinerated or dumped in land fill each year.
The clothing showcased from the Skipton fair trade businesses is made by skilled artisans in Nepal, Tibet and India. The garment fabrics included intricate block and hand-screen printed patterns of cultural and historical significance, and the woollen items included attractive, hand-knitted patterns, which all help keep traditional and heritage skills alive.
A spokesperson for Ilkley Fairtrade Group, said: “The Fairtrade and pre-loved fashion show was a great way to highlight this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight, which ran from September 9th – 22nd, and was celebrating 30 years of the Fairtrade Mark. This small, now familiar logo, represents a global movement for change and pioneering economic, social and environmental standards for both people and planet, aimed at creating a sustainable future for both. The show was a timely reminder for us to think about the environmental and social impact of the fashion industry, and what changes we could make to lessen the carbon footprint and environmental damage our clothing might represent. We could all investigate the wide range of pre-loved clothes that Oxfam, and our other local charity shops, have on offer, to give a new lease of life to these garments.
“We hope all our models enjoyed the show as much as we did, and thank all of them, together with Vanessa Brain, for her most informative talk and fashion industry insights. For further information about all aspects of Fairtrade, visit www.fairtrade.org.uk. This Fairtrade Foundation website also has the details of a new ‘Be the Change’ pledge campaign, asking people to contact their MP to seek their support to ensure trade, development and climate policies ensure farmers and workers in low-income countries are paid fairly and are represented in discussions about how to tackle the poverty and climate crisis that threaten their future.”