London Fashion Week kicked off February 14 on Valentine’s Day and a model for change took center stage as innovation and diversity were the pioneering forces of inspiration at this year’s show. With the new #SustainableMe initiative prompted by a collaboration between BBC Earth, The British Fashion Council, and clothing brand, Mother Pearl, the campaign asked producers and consumers alike to rethink the way they create and use fashion.
The five day fashion expo also focused on the welcoming of 16 designers from around the world whose focus was not just on design and creativity, but on thought-provoking representation that questions the norm and creates new ideas for for a better tomorrow.
Positive Fashion
Teaming up together, BBC Earth, The British Fashion Council and fashion brand, Mother Pearl, headed by creative director Amy Powney, came together to showcase positive innovation in the fashion world. The initiative places emphasis on sustainability, equality, diversity, craftsmanship and community. The collaboration was created to bring the global reach of the BBC network, the creative pioneering strategies of Mother Pearl and the fashion influence of the British Fashion Council together in an effort to change the way that fashion is produced and distributed.
Check out these five talking points about London Fashion Week.
On February 16, the teams celebrated their collaboration for #SustainableMe. So far, the initiative has reached out to 12 million people, teaching everyone how to be a more conscious consumer. The proposal advocates for all retailers and designers to become more aware of the way they create and manufacture products. The initiative has encouraged industry designers and manufacturers to switch to green energy supplies. It also prompts them to reduce their energy and water intake, create more efficient and precise uses of their resources, and reduce chemical usage in fabrics, textiles, and footwear by being more aware of restricted chemicals not permitted in the production of clothes and footwear. Upcycling any old products was another tactic.
Diverse Fashion
The International Fashion Showcase presented work from sixteen designers from around the world. Each designer represented their country through designs that embodied the individual’s take on politics, sustainability, identity, and heritage. The showcase titled Brave New Worlds: The Changing Landscape of Fashion worked with the International British Council and The British Fashion Council to coordinate the exhibit that was hosted at Somerset House in London. The designers also participated in business development classes lead by the London College of Fashion, which gave the sixteen designers tools to better promote their brand.
Highlights of the exhibit came from Duran Lantink of the Netherlands. His work showcased designs that criticized the phenomena of constant sales and discounts in the fashion industry. Lantink also debuted 0 Percent Duran, which creates fashion without production and repurposes garments from outlet sites. Lantik is also the genius designer behind the vagina pants in Janelle Monae’s PYNK video.
Cedric Mizero of Rwanda drew attention to the marginalized communities in his home country. With his designs, he focused on the wealth of his community instead of the negative aspects that are often associated with the rural areas of the world
Finally, Laura Laurens presented work that came from her collaboration with three LGBTQ members of Colmbi’s Indigenous Embera community.