Sustainable Fashion Week has been going on across the UK this week and I have been having so much fun attending ethical fashion events; last week I talked about my visit to The Good Clothes Show, and this week I attended Fashion Thrift Society’s Birmingham pop-up and a wonderful night of sustainable fashion films, discussions and demonstrations at The Old Print Works in Moseley. It feels so good to see a thriving hub of fashion enthusiasts in my home city – long may it continue!
WHAT’S INSPIRED ME THIS WEEK
As a fashion designer, and general creative type, I am constantly seeking inspiration wherever I am, and these posts are a way to document what has ignited something within me this past week. Whether its artwork I’ve seen online, photography that moved me, or a collection of colour in nature that kick-started a creative idea in my head, I’ll be sharing four ideas that have brought me joy in the past seven days.
R. READING
I have been watching the Vogue documentary on Disney+, In Vogue: The 90s, and so I’ve had Vogue on my mind all week.
I picked up the October issue and spent hours poring over it. I loved the interview with Florence Pugh, the styling of the shoot was delightful.
After watching the documentary I feel so much more aware of what goes in to creating each issue, and it’s made me appreciate each page even more.
E. EDUCATING
I always leave sustainable fashion events having learned something, as there are so many sub-sectors of the industry that I am in no way an expert on, and it’s always fascinating to see people sharing their niche interests in the world of ethical fashion.
This past week has been no different; I was particularly enthralled by BCU student Megan Ginn, who did a demonstration on her recipe for a bio-based textile using kitchen ingredients. She then used this textile to mend and upcycle a ripped knitted jumper; it was fascinating to watch!
P. PLAYING
At the weekend I attended a sustainable fashion evening at The Old Print Works and we watched a wonderful film: The Nettle Dress.
The film follows textile designer Allan Brown as he endeavours to create a dress using fibres collected from nettles that he sources in his local woods.
Over the course of collecting the nettles, spinning the fibres into thread, weaving it into a fabric, and making the dress, Allan’s life goes through great periods of grief, all documented in the golden threads of nettle.
The film almost brought me to tears, it truly was such a beautiful documentation of the power of cloth and human emotion, as well as the importance of slowing down the production of textiles.
O. OBSESSING OVER
I bought the Carbon Theory Salicylic Acid Cleansing Bar last year to take travelling, as it was easier to backpack with rather than a big bottle of liquid, and I fell in love with it so much that I’ve never gone back.
I recently got a new bar and it’s revived my obsession with it and made it even stronger. The new bar has left my face feeling so incredibly smooth, and it has also completed cleared up any body acne I was struggling with. If you struggle with spots, and also have sensitive skin, it’s definitely worth a try.
R. RECOMMENDING
Autumn has arrived over night, as it often does, and that means it’s hot chocolate season.
I’m a little bit of a hot chocolate snob, I’ll admit it, and there is one hot chocolate company that has never let me down: Whittard.
Better known for their luxurious teas Whittard also create decadent hot chocolates, and their latest creation is just as delicious as I expected.
I tried their new flavour, Apple Strudel, and it is perfect for the autumn time. With rich notes of apple and pastry it tastes like an apple pie in a mug; what more could you want?
T. TREATING MYSELF TO
I treated myself to a little solo day on Saturday; I journalled and read my book in the morning, and then headed off to Fashion Thrift Society in the early afternoon.
After strolling around the thrifting stalls I headed into the centre of Birmingham and wandered around Foyles, one of my favourite things to do.
It felt so lovely to have a quiet day to myself doing the things I love.
Love Chloe x
