Sustainable Fashion Week set to transform Bristol Cathedral with Fashion On Earth

Taking place on Wednesday 6 November, the evening’s programme will feature a garment exhibition, makers market, a community choir performance, a live reading on fashion and nature, poems, pledges and a catwalk of designs from community makers who create fashion with the Earth in mind.

Using the theme of Gaia: Our Home Planet, Sustainable Fashion Week will bring together community, fashion, music, literature and artistry in an event that invites us to explore our connection with the Earth through our clothing. 

Fashion On Earth will provide an opportunity for visitors to reimagine a fashion future which is wholly connected to and respectful of the natural world. Kate Fletcher a pioneer and leading voice on fashion and sustainability, is providing a live reading and presenting copies of her latest book release Fletcher’s Almanac: Nature Encounters and Fashion Systems Throughout the Year. A selection of poems focusing on clothing and our connection to the garments we wear will be given to visitors as they arrive to be explored, discussed and swapped throughout the evening, encouraging visitors to find their favourite to take home. 

The Maker’s Market will feature 10 fashion creators from Bristol, and beyond, such as Ria Burns, Studio Kuhu and Sarah Poland Studio. Working with natural fibres, natural dyes or fabrics that have been reclaimed - the pieces on sale are examples of how we can create new garments in low-impact or regenerative ways, in harmony with Earth’s natural systems. From organic cotton leisure wear to hand dyed kimonos or upcycled jackets. Many of the makers will feature in a garment exhibition of 12 selected pieces, showing the beauty and artistry of making clothing that is designed to last and to be loved. 

Along with information stalls from Global Organic Textile Standard  the Organic Textile Company, South West England Fibreshed and Bath Spa University’s National Centre for Fashion & Sustainability - Fashion On Earth will hope to inspire attendees with a reading by Kate Fletcher and performances by the Oak Choir a local community choir led by Rachael Dadd, filling the cathedral with songs of nature. As the choir sings, models will stroll through the central aisle in the cathedral’s Nave - wearing outfits inspired by and representing the evening’s theme. 

Models are from the local community, with representation from Able Model Management - offering modelling opportunities to those who feel misrepresented. And the event will be supported by make up and beauty students from the South Gloucestershire & Stroud College.

The finale moment will see the TAMMAM ‘One Dress: PLANET’ head down the catwalk - A collaborative couture project that connects creators and consumers, and challenging the way we buy fashion.

Amelia Twine, founder of Sustainable Fashion Week commented “We’ve taken a new approach for Fashion On Earth, and loved every minute of planning this event with our friends in the Bristol community. We’ve made use of the immensity of the space to explore our connection to fashion through performance, poetry and display, where we would normally opt for the power of skills learning, swaps and talks. There is increasing evidence that fashion is killing the Earth, and we’re inviting people to join with us now to rethink their relationship with clothing and nature."

Tickets for Fashion On Earth are available at £10 for adults and £6 for children and can be booked here.