Upcycling Fashion

My course friends and I were lucky enough to attend the ‘Watch Your Waste Week’ event at the Museum of Science and Industry last Thursday, the event was run by Recycle for Greater Manchester to promote ‘Upcycling’ Fashion.  This involves reusing and remaking old clothes into something new rather than simply throwing unwanted garments away or donating them, therefore reducing waste in Manchester! 

Me and the Wardrobe Angel

I was able to speak to some of the designers at the event and it was great to learn where their inspiration sprouted from.  Also at the event was the Wardrobe Angel who owns her own stylist business.  With a wealth of fashion industry knowledge and experience under her belt from companies such as M&S and H&M, the Wardrobe Angel was launched just 15 months ago.  Her website is great and the feedback from the services available is even better, the Wardrobe Angel teaches you to minimise your wardrobe with maximum effects, creating smarter shoppers.  The site is definitely worth a look for all you budding stylists out there!

Adnan Bayyat turned to fashion after studying a music degree, to express his creativity visually and now he creates bespoke garments for high profile people and events.  He showcased his dress designed for Breast Cancer Research which was formed from recycled medicine bottle tops, his ‘jigsaw’ dress was worn for a high profile wedding (remaining anonymous!!) and was created from old, incomplete jigsaws and shoelaces.  His other creations include a dress worn by Lady Gaga and the ‘Liquorice’ dress which appeared on the catwalk.  These are amazing creations and a true representation of ‘Upcycled’ fashion. 

Sara Li Chou Han presented her denim creations which had a Gothic inspiration running through her collection; the garments are ready-to-wear and made from various denim off-cuts which created these edgy pieces.  Sara is now studying Upcycling as a Masters topic at MMU so it is clearly a passion for the designer.  She also runs workshops in Manchester which teach the public how to ‘Upcycle’ their own clothing, the workshops are called Stitched Up and look great fun so definitely worth a visit!



 

Other designers at the event included Antiform: ready-to-wear, Caroline Dionne: creations from old school trouser and blazers, Love Me Again: colour block knits and workwear, TRAIDRemade: ladies and men’s clothing inspired by print, Constanze Friedrichs: Androgynous sportswear and Susan Lang: ready-to-wear and bespoke, print influenced womenswear.

                                           
Whilst the 'Frow' wasn’t as stylish as New York Fashion Week and the models didn’t rival those of Victoria’s Secret, the event was great.  The idea behind ‘Upcycling’ fashion is exciting and should be publicised more widely.  I spoke to one model who said he expected to be wearing bin liners and rubbish when he accepted the job but to his surprise he loved his ‘Upcycled’ shirt and would wear it out. There was a great turn out at the event and the attendees seemed to really enjoy the evening...especially the free buffet and yummy canapés! They were fascinated by the concept of 'Upcycling' and many seemed keen to partake in workshops and future events to expand their knowledge and usage of this nature of fashion styling.

It just goes to show, you should not judge before you try and as 2.1 million tonnes of clothing is bought each year, with 1.4 million tonnes thrown away, ‘Upcycling’ is definitely one to watch!

Hold The Front Page...

This week I became a real writer and got my first ever by-line!!  

It felt so good when I received the email saying my article was ready and it looks amazing too.  If you read my earlier posts, you will know I wrote this a while ago so it is long anticipated...and it was worth it.  I am so proud of this piece and hopefully it will be the first of many as I really enjoyed writing it and it will look amazing in my portfolio.

The finished product >>>

































It is tiny and hard to read so here is the link if you fancy it My First Fashion Piece It is a pdf so scroll through and I'm on page 11.


With all the excitement, I have been lacking on the fashion front but I have been making my Christmas list.  I am desperate for a new camera, then I can venture out and take photos of all the amazing fashion out there; I just hope Santa is seeing all this good work I'm doing.....

In keeping with the Christmas theme, we had a girls night this week and my uni friend went all out with an amazing glittery outfit enough to rival the fairy on top of the tree.  Her dazzling Miss Selfridge skirt made such a statement and she cleverly teamed it with a nude blouse so as not to steal its limelight, and with those legs who could not love it!!

I on the other hand opted for the faithful LBD, bought not long ago from River Island it is my go to dress this party season.  Not quite elegant enough for the Christmas parties but a definite winner for a night on the town, it has just enough detail to make it unique and I can switch my accessories at will.



This time I opted for my all time favourite Marc Jacobs clutch, all the way from New York, it is the one accessory I cannot do without.  The deep plum colour is unusual too so it vamps up my little black dress perfectly.















So I have spent my week mostly being excited about numerous things and my uni work has suffered to my dismay!!  I shall be hitting the library to swot up on my fashion knowledge, but next week I shall be attending a very special catwalk show and fashion event so watch this space...

Serious Shopping

True to my word, I went home and boy did I get inspiration! It felt so good to be on home turf for a change, and it was a great excuse for a trip to the shops before the crazy Christmas shoppers take over each and every highstreet.  

I took the mothership along with me so I didn't get lost in the crowds; this is always a naughty combination as it generally results in mass purchases and tired bank accounts...but lots of fun!

Surprise surprise, it was the best shopping trip I have had in a long time.  Our first stop was Bertie, I had heard there was a sale on and since I first stumbled upon the store at the start of Summer it has been my favourite shoe store ever since.  I could have quite happily bought the whole sale rack of shoes are they are so beautifully made and all leather so will last a lifetime; however I was on my best behaviour and settled for two pairs of amaze-ting new shoes!

  

I just HAD to have these Brown loafers, they are so unusual...and so comfortable!  These shoes will never go out of style and I have already been showing them off at uni, needless to say they gained many compliments and a few jealous eyes.

My second pair carries on the androgynous theme and are also quite unique, they are like wearing slippers all day long and they go with everything!

There was an gorgeous third pair of bottle green penny loafers which I was very reluctant to put back on the shelf, but my bank account would have exploded; I would go back and buy them in an instant if someone supplied the funds! But for now I am ever so happy to be strutting around in these beautiful pairs.

We did leave the store with three pairs of shoes...mum invested in these bargain heels which were so irresistible it would have been wrong to put them back on the shelf!  They will go with work outfits and party outfits...and maybe some of my outfits. 




 

I think it is safe to say Bertie did very well off us entering their store and mum and I left Bertie with the biggest smiles...and biggest shopping bags! I can't wait to see what their new collection will be like as I am sure to be there picking my new favourites.
 

My next stop was Topshop, my old favourite and I knew exactly what I wanted...I have had my eye on a midi jersey skirt for some time now and I just knew Topshop would have the perfect one for me.  Originally I longed for a classic black, go with everything style but much to my dismay they only had teeny tiny sizes in store; my options were to walk out empty handed or opt for the less popular grey skirt.  I was reluctant with my body shape but I was desperate to own this skirt, so I chanced it with the grey one and I haven't looked back since!  It is much nicer than the black skirt and I haven't seen it 20 times already on my way around uni, I love having something that other people don't, it makes me feel more confident knowing that I have my own style and that I stand out from the crowd.

So here it is....

Those are my new Bertie black shoes too...see I told you they would go with everything! The skirt is double layered too so it is lovely and soft but also thick enough to keep you warm without tights if your brave enough.  

I am so ready for an uber stylish Autumn/Winter season, it is much more reassuring when you have your wardrobe just the way you imagined it before the season began.  So come on Mr Frost, I'm ready for you....