I went to do a talk today on the ethics of clothing, and had called it 'How clean are your clothes?' which I was told lead some to believe I was going to teach them how to do their washing. OK, so I did mention washing at 30C being better for the environment but I started with ethiscores from Ethical Consumer for the clothing shops they suggested, and discussed reasons for the low scores.

Jacket on view in Wardown Museum 2012

Then I talked about my Fashion and Textile Degree including the reversible Olympic jacket made to show the good and bad sides of the Games. 



I decided it was time I wore the dress and coat made from reclaimed fabrics as part of my final year projects - and found I had a jumper and tights (and hair!) that picked out the colour of a corduroy patch.

The dress and jacket modelled
in the college fashion show 2013

They were encouragingly positive about my fledgling business "Wild Angels" as, like those we researched while at college, older women don't want to be frumpy, but can't wear some of the stuff they may view with envious eyes in 'younger' shops! I should have had more stock made up - I might have sold more than the one t-shirt!

Offset Warehouse Garden Party

The Offset Warehouse Garden Party yesterday was a lovely affair in a beautiful garden in Hatch End - beds edged with natural logs, a pond with dark pink waterlilies and another with beady-eyed frogs watching the goings-on!

The place was bustling with people buying fabrics and patterns, eating very scrummy cakes, relaxing in the beautiful sunshine and enjoying fabric-related conversations. It was also possible to watch a spinner and an embellisher in action and pick up tips. It was altogether a lovely way to spend my birthday afternoon.








I didn't succumb to any more fabric but did buy a top from Riyka's first collection utilising reclaimed fabrics and leather with added embroidery and bead embellishment. It might need taking in for me, but I think I am going to wait till the cooler weather and try it over a polo-neck and leggings first.







It was great to chat with people studying fashion or who are already working in the industry and Rebecca (of Riyka) gave a very informative talk about the way her design process works alongside the reclaimed fabric she has available to create each season's lookbook. One person mentioned only having found Offset for sustainable fabrics in the UK so I was able to tell her about Fair Trade Fabric, which has a large range of cotton in different colours, stripes and checks. I have since remembered Greenfibres (mostly natural shades in a range of organic fibres inlcuding silk, hemp and linen as well as cotton) and Well Cultivated (who offer Oeko-Tex certified bamboo fabrics).