Events challenges the future of fashion industry

STUDENTS from the Department of Apparel had the chance to put their questions to some of the biggest names in fashion after they were invited to “Fashion Question Time” at the House of Commons.

Observer journalist Lucy Siegle, model Lily Cole and Shadow Secretary of State for International Development Mary Creagh were among the names presenting at the event, which explored the future of the $2.5 trillion global fashion industry.

Questions on the future of the fashion industry covered a diverse range of topics including reshoring production to the UK, how to best ensure fair wages for garment workers and how to track the provenance of clothing back beyond the factory floor to the cotton fields.

Other topics included what to do with second-hand clothing to avoid damaging the economies of developing countries, whether we can reverse the collective mind-set around disposable fashion and how to change the lexicon of sustainable fashion to re-engage our audience.

New revolution

The visit was part of a push by the department to embed sustainability into the curriculum. Zoe Hitchen, Lecturer in International Fashion Promotion, said: “It’s really about getting students engaged in sustainability – this is a one in a lifetime opportunity to be part of a new revolution.”

While they were there International Fashion Promotion student Anna Smolovyk, Student Ambassador on the Connect project, interviewed a number of speakers for the Connect website.

Connect is an international project looking at fashion innovation, for which MMU has teamed up with Buffalo State College, the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.

Anna spoke to model and fashion activist Lily Cole, Jenny Holdcroft, Policy Director at IndustriALL Global Union, Journalist and Broadcaster Lucy Siegle, stylist Grace Woodward, Prof Dilys Williams from the Centre for Sustainable Fashion UAL, Shadow Minister for International Development Anas Sarwar MP and Allanna McAspun, CEO of Made By.

Global resources

Runners up of the Connect project, Charlotte Robinson and Nathalie Bannon interviewed Carry Somers and Orsola de Castro, Founder and Co-Founder of Fashion Revolution, who are marking a commemorative day for the Rana Plaza disaster .

The Connect website will go live on Thursday, March 5, and will provide a platform for resources which can be accessed by staff and students at each of the four universities involved.

The team also tweeted about their experiences at the House of Commons via @mmu_connect.

Notes to editors

For more information, contact Kat Dibbits in the MMU press office on 0161 247 5278 or email K.Dibbits@mmu.ac.uk