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Bristol Cathedral show to highlight impact of fashion industry

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Bristol Cathedral show to highlight impact of fashion industry

Dave Challenger Photography A woman walking on a catwalk wearing a white and blue dress and white lilies on her head. People are watching from the sides.Dave Challenger Photography

The designers are “producing fashion that is in harmony with nature”

A sustainable fashion show at a cathedral hopes to highlight the impact of the textile industry on the planet.

Fashion on Earth will explore clothing “created in harmony with nature” and include a makers market, poetry, live readings, pledges, music performances and a catwalk.

Run by Sustainable Fashion Week [SFW], the event at Bristol Cathedral will be set against the backdrop of artist Luke Jerram’s immersive exhibition Gaia: Our Home Planet.

“We want people to come away feeling something rather than just having information,” said SFW founder Amelia Twine.

“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,” she added.

Ms Twine said the show was taking a different approach to SFW’s usual events, by incorporating performance, poetry and display, “where we would normally opt for the power of skills learning, swaps and talks”.

Amelia Twine Amelia Twine, who has long light brown hair and is wearing a t-shirt that says "save the future" on it.Amelia Twine

Ms Twine said the event was “totally about feeling” with guests encouraged to “inquire about your relationship with clothing”

Lauren Reed, stylist and director of the community catwalk, said: “Community is key to change.

“The creative inspiration for the runway comes from looking at the current state of the Earth’s soil and how we can work towards a regenerative approach.”

She added: “If a community can pull together like this we are unstoppable.”

“Creating fashion that acknowledges planetary boundaries and our interconnectedness with nature is so important,” said Emma Hague, of South West England Fibreshed.

She said: “Using the gravitas of the cathedral to frame this conversation not only amplifies what we are exploring at Fashion on Earth, but also gives us a platform for celebration.”

Oak Choir A group of people singing, some with their hands in the air and a person on a drum kit near the camera.Oak Choir

The night will feature performances by Oak Choir a local community group led by musician Rachael Dadd

Ms Twine explained that while fast fashion brands such as Shein were still growing, there was a “massive uptake in awareness” around sustainable fashion, including a huge rise in second-hand shopping.

According to a study by online thrift store Thred Up, sales of pre-loved clothes are predicted to overtake fast fashion by 2030.

The designers chosen for the event use a variety of textiles, including reclaimed fabrics, certified organic cotton and local, regenerative wool.

Plaster Commnunications Luke Jerram's Gaia, a large globe hanging from the ceiling of Bristol Cathedral with blue lighting around it and people looking around.Plaster Commnunications

The show will take place under Luke Jerram’s to-scale version of the Earth

The models on the night will be people from the local community with representation from Able Model Management, which offers modelling opportunities to those who feel misrepresented.

They will be supported by make up and beauty students from South Gloucestershire and Stroud College.

Fashion on Earth takes place at Bristol Cathedral from 18:30 GMT on 6 November.

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