Fashion revolutionaries

It’s Fashion Revolution Week, which is an annual global campaign bringing together fashion revolutionaries for a positive impact on the fashion industry.

Here at Solent, we actively encourage our students to think about sustainable fashion and concepts, inspiring them to think, challenge and create for a sustainable future. Through the use of our fashion wardrobe for students to borrow pieces from, creating their final collections around sustainable concepts and using AI and other digital software in an innovative way for the industry, our students are doing it all.

Final year student, Luiza Osam-Gyaabin’s project, ‘Reclaiming the Streets’ is inspired by abandoned cityscapes and street subcultures. Luiza said “From the start, I knew I wanted to use elements of upcycled denim, but while reflecting on how to improve the designs I chose to make it as my main medium. The majority of my collection is being made using donated clothes and deadstock fabric. I think in the current economy and throw-away culture that fast fashion is hugely responsible for, it's important to take a step back. We should focus on vintage and upcycling if we even want to have a future on our planet.” Luiza is using distressing, freehand embroidery, screen printing, sun-reactive dye printing, as well as airbrushing, to create textured and interesting surfaces.

As for the future, Luiza says “I hope that after graduation I will be able to continue working with upcycling and creating one-of-a-kind garments. Or help finding a way how to introduce upcycling to mass-produced fashion.”

Emma Karlsson’s final project, ‘Codependence’ is a collection looking at dependence and symbiosis in nature with a focus on sustainability. It sees her using only natural sustainable fabrics, using undyed, British wool (fleece that she has made her own fabric with, as well as knitted yarn garments), organic and/or more sustainable fabrics and GOTS pigment inks. She is currently working on a felted wool skirt and knitted jumper.

Our alumni have applied the sustainability ethos to drive their careers. Alumnus, Olivia Clayton, developed the Gifted and Free app where subscribers can share and gift unused, unneeded clothing to those less fortunate. Olivia also worked with local and national foodbanks to set up a service to share attire for celebrations and work interviews for those using the banks to support their families, and for homeless people unable to get a suitable wardrobe for work.

Lottie Griffiths created Thrifty magazine, available in print (on recycled paper) and on digital platform. It showcases the thrifting community around the UK, focusing on young entrepreneurs upcycling and thrifting as a career, and giving tips for those wanting to get into thrifting. The project built a huge community of both businesses and thrifters.

As part of her final project in 2020, Olivia Tuffrey developed a brand called Mad About Doin’ in association with upcycling and resale brand Depop, profiling the excellent creative businesses igniting the resale community. Olivia’s project was chosen as one of five worldwide to feature in the Depop Now, Next programme. This programme financially supported the establishment of the most innovative and creative sustainable projects to get off the ground as a real business. Olivia is now on her 5^th edition.

Spearheading various projects and workshops to bring together students, industry professionals and local residents, Lecturer, Zoe McCarthy said “While there's a clear demand for sustainable alternatives, navigating them can be challenging. Traditional fashion systems aren't built for rapid and affordable change. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by global issues like climate change, even though we're constantly bombarded with information. We care deeply, but investing in something new can be daunting without experiencing its benefits firsthand. The good news? We can start making a difference closer to home! By focusing on local environmental issues and utilising existing resources, we can gain a better understanding of sustainability and pave the way for broader solutions.”

Zoe is leading research into innovative practice in industry and higher education and has just launched ‘Solent Conscious Collective’ (SoCoCo). This initiative will focus on embedding ethical and sustainable thinking (and practice) across the university and in society through various projects and workshops that involve students, industry and local communities.

All these activities are part of our fashion courses: BA (Hons) Fashion and Beauty Media, BA (Hons) Fashion Design, BA (Hons) Fashion Management with Marketing, BA (Hons) Fashion Photography, BA (Hons) Fashion Styling and Creative Direction