Up-cycling fashion

This term girls in the Lower Sixth have spent their enrichment sessions researching the ethical issues that underpin the fashion industry. The girls were set a task to up-cycle and create their own piece of clothing that they showcased on the catwalk at the end of term.

Each group researched the ethics behind child labour, working conditions and pay in other countries including Turkey, Bangladesh and India. Their aim was to demonstrate the “cradle to cradle” process from the creation of the original garment to its new re-invention. The girls also had to decide how much they would sell their item for, how much they would pay their workers and ultimately how much profit they would make. This helped the girls understand the processes that retailers go through when pricing and selling their clothes.

For the final part of the project the girls had to present their research, model their newly up-cycled garment and explain their finances. The presentations were made to a panel of judges including Sarah Klymkiw, the Educational Officer from TRAID. TRAID is a charity working to stop clothes from being thrown away and reduce the environmental and social impacts that this waste has. The winning team on the day was “Monochrome” (Harriet L, Chloe W, Abigail V, Poppy N and Elisabeth P). Their focus was on the ethical working conditions in Greece and considered the retail brand Warehouse with an exploration of their ethical policy on garment production. The garment they produced was a mix of stripes and lace which could be worn on a night out.

Psychology teacher and Head of Careers, Mrs Cookson said “The girls did a fantastic job spending time outside of lessons researching different aspects of the fashion industry and how it affects us and people in other countries. As a school we are proud to support the TRAID initiative and there is now a TRAID recycling bin on the school grounds for all unwanted clothes to be recycled and either ethically disposed of or up-cycled into new garments.”

For more information about TRAID visit www.traid.org.uk.

Photos

Up-cycled fashion garments | on the catwalk | Monochrome, the winning team 

For more information contact:

Rebecca Conroy, Senior Marketing Executive, Pipers Corner School. Telephone 01494 719850 or email [email protected]

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