Re-Fashion: The Denim Edition
We're back at Grand Arcade - Weekend 28/29 September
Re-Fashion is back at the Grand Arcade at the end of September with a brand-new line-up. Fresh from the fashion studios of Trash Chic, DressCode and RetroGusto we have an exciting selection of preloved and recycled clothing for men and women.
The theme of this weekend pop-up event is Denim. There are so many great things to do and ways to wear it, from vintage and personalised chic to upcycled and reimagined clothes – there’s a wide range of styles to explore.
As always, the environment and protecting our planet is central to this event, and this time we’re asking people to rethink their relationship with denim.
Are you a denim dumper?
It’s not a pleasant thought we know, no-one wants to think of their actions being shitty, whether that’s negatively impacting other people or our planet. But let’s be honest, denim dumping is very real and an elephant in the room that we need to address.
What can we do about it?
Together there’s a lot that we can do. This event is a celebration of three people’s passion to re-imagine and refresh fashion.
I've spent years upcycling vintage fashion. My passion for all things funky and individual has allowed me to develop a unique collection of preloved and customised clothes, and my thoughtfully curated collection allows women to explore their own style in an affordable way.
Andy Boothman, founder of DressCode Shirts is also a big fan of denim. Like so many people he likes the versatility and comfort, but he’s also very aware that every pair of jeans is produced at enormous cost to our planet. When they get damaged or wear through his conscience always said, “There must be something better we can do with this?”
Cosmin Diaconu, founder of RetroGusto, has developed an enviable reputation for innovative, upcycled fashion. His catwalk shows are renowned for his bold use of shape and texture. Cosmin also loves denim and has worked extensively with European commercial fashion operators, helping brands upcycle and extend the life of denim.
Kath Goodwin is an award-winning designer and stylist for Velvet Magazine. She will be offering styling sessions throughout the weekend with a focus on utilising your denim pieces. She can offer ideas and advice on how to up-style, even how to completely transform your clothing into new garments or accessories. Book your session here.
Community and collaboration
Andy shared his idea for upcycled denim with me and other friends from the world of design and fashion, all people who are equally passionate about sustainability. Andy was, as always, inquisitive, looking to see what they did with their used denim, how they dealt with damage, wear and repair. It became apparent to him that there was a limited life for nearly all denim, especially jeans, even for the more eco-conscious wearer.
Andy continued experimenting with denim, trying new things with old jeans. When he met Cosmin, founder of RetroGusto (also based in Cambridge) it quickly became apparent that they shared the desire to see denim being further recycled and repurposed.
Teamwork
Working side by side, Andy and Cosmin have developed a sustainable solution to stop the denim dumping. Andy’s initial ideas and Cosmin’s vast experience with denim have come together and through several sessions, working in the studio, side by side, cutting, pinning and testing they have created a brand new-old range of products. These items of clothing not only look great, but genuinely upcycle as much fabric as possible within every pair of denim jeans.
The hidden problems of denim
WATER CONSUMPTION
It takes over 3,780 litres of water to produce just a single pair of denim jeans.
CARBON EMISSIONS
Each pair of jeans carries a large carbon footprint (from production through consumer use to dumping), around 33.4 kg of CO2 per pair.
CHEMICAL USE
Denim production involves a number of harmful chemicals, including pesticides, fertilizers, dyes (indigo – both natural and synthetic) and finishing agents. All of these are not only harmful the environment they are also toxic for humans too.
VAST VOLUMES OF WASTE WATER
Denim production generates millions of litres of wastewater that contains these harmful chemicals and dyes. The dyeing and washing processes are ‘the unseen’ damage of denim production, carried out in places where people are exploited for profit.
The chemicals used in the dyeing process make all water used in production un-usable. This results in the rivers local to the source of denim production turning blue! These polluted watercourses will then spread these toxic chemicals far and wide, contaminating plants and wildlife, the soil and other waterways, all which is bad for our planet and also bad for us, as we eat, drink and consume these toxins.
Why denim gets dumped!
We never set out to dump the denim. Our relationship starts out incredibly positive when we discover something that we like – the colour, the feel, the look of the fabric. We’re excited and we enjoy wearing it. But like any garment it does wear out, usually in the crotch on a pair of jeans. It’s also susceptible to damage, pulls or tears just about anywhere. And, of course, it stains and marks like any other material.
Unfortunately, when this happens many people dump the denim and replace it with more, increasing the pollution and further damaging the planet. At this point 90-95% of the denim is still perfectly usable! So, let’s stop dumping it and start recycling it.
Credits:
Julie Kervadec at the Grand arcade for her continued support and enthusiasm
Photography by Juliana Freitas
Art direction from Cosmin Diaconu of RetroGusto
Our media friend Velvet Magazine
Alex Elbro of Cambridge 105 Radio who continually gives us air time
For more information on the event please contact shop@trashchic.co.uk
