Fashion students put the style into recycling

Wednesday 07 October 2009

Fashion students at TVU Reading have been breathing new life into others' cast-offs and will be putting their eco chic creations on show at a charity fundraiser later this month in Henley-on-Thames.

The students, who are on the BA (Hons)/DipHE Fashion and Textiles programme at TVU, were set the green-themed task of creating something new from existing garments as part of their coursework. Working with a budget of £10, their brief was to produce on-trend, high quality pieces from clothes purchased from the charity sale at the Sue Ryder Care Hospice in Nettlebed. Using their imagination and dressmaking skills, the students set about deconstructing and reconstructing the unwanted items and turning them into stylish new 'one off' garments.

Melika Imoru, TVU graduate and head designer for fashion chain Jane Norman, and Nicole Hewitt of local hair salon Chi, were judges of the students' work and gave feedback. The students deemed to have most successfully captured the ethos of eco fashion will be taking part in the 'Fashion Forward 09' charity event on 17 October at the River & Rowing Museum in Henley-on-Thames, where their creations will be presented in the emporium and put up for auction.

Fashion Forward 09 has been organised by Chi Hair Salon of Henley in support of Sue Ryder Care and the River & Rowing Museum's Schools Access Fund. An exciting mix of fashion show, emporium and auction, the evening will start from 6pm. 'Speakers corner' will offer future perspectives with industry representatives, including the Ethical Fashion Forum, plus specialists presenting new trends for make-up and hair. The fashion shows will be compered by Henley Standard columnist, Angie Best, and the auction will bring together designers from across the region and give the public the chance to bid for a couture bargain.

Among the TVU students showing their work at the event is mature student Claire Mahoney who was selected as 'top of her class' for the eco fashion assignment. Claire, 28, of Sonning Eye in Oxfordshire, said:  

'When I first heard about the Sue Ryder competition I was very inspired and couldn't wait to get started. My enthusiasm for the brief, my designs and then the final garments that I entered into the competition have led to me being able to show my very own eco collection at the Fashion Forward show in Henley. This is a fantastic opportunity and an honour, and has given me a great boost. It's a project I hope TVU continue to run with future fashion students.'

Karen Heard, lecturer on the BA (hons)/Dip HE Fashion and Textiles programme at TVU, said:

'The fashion team at TVU are always keen for students to take part in events and opportunities like this. This brief challenged students to re-think usual design processes and, by presenting their work on a public stage, students have the chance to get external feedback which can really help them develop. We're excited about TVU's involvement in Fashion Forward; students have not only created unique outfits but are supporting the event behind the scenes, learning more about the future of fashion.'  

For more information about Fashion Forward, please visit www.ff09.com or www.chisalon.co.uk. Tickets cost £25 and can be booked online using PayPal.  

For more information about fashion courses at TVU e-mail learning.advice@tvu.ac.uk or call 0800 036 8888.

Notes

About Thames Valley University

1. Named No. 1 for graduate employment (Times Higher Education, July 2008).
2. Home to London's top hospitality school, providing integrated training from culinary arts to hospitality management.
3. Home to London College of Music, the leading specialist institution for pop music and music technology.
4. Ranked No. 1 for nursing and midwifery studies in England (Guardian university guide 2010).
5. The only university to offer a degree course developed in conjunction with Hewlett-Packard Limited, the leading technology solutions provider (Computer Systems Management FdSc).