Relove Fashion, a competition created by local authorities in partnership with the Rediscovery Centre, has launched in time for the new school year.
The competition offers students an opportunity to take a second look at how we dress and make a fashion statement without creating more demand for resources
Wicklow County Council led the development of the competition, winning the Excellence in Local Government award for its creation.
In a world of fast fashion, we can easily overlook the impact that industry has on our planet and its resources. Fashion causes damage when we grow cotton to make textiles, to make clothing, and as we ship it around the world to sell in our stores and online.
Fashion doesn’t have to be fast and temporary. Quality clothing and textiles can be very durable and a good garment is one that is timeless yet stylish.
The ability to work with textiles, recreate them and give them new life has always been central to the fashion industry. This competition aims to allow students to test their design skills by using older fabrics or recreating something from an older garment.
A new contemporary look is created without the use of new resources. Part of the vision for a circular economy is a transition from disposable fast fashion to an industry that will harness the circular economy, conserving resources while creating jobs and adding value to products.
Relove Fashion is giving students a platform to demonstrate their textile skills, their creativity in design and their commitment to sustainability. Participants can be individual or team. They have to record their design process on a mood board, produce their garment by early January and also be quizzed on their views on sustainability in the textile and fashion industry.
The competition, which is open to all second level students in Wicklow, fits well with the Home Economics curriculum and also with the Art curriculum. In some schools it has been undertaken as a TY project.
Students can register to take part at www.relovefashion.ie. All registered from 30th of September will be entered into a free drawing to win a sewing machine for their school. The costume created for the contest must be submitted by the 13thth of January. A teacher’s pack is available which provides more information on the competition.
