We hear from the sustainability team at the award-winning Leeds RAG Fashion Show about the top five ways they're implementing sustainability into the show.
Sustainability is a key topic everywhere at the moment, but particularly in fashion. From garment materials to controversies over manufacturing, not to mention waste, the industry is boosting sustainable practices more than ever. But how can an event be sustainable?
This year's Leeds RAG Fashion Show committee of over 50 student volunteers has, from the start, had sustainability at its very forefront. With its very own sustainability department, it has ensured every part of the process has been as low-impact as possible, making for an incredible planet-friendly event at every turn. We talk to Elise Ilkyaz and Imogen Lee-Savage to discover how they're able to make the fashion show sustainable:
As part of this year’s Sustainability Team for LRFS, we decided to look beyond the present and make choices that would positively impact future productions of Leeds RAG Fashion Show. Here are 5 ways RAG is practising sustainability this year:
1. Offsetting the show
The LRFS sustainability team is calculating the carbon emissions produced from the show and will be offsetting them to minimise the impact on the climate from its production
2. Prioritising durability
We are choosing to use products and decorations that can be passed down through generations of RAG fashion shows meaning we prolong the lifetime of the resources used and reduce waste
3. Considering sustainability of our partners and sponsors
Our sponsors are reviewed so we can make sure we are partnering with companies who’s ethics align with ours and who’s actions do not directly harm the environment
4. Refusing single use pollutants
We are prohibiting the use of single-use plastics and pollutants such as glitter and plastic tape, and instead are favouring more environmentally friendly and recyclable alternatives.
5. Considering environment in every action
A sustainability form has been established that allows the sustainability team to oversee the decisions of groups whilst ensuring that everyone has the environment at the forefront of their minds when planning the show.
This year, the event continues to combine fashion and fundraising by promoting fashion as a force for social change, raising money for Racial Justice Network and Stop Hate UK, all whilst being as sustainable as possible. You can donate directly via JustGiving.
Follow along on Instagram for more information, and grab your tickets now!
Image from Don Kaveen on Unsplash.