On 23rd July, Fashion Roundtable’s second Fashion, Politics and Empowerment Workshop looked at marginalisation, policy and empowerment through the lens of the fashion industry. 

On Tuesday 23rd July, Rt Hon Lord Deben, John Gummer, former Secretary of State for the Environment and now Chair of the Committee on Climate Change, and Tony Juniper CBE Chair of Natural England, provided evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee, chaired by Mary Creagh MP. 

Sustainability is an issue that cuts across party lines. In ‘Ode to Boris: Will Brexit really matter if Europe and the world are burning?’ Amy Nguyen examines what the latest Downing Street developments, with a very right reshuffle of the cabinet formed with the sole objective to deliver Brexit by October 31st, will mean for the sustainability and environmental agenda.

Luxury fashion has an almost complete absence of size inclusivity, and while the high street offers broader ‘plus size’ ranges, it suffers a lack of size standardisation which, when coupled with poor quality mass manufacturing, has led to cripplingly high return rates for retailers and stark inconsistencies in sizing— all of which has left consumers baffled and frustrated.

Our latest parliamentary meeting aimed to bring forth the significant concerns of manufacturers across the UK about hiring skilled labour after Brexit. Read a full run down of the minutes.

Our unique event, ’Global Britain, Local Stories’ successfully fused narratives from politicians, designers, curators, and educators in order to deliver a deeply informative and interesting depiction of culture and sustainability within fashion. The event stimulated compelling stories about the importance of locality and identity within contemporary designer’s work, encouraging the audience to consider the multitude of cultures and identities which exist simultaneously within our local communities, which can be utilised to unite communities

“Fashion like politics and indeed the FTSE 250 needs to recognise that inclusion and representation have to be core to systemic change. If businesses and politics are to represent those they serve then we have to see a radical transformation to create a sector which is inclusive and representative of all of us. From the power of the purple pound, to the estimated 60% growth of the modest fashion market to 2021, for businesses to connect with our consumers those in charge need to recognise the need for change in order to be effective and valued in these growing and important markets.”

We examine the shift in attitudes sparked by the likes of Stella McCartney, the menace of microfibres, water and energy conservation, as well as providing some eco-friendly laundering tips.

Manufacturers, machinists, academics and policy makers gathered on Monday 8th of July to discuss visas and employment for the UK garment manufacturing industry.

We already know fashion has a huge footprint and can have extremely negative impacts on the environment, but the story of fashion and modern slavery is only just beginning. As Clare Press reports…

The ‘Pink Pound’ is estimated to be worth £6 billion per year in the UK but rampant commercialisation of the Pride flag has raised questions about when it is appropriate to fly the flag or when it is just plain appropriation.

Bev Malik our Retail and Buying Director at Bev’s Paris showroom with Selena Wu. Selena is Bev’s Mentee in Buying and Retail thanks to a pilot Fashion Roundtable mentoring scheme.

For London Tech Week, Black Neon Digital and Fashion Roundtable hosted a panel event on Human Connectivity, Ethics and Fashion, discussing the importance of empathy and authentic connection and communication whilst interactions transition from the physical to the digital space. The shift from IRL to URL is happening across all aspects of life; it has become increasingly difficult to go through a day without using technology. Responding to the challenges and opportunities created by the fourth industrial revolution, the government launched the UK Industrial Strategy in 2018. (Image via Black Neon Digital.)

“The business model behind fast fashion is broken, damaging the environment and exploiting those who make our clothes. Our report set out practical steps that the Government should take to help fix the fashion industry. I’m astounded that the Government has refused to adopt any of our 18 recommendations. It shows they are out of step with the public, who want clothes that are socially, ethically and environmentally sustainable, and an industry that is ready to change.” says Mary Creagh MP

It didn’t take long for May’s colleagues to declare their candidacy. The moment the No10 door closed behind her after her resignation speech, tweets were flying around congratulating May while at the same plotting their own leadership bid.  

"The 18 Recommendations of the Environmental Audit Committee's Fixing Fashion Report provided clear guidelines to a government that admitted to a climate emergency only last month. It is disappointing that despite this, the government has not taken up any of the recommendations as a benchmark for real change in their response." Image via parliament.uk.

As well as submitting evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee’s Sustainability of the Fashion Industry Inquiry, Fashion Roundtable attended all of the fashion related committee meetings that the EAC hosted across Parliament and at the V&A. Image via Tolly Dolly Posh.

After a series of debates, meetings, headlines and speeches monitoring Theresa May’s progress in deciding the fate of Europe and the UK, the Prime Minister announced her resignation as Party Leader after three years in office on the 24th of May.

April marked the first Extinction Rebellion occupation, with Rebels setting up camp in Oxford Circus, Marble Arch, Waterloo Bridge and around Parliament Square. What is interesting about the group and their demands is that they are predominantly policy facing rather than consumer-oriented, demanding truth and legislation from politicians, and the creation of a Citizens’ Assembly to deliberate on climate change proposals.