We held Brighton’s first Sustainable Fashion Week ‘The Rewear Revolution’ at the Dome in September 2023, and had over 2,000 people through the doors. The event was free and fully accessible
SFW is part of a wider national campaign, started in Bristol by our colleague Amelia Twine. The Brighton version was born out of a collaboration between Sew Fabulous and Brighton Peace and Environment Centre and continues to grow and develop
The event was produced and supported by a core team of 7 plus another 75 event volunteers from the local community.
Why is a sustainable fashion week needed?
We all wear clothes. Fashion negatively contributes to environmental degradation, huge carbon outputs and 300,000 tons of clothing and textiles going to UK landfill every year.
SFW is the alternative to mainstream fashion events. It is an inclusive community event for the people of our city.
During our packed weekend we ran a busy program of events including:
- 4 x flashmob runway shows from Artwear, Brighton MET, Ecosystem Incubator, and local Brighton designers
- 2 x Film screenings of Fashion Reimagined and The True Cost, in collaboration with the EuroMernet Film Club
- 3 x Panel talks, on ‘Fast Fashion as a Feminist Issue’ led by Ngoni Chikwenengere, ‘Made in Brighton’ led by Lauren Bravo, and ‘Circular Fashion, Unpicked’ led by Besma Whayeb. We had 17 speakers in total
- 1 x Citizens Assembly, with conclusions fed back to Brighton & Hove Council
- 6 x Workshops, hosted by Sew Fabulous and tutors including TOAST, Denim Recon, Julie French, Jayne Eagle, and Dani Dawkes. Attended by 60 people
- 1 x Repair Café hosted by Sew Fabulous, with free access to sewing machines and on-hand guidance. Over 40 garments were repaired
- 30 x Market Traders, handpicked to promote sustainable, circular, and fair fashion. Including local community groups Gladrags, Network of International Women and Superlooper
- 1 x massive Clothes Swap hosted by Sew Fabulous, with 505 garments being swapped!
We had a LOT of very positive press coverage – Read all about it in The Independant, The Evening Standard, ITV, and Brighton and Hove News
Sustainable Fashion Week is more than an event; it’s a movement towards conscious consumption and responsible fashion choices. As part of its commitment to accessibility, all SFW events are open to the public for free, with the aim to inspire a community of changemakers that look good and do good!
Follow @sfwhub.brighton for the latest updates and event announcements: https://www.instagram.com/sfwhub.brighton
Find out more about SFW Hub in Brighton: https://www.sustainablefashionweek.uk/brighton-hub