An evening event where old clothes will get a new lease of life is being held by The University of Sheffield accommodation services in collaboration with St Luke’s Hospice.
There will be a sustainable fashion show hosted by Residence Life along with Accommodation and Commercial Services Green Impact, tonight, at The Edge in Endcliffe.
It will promote responsible ways of shopping for clothing and textiles, with students modelling personally selected outfits from the St Luke’s store on The Moor.
Prior to the show, there will be a Makers Market, where students, staff and local residents will be selling their items all made from preloved products.
There will also be clothes swap where people can exchange old garments for something new.
Sustainability Coordinator, Andrew Woffindin, who has worked closely with students and staff on the show, said it will be bigger and better last year’s successful night.
When asked on the decision to partner with St Luke’s, he said: “It’s a local charity for local people. The hospice is absolutely second to none in giving care to those in their last moments.”
The show will be co-hosted by Social Media Influencer, Faye Wagstaffe, who runs the Instagram page Charity Shop Gal, that offers advice on how to style preloved and vintage items.
Wagstaffe gave up purchasing new clothes in 2019 after feeling that the fast-fashion industry was out of control.
She said: “This show really showcases the best of preloved clothes and sustainable outfits and shows people that you don’t need to buy new clothes.
“We’ve got to the stage of over consuming cheap and poorly made clothes. Buying second hand means these garments get a new lease of life don’t end up in landfill.”
Statistics published by Clothes Aid showed that 350,000 tonnes of unwanted clothing goes to landfill each year in the UK.
Wagstaffes’ own mother received care from St Luke’s Hospice, and she described that helping with the event was her way of giving back. St Luke’s is the only stand-alone adult hospice in Sheffield.
Jemma Dalton, Gift in Kind, at St Luke’s on The Moor said: “We touch a lot of people’s lives in the city and we’re so well supported, it’s fantastic.”
By getting involved with the event, Dalton hopes that St Luke’s will become more accessible to the wider community in Sheffield.
The event is running from 5-9pm at The Edge High Tor. Tickets are now sold out. A waiting list can be joined here.
