WELCOME
Welcome to SustFashWales where you can find out about how to be a proactive fashion wearing citizen!
LATEST NEWS:
For the latest news please be sure to follow the SFWales Instagram!
New Events Area!
There is now a special area on the site for all your events as well as ones organised by myself or SCTCymru!
Head over to Events Spotlight too see local events across Wales or details on how to submit your own!
Open letter to the Secretary of State for Education: Sustainability and climate change education in the National Curriculum
More comprehensive inclusion of climate and environmental sustainability in the National Curriculum will ensure that all schools are required to educate young people on these issues and to ensure that they leave school prepared for the future.
Sign Global Action Plan‘s Open letter to Rt. Hon. Bridget Phillipson MP, Secretary of State for Education here.
Dw i’n Dysgu Cymraeg!
Dw i’n trio siarad mwy o gymraeg
I have recently started re-learning Welsh and it’s motivated me to use more of our beautiful language. You may have noticed that some of my Instagram posts have been bilingual over the last few months. I have been using the amazing Helo Blod service to support me in this and now plan to not only develop Welsh language educational resources but over the coming months creating a Cymraeg friendly site too!
For now, head over to the Education Resources, in particular the Home Activities page to find the brand new Cymraeg Resources free to download and use at home or in the classroom!
Mae croeso i chi 🙂 / You’re welcome 🙂
Second Hand Senedd Takeover!
SCTCymru X Oxfam Cymru Celebrate Secondhand September
It was an honour to be invited back for our @sctcymru private event at the @seneddwales last week, in collaboration with @oxfam_cymru to mark #SecondhandSeptember. I got to speak to many MS’s and colleagues about my educational research and sustainable fashion in Wales.
For more pics and info head to the Instagram post!
Second Hand September
Take the Oxfam Pledge of No New Clothes in September!
Oxfam’s Second Hand September challenge is back for I believe, the 8th year! Each September, Oxfam challenges us all to buy no new clothes and instead think about buying second hand instead. You can find out more by visiting this Oxfam page.
I’m also super excited to share the partnering between myself and @sctcymru organisations, with @oxfam_cymru this year! We’re also organising an event to mark this, which also coincides with @sustainablefashionweek_uk 🙌
Check out my socials for more info, updates and some secondhand inspiration!
SustFash Senedd Takeover!!
Celebrating all Sustainable fashion in Wales with SCTCymru
A few days ago we were invited to the Senedd to host a sustainable fashion event. After a panel discussion we chatted to many MS’s about fashion impacts but also all the amazing organsations, individuals and businesses doing good here in Wales! I particularly enjoyed hearing from Huw Irranca-Davies, who closed the event with his stories of his love of secondhand fashion. It’s quite inspirational to hear so many people championing a more sustainable option of consuming clothes, especially those at the “top”.
Check out my socials for more info and pics 🙂
SustFashWales YouTube Channel!
Learn More & Create!
Did you know SustFashWales has a YouTube channel? It has a whole load of educational and creative videos to help you connect to your clothes and look after them to make them last longer.
It currently has many HOW-TO videos rnaging from threading a needle, ice tie dye, repairing, embroidery and even using bleach as a dye.
Head over to the SFW profile here!
DIRECTORY UPDATE!
It’s been a while!
I can’t believe how fast time goes by, sadly many brands are no longer trading but there are so many new amazing individuals across Wales so I thought it’s about time I did an update of the directory! The BUY category (Clothing:Accessories:Other) has now been updated with these amazing 12 brands…Can you spot yourselves?
NOTE: I’ll be updating the Create category soon, so if you know of any great sewing classes, course or groups please get in touch ASAP via hello@sustfashwales.org
DIRECTORY UPDATE!
SustFashWales needs YOU!
Are you a Welsh sustainable fashion designer/maker/brand/educator/group/org? Want to join the #SustFashWalesCommunity & be featured in the free online directory? Then get in touch by Saturday 23rd March to be included the spring update!
Email hello@sustfashwales.org for more info with “directory” in the title!
#Resolution6Rs is BACK!
And is now featured on Planet Earth Games!
Resolution 6R’s was set up by myself and Friends of the Earth Cymru back in 2019 . The aim is to challenge people to start the new year with a different kind of resolution:
To reduce the environmental impact of the fashion industry and to think twice before hitting the January sales! The #6Rs are a handy set of tips to make your shopping more responsible in 2024 and beyond.
The R6’s stand for:
Rethink – This is the first fundamental step to consuming responsibly and being an informed citizen. The simple act of questioning what we want or more importantly *need* is the first step to being more sustainable.
Refuse – If we can refuse to buy fashion that we know is damaging both socially and environmentally then we can make a big difference. This could be refusing to buy new or refusing to buy clothes made from synthetics which are basically made of plastic.
Reduce – Just simply reducing the amount of stuff we buy can have a hugely positive effect on the planet. Ask yourself do you really need another new item of clothing?
Repair – Prolonging the life of your clothes by an extra 3 months can reduce the carbon emissions of that garment by 10%!! And knowing what/how to repair is the first step in making clothes last longer!
Reuse – Transforming one old garment into a totally new item is a fantastic way to reduce your fashion footprint, plus creativity it’s great for your personal wellbeing too!
Recycle – At the very end of your garments life when it’s, falling apart at the seams we often have no alternative than to get rid of it. Pretty much all of our clothes can be recycled in some way or another… it should NEVER go in the bin!
Now you can take part in Resolutions 6Rs through the Planet Earth Games competition and they will award you 10 Planet Earth Games points.
If you are taking part then we’d love to see your posts about what you are doing for #Resolution6Rs – Tag @sustfashwales on Instagram with the hashtag #Resolution6Rs and I’ll share to my stories!
Open letter asking for a Microplastics Action Plan
Over 50 organisations, including Friends of the Earth Cymru, have signed a letter to Welsh Government asking them to act on the growing problem of microplastics.
Signatories are keen to work with Welsh Government to pull together the relevant organisations and experts to draw up a Welsh Microplastics Action Plan. We foresee this including things like addressing plastic microfibre release and microplastic pollution at source, and the provision of education about these issues in our schools.
REPORT: Fashioning Wales’s Future – our path to sustainable fashion and textiles
We’re facing a cost-of-living crisis and a climate emergency. How can fashion be more affordable, without costing the Earth?
The fashion industry is estimated to be responsible for around 10% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. It’s the second dirtiest industry in the world, next to the oil industry.
Of course, we have a limited influence on the global fashion industry, and many of the policy interventions that would help make a difference here are still reserved to Westminster, but when it comes to ideas and innovation, Wales has the potential to be a world leader in sustainable fashion.
SUSTFASHWALES NEWSLETTER!
I’m absolutely thrilled to launch the first ever SustFashWales Newsletter in February 2022! Click the issue below to view.
Want it sent directly to your inbox? Then fill out this short sign up form – Don’t worry I will never send any spam and I will not give your email address to anyone else.
DIRECTORY!
The SFW directory contains everything sustainable fashion related in Wales. It offers a one-stop-shop to be an active consumer and creator of responsible fashion. Click the menu’s above to take your to the BUY: CREATE: STUDY: TAKE PART!
Please get in touch via email if you would like to be featured in the SustFashWales directory! hello@sustfashwales.org
EDUCATION!
I’m currently working on a special education section of the website which will provide a range of resources for secondary and primary educators to use within the classroom! There will be more resources available over the coming months so keep an eye out!
SustFashWales is run by Helen O’Sullivan on a voluntary basis.
SustFashWales 