- Diana Uprichard
THE THRIFT FASHION SHOW
Dolly/Depot Thrift Fashion Show
On Saturday 29th September Dolly Clothing and Depot cinema joined forces to present a sell out Catwalk Event showcasing wares from Lewes thrift shops in an effort to help change views on second-hand clothes and raise awareness of a more sustainable way to obtain and wear them.
In my work I deal with both ends of how we wear our clothes, I make them, I sell them and I mend them.
We teamed up with the independent charity Depot Cinema in Lewes, where they take considered decisions about all products they buy, even their uniforms are made of recycled plastic bottles.
In tune with Depot’s core value of inclusivity 20 Depot staff bravely volunteered to be specially trained by ex-catwalk models Karen Dobres and John Rawlinson, and choreographer Virginia Farman, to strut their stuff - in outfits carefully curated with passion, daring and playfulness by myself, designer Emma Carlow and stylist Angela Wadman.
Alternative Lewes’ Anthea Barbary was MC during the event which took place in the gallery and foyer of the cinema which became a runway for one hour.
Union Music Record Store of Lewes sourced and played vinyl music especially for the show, from their extensive second-hand records selection.
I stitched goody bags, from scraps that would otherwise have gone to landfill, and were provided for all attendees, who were invited to stay behind and buy anything that caught their eye on the catwalk. We took an amazing £750 at the post show sale which went back to the charity shops and all the ticket proceeds were donated to Fashion Revolution.
It was an amazing event and a huge success on so many levels - body positivity, team building, social enterprise, local community as well as the main issue of sustainability in the clothing industry. A truly life affirming day!
I can’t wait to do it all over again!
Diana
