Fashion+ Events Programme 2009


Fashion + is a DfID funded project aimed at reducing poverty and creating sustainable livelihoods in the supply chains to the UK fashion industry.

2009 EVENTS: SPOTLIGHT ON SOURCING

Sourcing to sustainable standards is a challenge. It is also the main reason why the Ethical Fashion Forum gets more than 100 requests for information every week.

In response, the Ethical Fashion Forum is running a seminar series called “Spotlight on Sourcing”, as part of our Fashion+ project, focused on how fashion can change lives.

Register for each evening seminar separately for £10,  or for the whole year , (9 sessions) for £70 plus free membership of the Ethical Fashion Forum.

The series includes:
1. Evening seminars on the 3rd Tuesday of every month (excluding fashion weeks) featuring presentations by leading practitioners and experts, updates from suppliers, and structured networking.

2. Workshops for smaller groups, going into more depth on each of the issues raised by seminars. Run by experts and practitioners.
Workshop costs vary dependent on content.

REGISTER FOR THE FULL EVENING SEMINAR SERIES

All events are an opportunity to make valuable contacts to facilitate sustainable sourcing. To support this, we have created a social networking site so that all event participants can make contact before and after events. Registration for any event will give you an invite to join the online forum.


Spotlight on Sourcing Programme 2009


20th January , 6.30-8.30, Rich Mix
Seminar: Sustainable fabrics & components

Hear from sourcing experts and fashion business leaders, from the luxury sector, big business, and new business sectors, as well as several suppliers. Learn the options open to you, and how others have overcome challenges.

We already have a waiting list for the event, and numbers are limited, so 
REGISTER NOW to secure your place


February
Seminar programme at Pure and surgeries at Estethica- join the mailing list for updates

17th March
2-5pm Workshop- sustainable fabrics & components
Look in more depth at the fabric and component sourcing options for your business. Run by experts, practitioners, and with input from suppliers. 

We already have a waiting list for this event, and numbers are very limited, so
REGISTER NOW to secure your place

6.30-8.30 Seminar - Sustainable manufacture- getting it right
REGISTER NOW

21st April
2-5pm Workshop: Sustainable manufacture- getting it right 
REGISTER NOW
6.30-8.30 Seminar and networking: Working with small cooperatives
REGISTER NOW

19th May
Workshop: Working with small cooperatives
REGISTER NOW



WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS FROM MAY
Workshops and seminars will take place on the 19th May, 23rd June, 21st July, and 18th August.

We would like to take your lead on the content of these workshops and seminars.
The following topics have been suggested: 

Certifications and standards
Sourcing from China
Sourcing from Africa
Sourcing from India

Please send an email to info@ethicalfashionforum.com to register your interest in any of these of to make other suggestions.


Sign up to our mailing list to receive an update and invites to these events

FASHION+ LAUNCH EVENT
How Fashion can Change Lives
Wednesday 24th September, 6.30 - 9pm, Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London

Fashion Leaders Speak brought together 5 key representatives from different
industry sectors,
including large scale retail, manufacture, small business, and
designer fashion, to talk about the
initiatives they has put in place to benefit
the people behind their products. 


The event aimed to: 


•Go beyond the discussion of the sustainability challenges that face the industry, to give prac>cal   
examples of how fashion professionals and businesses have found ways to
address them. 

•Motivate the audience by what roles they can play to change lives. For
atendees to go away with
knowledge they can use, and to be inspired to get
more involved with Fashion+ 

  
On the panel: 
Designer label: Christine Driscoll, Edun 
Manufacturer: Amy Benstead, Stirling Group  
Pioneering small business: Ben Ramsden, Pants to Poverty  
Large retailer/ Buyer within large company: Claire Hamer, Topshop 
ITC/ UN: Simone Cipriani, Africa Inspires  
Panel Chair: Joanna Yarrow  
  



Fashion + is a DfID funded project aimed at reducing poverty and creating sustainable livelihoods in the supply chains to the UK fashion industry.


The project will do this through:
1.Increasing understanding of development issues amongst fashion professionals, in particular the opportunities for poverty reduction
2.Providing the tools and resources fashion professionals need to make informed choices in their working roles

The project aims to integrate training on development, poverty reduction and sustainable livelihood creation as a core part of all fashion business training in the UK.

Steering Group: Engaging Fashion Business Support Organisations
Working with fashion business support organisations and training bodies across the UK is an important part of the project. Round table and one to one meetings are being held on an ongoing basis and a project steering group will meet annually, to steer the project over a three year period. 

Training and Resources
Training events and resources will be developed around the following key themes:
 
Buying Practices: The ways in which fashion professionals can influence development through their purchasing practices
Suppliers : The global nature of the industry, fashion supply chains and opportunities for adding value  for communities through supply chain choices
People: Empowering the people behind fashion- Creating sustainable Livelihoods
Systems : Standards, Certification, Codes of Conduct, and auditing, in relation to fashion & textiles

The Fashion+ project was launched by the Ethical Fashion Forum  in May 2008 after receiving 3 year funding from the UK Department for International Development.

The Ethical Fashion Forum (EFF) is a network of designers, businesses and organisations focusing upon social and environmental sustainability in the fashion industry. The Department for International Development (DFID) is the part of the UK Government that manages Britain's aid to poor countries and works to get rid of extreme poverty.


If you would like to learn more or get involved with the project please send an email to info@ethicalfashionforum.com

Fashion+ Partners and supporters:

Centre for Innovation and Partnership (CIPS, Newham College)
Designer Forum
Eco Design Network
Environmental Justice Foundation
Ethical Trading Initiative
Fairtrade Foundation
Fairwair Foundation
Fashion Capital/Fashion Enter
Fashioning an Ethical Industry
Foundation Agency
Impactt      
London College of Fashion
Made By   
Make your Mark/ New Entrepreneurship Programme
Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS)
Organic Exchange
Own It   
PAN UK   
Portobello Business Centre
Skillfast UK