Karen Arthur takes the helm to help deliver a month of fashion and fun with sustainability at its heart. Lewisham’s London Borough of Culture gets a sartorial makeover in April with the launch of the Make Do and Mend creative challenge.
From 6 April, the We Are Lewisham Hub in Lewisham Shopping Centre transforms into the epitome of sustainable fashion as residents are invited to drop in and learn how to give old clothes a new lease of life. All equipment – including sewing machines – is provided but participants are welcome to bring their own material, if they wish.
Karen Arthur said:
“Fashion is all about self-expression. It should be fun and feelgood but without costing us the earth. Most of us have outfits languishing in the backs of cupboards and bottom of drawers that haven’t seen the light of day in years. Perhaps they’re broken, don’t fit or have gone out of fashion. Rather than binning them and adding to the millions of tonnes of clothes already on landfill – let’s make, do and mend.” With Karen’s help, guests will learn how to upcycle old clothes and the importance of fashion sustainability.
The month culminates in a fashion show in Lewisham Shopping Centre on Friday 29 April. Hosted by Karen herself, locals will have the opportunity to show off their stylish creations by hitting the catwalk themselves or having them modelled by someone else.
Children are encouraged to get creative too and throughout the Easter Holidays are invited to drop into the hub, where they will learn how to sew by adding fabrics and other items to a pre-loved coat. Their handiwork will be displayed in the catwalk show. Please note children will need to be supervised at all times by a parent or carer.
We Are Lewisham celebrates the borough’s rich diversity; providing a platform for the voices of local young people; inspiring climate action through art, music, performance, poetry, discussion and debate – highlighting the power of culture to create change. For more information, please visit wearelewisham.com