Feature
PIN-POINTING LABOUR RIGHTS FOR CHARITY
Student fashion show aims to raise awareness of sustainability issues within the clothing industry.
Alicia Lansom Leisure & Tourism LEEDS RAG fashion show is taking over University of Leeds student union this week in order to showcase the best of young fashion designers. The show is student led which works to fundraise money for a variety of local, national and international charitable causes whilst providing students with an exciting business experience.
Run by; the entire student committee, two directors and supported by a 60-person production team, this year’s show is its biggest yet. Clifford said: “Every aspect of the show, from the VIP goodie bags to the actual garments, have been carefully selected in order to promote our cause and to inspire change. We have also made this year more like a traditional fashion show, with the production element coming from the immersive set design and music, and so in our eyes making the show more like something you would see at London fashion week.”
This year’s theme is ‘sustainability’, which is a word rarely associated with fashion trends. But Clifford says it is a hugely important issue in the fashion world. She explains: “We live in a world that we are slowly destroying and so a simple change Winning Event of the Year in the 2012, in the way we behave in terms of fashion the Leeds Rag fashion show is one of is such an easy starting point in decreasing the most highly anticipated events on the our individual impact on the world. We student calendar. Howvever, the show is want people to come away with a clear not just important to Leeds students but to understanding of how fashion links to the Leeds creatives as well. cycle of the earth and make a change to their fashion-led behaviour.” Laura Clifford, one of the directors of the project explained, “We promote through The show continues to be successful with social media, flyering, and posters, all of last years show raising over £15,000 for its which call for people to get involved. We chosen charities. This years fashion show really tried to select a wide diversity of is raising money for two great causes whilst models for the show and I think our show exhibiting the latest trends. The first of is accessible to everyone.” the charities is Labour Behind The Label
which is the only UK campaign group that focuses exclusively on labour rights in the global garment industry. Nicola Round, campaign manager at Labour Behind The Label explains the thoughts behind the collaboration. She says: “We’re so excited to be supported by Leeds Rag fashion show! This is such a great way to show that supporting positive change in the fashion industry can be lots of fun.” The money raised on the night will support the campaign in various ways, Round explains: “The donations will support activities like training and mentoring activists; lobbying brands to commit to greater transparency; bringing a shoe worker from India to the UK to tell her own story and speak to brands, policymakers and citizens about conditions for her, and what changes we need to see.” The second charity of the night is the Cruelty Free International Trust which aims to promote alternative methods to animal testing. Clifford said: “Cruelty Free International works to abolish the practice of testing on animals for the cosmetics industry, as our theme focuses on the ‘cycle of the earth’ it is hugely important to include how we treat the animals of the earth.” The show takes place on Thursday 23 February at the University of Leeds refectory. Tickets are still available with starting prices from £16.
Page 11 | February 2017 | LeedsBusinessReview