Christian Aid shows how fashion can be stylish and ethical

An underground catwalk event is offering the capital's fashionistas something truly different next month.

'Fasion Deconstructed' will bring together London's most stylish and climate conscious to challenge consumers' choices and demonstrate how they can impact the planet for good by rewearing, reclaiming and revitalising their existing clothes.

The event, organised by Christian Aid, is taking place in a secret location ahead of London Fashion week and will showcase an array of vintage clothing, jewellery by Caipora, and ethically sourced and upcycled designs by Emma Rees and Feng Ho.

Guests will have the opportunity to contribute to a recycled fashion creation, enjoy live graffiti, video installations and beats by Elad.

The free event takes place on 15 February and hints and messages disclosing the final details will be left online at: fashiondeconstructedevent.blogspot.com/index.html

It promises to take the public on a journey through the production and supply chain of a typical high street garment, engaging them in the story of those who make the clothes and how they are transported from factory to shop to wardrobe. Through interactive exploration, the impact the textile industry has on the global environment will be exposed.

"The way clothes are made and purchased are a contributing factor to climate change," explains organiser Sofya Shahab.

"From the water and pesticides used to make the cotton in T-shirts, to the 1.2 million tonnes of clothing left to decompose in land fill sites each year, the textile industry is releasing a steady stream of toxic gases such as methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

"This is contributing to global climate change, which is already affecting millions of people living in developing countries as extreme weather patterns, droughts and floods destroy their livelihoods. These are the very people that have done the least to cause the problem."

Bianca Parry, Youth Manager for Christian Aid, said, "It’s up to us to shape the world we want to inherit in 20 years time. We have the power to change the future through the choices we make today.

"By reusing, rewearing and recycling our clothes we can assert individuality whilst also benefitting the environment."