FUTURE FABRICS VIRTUAL EXPO LIVE, 1 – 8 JULY, 2020:
Future Fabrics VIRTUAL Expo LIVE, 1st – 8th July 2020, hosted a curated week of online events and material resources dedicated to sustainable materials sourcing solutions.
We contextualised the materials showcased on our Future Fabrics Virtual Expo website with informative educational content and insights from industry experts via live panel discussions, spotlighting the latest innovations around circular fashion, recycling technologies, and regenerative agriculture.
On 6th July, we also joined forces with NEONYT Berlin, who curated a group of industry experts, designers, and change makers for a special content partnership. The Sustainable Angle and NEONYT are aligned in the same mission to bring together change in the fashion industry, through collaboration, educational content and showcasing sustainable solutions.
FUTURE FABRICS VIRTUAL EXPO LIVE SCHEDULE, 1 – 8 JULY, 2020:
Guests were able to tune in to all sessions live on our social media platforms Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube
HIGHLIGHTS
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- The Future Fabrics Virtual Expo website was FREE to access during the event, showcasing over 1,300+ globally-sourced, commercially-available fabrics and materials with a reduced environmental impact including materials from regenerative agriculture, agricultural waste, regenerated cellulosics and more.
- Sustainable materials from around the world in a diverse range of fibre categories such as: materials from regenerative agriculture, agricultural waste, regenerated cellulosics such as TENCEL™ Lyocell and REFIBRA™ Technology by Lenzing Group; innovative labelling solutions from Avery Dennison RBIS; recycled natural materials, organic cottons, low impact wools and animal fibres, sustainable silks, linens, bast fibres, responsibly-produced leather and innovative alternatives to animal skins
- In partnership with TECHSTYLE: the Future Fabrics Virtual Expo currently showcases a selected display of sustainable materials that can be purchased directly on the TECHSTYLE platform. TECHSTYLE is a digital sourcing platform that connects apparel brands and fabric suppliers in the most efficient, accessible and transparent marketplace
- Informative educational content and resources: Explore more materials and more content around sustainable fashion solutions on our website – deep dive into our educational content, resources, reports, masterclasses and more. Learn about how fibres are grown and their impacts on climate, biodiversity and the oceans if produced conventionally; and the importance of securing a sustainable supply chain. Follow us on Instagram Live for interviews with mills and suppliers featured in our Future Fabrics Expo
- A dozen panel discussions held by thought leaders, experts, and change makers such as ELLEN MACARTHUR FOUNDATION, NEONYT, Fashion for Good and more. We hosted a special discussion on “Exploring the connections between Environmental and Social Justice” featuring Orsola de Castro, Bel Jacobs and Eden Diodati.
The Future Fabrics Virtual Expo is an online discovery and sourcing platform for sustainable textiles and materials, recently re-launched with increased search capability and the opportunity for direct contact with international mills. Virtual Expo users can access thousands of featured materials that have a reduced environmental impact. Each fabric is listed with technical specifications and sustainability focused information, making it a valuable tool for both designers and buyers new to the area, as well as those with established sourcing strategies.
Given that most fashion brands’ impacts originate from their use of raw materials, the Future Fabrics VIRTUAL Expo LIVE aims to enable a holistic understanding of complex sustainability issues, promote informed decision-making and most importantly, provide the tools for it.
EVENT DETAILS:
Future Fabrics VIRTUAL Expo LIVE
Date: 1st– 8th July, 2020.
Twitter: @Sustainable_Ang | Instagram: @thesustainableangle | Facebook: @TheSustainableAngle
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: In line with new Government advice we have adopted COVID-19 measures in our expansive new studio in West London. Open for private bookings from 18th May 2020.
For private bookings: up to 10 people at a time, where one person will be allowed access to one rail at a time, maintaining safe distancing of 2m.
We will distribute masks should you not have any yourselves. All staff is equipped with masks. Hand sanitizer available to all visitors.
Advisory services: for those that prefer to work from home, we offer bespoke sourcing and consultancy sessions, online, via zoom, directly from our studio.
You can book interactive online access to materials of the Future Fabrics Expo. Our team will personally guide you during this digital sourcing session, providing detailed camera access for zooming in to see fabric qualities up close.
Please email us on info@thesustainableangle.org
We look forward to seeing you.
The Sustainable Angle
Our new masterclass Mastering Sustainability – material sourcing for designers will be held at our West London Studio on the 7th November.
We have added more dates for our masterclasses due the high demand we had from fashion brands following on from our previous classes earlier on this year.
”With clear presentations, inspiring examples and hands on sample exploration, the Future Fabrics Expo Masterclass has really given me the further understanding and confidence to begin making lasting sustainable changes in my own company.” – Matthew Oliver, Product Designer, Larsson & Jennings
The first in the series will teach designers about material sourcing and the decisions that need to be made as a designer from a sustainable angle. Furthermore we give attendees the chance to discover a diverse range of sustainable materials and resources from the Future Fabrics Expo collection. They will receive our coveted sustainable sourcing guide, which includes a list of suppliers and their contact details.
What to expect:
The Masterclass runs from 9.30am – 12.30pm at 9.30am we’ll have coffee before a prompt start at 10am. You will experience over 3000+ materials with a lower environmental impact, touch and feel them at your leisure after learning about what you should be taking into consideration when sourcing materials sustainably. The masterclass is an interactive and tactile experience to interest and inspire you. You will be given guidance to prepare you for the decisions you’ll need to make as a designer when sourcing and makes it easier for your brand to integrate sustainability at the heart of what you do.
- Experience a selection of over 3000+ materials and textiles with a lower environmental impact.
- Get hands on with more sustainable materials and exciting innovations. It includes trims and cords, fibres such as regenerates, recycled fibres, wool, organic cotton, low impact leather and leather alternatives as well as innovative new materials.
- Learn about sustainable practices within the fashion industry in general.
- Read detailed specifications for how each material on display is uniquely sustainable.
- Learn about certifications for sustainable textiles and leathers
The Future Fabrics Expo is a showcase of innovative and traditional commercially available fibres, fabrics and products that embody a range of sustainable principles and new technologies, sourced from international suppliers and mills who demonstrate a commitment to lowering environmental impact across the textile supply chain. It includes more sustainable alternatives to the widely available conventional fabrics that currently dominate the market, helping fashion companies to begin diversifying their fabric base and lowering their environmental impact at the same time. Materials at our studio will be ideally suited for a wide range of market levels and product types.
Early Bird tickets starting from £90 (Normal price £130) you can book now >>>> http://bit.ly/2wTw1zk
The Future Fabrics Expo Masterclass will be held at our West London studio, London.
The nearest tube stations are:
– Ladbroke Grove – only 0.6 miles from our studio
– Kensal Green
– Kensal Rise Overground
Please contact us if you require further information at info@thesustainableangle.org
See more testimonials from our Masterclasses here:
https://www.thesustainableangle.org/future-fabrics/about/testimonials/
written by Charlotte Turner
Last week we hosted the first group Future Fabrics Expo workshop at our studio in West London, following requests after hosting the 4th Future Fabrics Expo and seminar in September. The workshop proved to be an engaging and inspiring day for both the participants and for us.
We opened the doors to a group of designers, buyers, fabric technologists and others from high street to high end brands, to explore our collection of over 1500 globally sourced materials with a reduced environmental impact, and to learn about the latest sustainable material innovations and global initiatives through presentations and activity based discussions.
Amanda Johnston presenting sustainable material innovations from the 1500+ materials collectionAfter looking at the current textiles landscape and the imperatives for improving working practices and impact in the textiles and fashion industries, we presented innovations from ground breaking new leather processing methods, to solvent free coatings, bio-based polyester, closed loop fibre processing, 3D printing and biodegradable sequins to name just a few.
In addition, commercially available material opportunities presented ranged from bi-product fish leather to organic silk, recycled polyester and nylon, Tencel denim, luxury hemp, GOTS certified digital printing, bi-product oyster shell blends, plus many more natural and man made materials which meet our environmental sustainability criteria. These materials plus hundreds more fabrics selected from our collection can be found online at www.futurefabricsvirtualexpo.com.
It was fantastic to see a common interest in reduced impact materials and production methods from such a range of companies, and especially interesting to see the variation in prior knowledge of sustainability. This really showed that it’s imperative that different departments and levels within companies join the dots and ensure all teams and areas of the company are on the same page when it comes to sustainability.
If you are interested to participate in one of our future workshops or discuss a tailored workshop within your company, or if you would like to recommend materials, mills, brands or initiatives to include, then please contact us. In the meantime, you can keep an eye on our blog and newsletter for news, and visit the Future Fabrics Virtual Expo to discover and source sustainable materials.
Written by Charlotte Turner
The Sustainable Angle’s studio near Ladbroke Grove and Portobello Market in West London is now open for appointments.
Get in touch to arrange an appointment to view our comprehensive range of over 500 individually selected fabrics and trims with a reduced environmental impact, which adhere to our environmental criteria set out with the Centre for Sustainable Fashion related to biodiversity, water, waste and energy, and are sourced from over 50 international mills and suppliers.
The collection includes fabrics made with post-consumer coffee grounds, castor oil plant, recycled polyester suede, organic cotton lace macramé, recycled nylon and polyester lingerie and outer lace, closed-loop processed cellulosic fibres, and a wide range of GRS, GOTS, Oeko-Tex, Bluesign, Organic Exchange and Soil Association certified fabrics. Also on show are dyeing and finishing companies which utilise innovative natural and certified processes for use on fashion and home textiles.
The products on display are suitable for a wide range of price, minimum and lead-time specifications, and we are happy to work with you to discuss individual requirements, and recommend fabrics and production techniques which best reflect your company’s aesthetic and ethos.
Services available on discussion:
- Private viewing of the Sustainable Angle’s sustainable fabrics and trims
- Materials and sourcing consultation available on request
- Tailored presentations of products and mills / suppliers
The studio is accessible by appointment only. Please e-mail info@thesustainableangle.org for more details and to book an appointment, or to discuss our services.
