Article Written By: Evelyn Richards
Sustainable Fashion Pop-Up is coming to Studio50 Hove this weekend for three days. It is an event that allows local brands to showcase their sustainable goods. From jewellery, to clothes, to homeware; Studio 50 Hove has it all!
“It's a Mecca for people who want high fashion without the cost and with the added element of extending an items lifecycle.” – Deborah Simpson Boston.
We had the opportunity to speak to Deborah Simpson Boston, the co-curator of Studio 50 Hove, who will also have a stall at the event for her brand HonestWoman.
Hi Deborah, thanks for speaking with us. Please tell our readers a little about yourself and your company.
"I'm Deborah, I've worked most of my career as a Fashion PR in London and Brighton and for the past ten years, I've been writing a blog about sustainable fashion and living. The blog is called DiaryOfAnHonestWoman however I'm currently changing the name to HonestWoman.
I also co-curate Studio 50 Hove and founded Sustainable Living Store and Sustainable Fashion Pop Up (a monthly pop up for preloved and sample pieces)."
Why is it important for everyone to make an effort to make their fashion more sustainable?
"As we all know fast-fashion and the fashion industry has an impact on the earth and its wellbeing. Making decisions in buying your clothes matter more than ever. By not buying high street fast fashion and buying into the slow fashion movement with samples, preloved and vintage you are continuing the life of an item. It's a lovely feeling to buy preloved and give the piece a new home."
Sustainable fashion has a bad rap for being unaffordable, what tips or advice do you have for students who want to be more sustainable but not break the bank?
"I don't make sustainable fashion (yet) I buy and sell it. There are always bargains to be had but I'm happy to negotiate a good price. Lots of preloved stores are now cropping up but don’t forget to shop the Charity Shops, Brighton has a plethora of good shops!"
What can we expect from your stall at the pop-up event this weekend?
"I've got the most beautiful pieces from Cos, & OtherStories, Jimmy Choo, Sarah Arnett and Jas MB. I've also recently sourced blankets and cushions from the Atlas Mountains in Morrocco.
We are so excited to have spoken to Deborah and learnt more about this fantastic event. Sustainability in fashion has become an increasingly important issue, and the opportunity to support sustainable local brands cannot be missed.
We also spoke to Pamela Hinchcliffe, co-founder of Patchy&Phinch, who will have a stall at the event."
Please tell us a little about yourself and Patchy&Phinch.
"Having taken early retirement from work I enrolled on a Masters qualification in the History of Design and Material Culture at the University of Brighton. I had wanted to undertake this course for many years to gain greater knowledge about clothing and fashion and the roles they play in our lives. I have collected and worn vintage clothing since my twenties so now three decades later, I have amassed quite a collection. It was at the point that I ran out of cupboards, drawers, wardrobes and all other available space that I decided I needed to let a few things go. As a result I joined the fabulous team at Flock at 46 Sydney Street, a collective of makers and curators dedicated to sustainable fashion. I also started an Instagram account under the name of Patchy and Phinch to chart my vintage and sartorial journey (as well as a few photos of my dog, Mabel)."
Mable is such a cute dog! Why is it important for fashion to become more sustainable?
"There has been a lot of publicity recently about the impact of fast fashion on our environment as well as on communities and people's lives. Makers who are committed to sustainable fashion have a strong ethical compass that guides their business decisions, whether that be paying a living wage, having clothes manufactured locally, using dead-stock material, selling pre-loved clothing or re-purposing made items. By taking a more sustainable approach to fashion you will be supporting small businesses, reducing the carbon footprint, reducing landfill and raising awareness to the challenges that we all face."
Sustainable fashion can sometimes be expensive, what advice do you have for students who want to be more sustainable but not break the bank? (p.s. does your company offer a Student Discount at all?)
"Flock is offering 10% discount for all students with and NUS card, so that's a great start! Sustainable fashion doesn't have to be expensive - buying in charity shops or in local shops that specialise in pre-loved clothes or at the fabulous pop-up at Studio50 Hove, this weekend! When sustainable fashion is more expensive it is often because the clothes are made locally with the makers being paid a living wage; but these clothes are usually better made and will stand the test of time."
What can we expect from your stall at the pop-up event this weekend?
"Lots of lovely, carefully curated, pre-loved clothes at affordable prices."
Now that you have heard from the curator of the event, and from one of the very passionate sellers, I am sure you are very keen to attend the event and get some deals!
Register by clicking here for your free tickets!
The event is open Friday 11th 6pm-9pm, Sat 12th 10am-7pm, Sun 13th 11am-5pm and can be found at:
50 Brunswick Street West, Hove, BN3 1EL.
Article Written By: Evelyn Richards