Bespoke collar workshop

If you’re interested in customising and making your own clothes, Zolibeau, a local sustainable fashion brand, are holding a collar making session in their studio at the Women’s Workshop, Cardiff Bay.

The workshop, which will be held over two sessions on Thursday 17th and Thursday 31st May from 5.30-7.30pm, will give participants the chance to create a unique collar by layering together Swiss vintage lace and fabric off cuts from their latest collection ‘Full of lovely treasure’.

An example of a collar you could make. Image:Zolibeau

The sessions cost £35 (the collar would normally cost £45). If you’re interested you can book here.

Full of lovely Treasure – Exhibition

From Zolibeau

From 3rd April, Waterloo Gardens Teahouse in Roath is set to debut the latest collection by sustainable fashion brand Zolibeau. The exhibition, named ‘Full of lovely Treasure’, will feature vintage lace and Japanese kimono silk and aims to demonstrate how materials can be up-cycled to create beautiful new items.

The collection will showcase unique sustainable pieces and the stories behind the materials used which were originally destined for landfill. Zolibeau sisters, Julia Harris and Sarah Valentin, have enlisted ethical street wear design collective r.a.j.e to exhibit with them at the Teahouse.

Both Zolibaeu and r.a.j.e believe clothes should be treasured and cared for rather than quickly discarded as is often the case with our throw away consumer culture.

Zolibeau also run Re:fash workshops teaching attendees how to update and customise their wardrobes in an eco friendly manner.

I asked  Sarah Valentin what Zolibeau do – click play to hear what she said:

Recycled clothes: are new clothes becoming old hat?

Customised clothes and accessories in the recession
On a crisp autumn night at Northcote Lane vintage market in Milgi’s restaurant in Cardiff, Beck Holland, the creative force behind Becorations, bespoke decorations, sells her handmade accessories made from an array of recycled materials.

Beck Holland with some of her handmade decorations

In previous generations, the repair of clothes was a necessity and, necessity being the mother of invention, people also customised their clothes to update them. Nowadays, however, we live in a throw-away culture but, could the current economic climate and an increasing awareness of environmental issues, be changing this? Beck, who uses everyday items, including old guitar strings, buckles, buttons, shells and curtain hooks to create her accessories believes so.

 

Necklaces made out of old buttons

She claims, “As an educated society we have a responsibility to the environment and those around us. Everything I make is locally sourced and made from things that have been thrown away and are not needed anymore.”

In this video by Beck she shows how she makes a decorative heart out of bass strings:

Video credit: Becorations

Beck sells her goods at vintage and craft fairs as well as on her website and believes her main inspiration for setting up Becorations was the Cardiff based sustainable label, Zolibeau, which has been running for just under three years and was set up by two sisters, Sarah Valentin and Julia Harris.

Sarah believes the brand is about taking something that has been discarded and transforming it into something beautiful. As well as making and customising clothes using old fabrics, the sisters run weekly ‘Re:Fash’ classes teaching basic sewing techniques and offering people an eco friendly way to makeover their wardrobes .

A selection of dresses customised by Zolibeau

Their base in the Women’s Workshop enables the sisters to integrate in the local community and they have also run summer sessions for younger people giving them an opportunity to update their clothes and host a fashion show.

Sarah, who has a HND in fashion, claims one of the reasons behind the creation of Zolibeau was the recession. She claims, ‘Our inspiration behind Zolibeau was partly because we didn’t have much money at the time. We’ve always been into charity shops because we get quite bored with the high street as we don’t like what it stands for. It’s very materialistic, there’s no depth to it and I like the thought of something having a story behind it.”

 

A tank top customised with an old tie

Sarah also believes the recession is, at least partially, behind the popularity of Zolibeau’s ‘Re:Fash’ course and claims several people on the course started coming because they were struggling financially. As part of the course, the sisters supply the necessary materials and encourage people to look at their own wardrobes with a creative eye before splashing out on high street goods.

Sarah expands on what Zolibeau do and how they got started:

Another initiative in Cardiff committed to the re-use and customisation of old clothes is PreFab. The YMCA project consists of a charity shop in Albany Road and a warehouse in Splott, where old clothes are donated and sorted before being sent to the shop for sale or used to make accessories such as bags and Christmas decorations.

The work station where PreFab update and customise old clothes for sale in their charity shop

PreFab are also hoping to collaborate with Cardiff Metropolitan University (formerly UWIC) design students to up-cycle old pairs of jeans and believe it is important to try and educate people as young as possible on the environmental effects of wasted fabrics and how they can counteract this.

YMCA clothing banks are dispersed throughout Cardiff

Vicky Rutter who works as a recycling operative for PreFab, claims that used textiles make up a huge proportion of the waste going to landfill so it’s important to try and reduce this as much as possible.

Vicky also believes the repairing of clothes is an important life skill which, in the current economic climate, is more important than ever. She claims, “There is such a throw-away culture now. With Primark you can just go and buy clothes for £3 and not wear them again and it’s really dangerous and damaging to the environment and to us as we don’t really value what we are wearing.”

However, she concedes, despite the financial times and an increasing awareness of environmental issues, there is still a stigma attached to wearing second-hand clothes and claims, “I think there are still sections of society who wouldn’t shop in a charity shop.”

Vicky explains why it is important to recycle and recondition clothes:

It appears the recession and an increasing environmental awareness are definitely starting to impact on people’s spending and recycling habits but Beck, Sarah and Vicky all believe there is still a long way to go to combat the stigma surrounding second-hand and customised clothes. So, next time you buy that new top, maybe just stop and think where it comes from and where it will end up.

Big feature preview: recycled clothing

The recycled clothes scene in Cardiff and why it is important

Last Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg showed his support for the recycling and re-using of textiles in Cardiff by visiting PreFab Clothing. Several businesses in Cardiff are encouraging people to recycle and customise their clothes to help prevent the wasteful culture that comes with high street fashion and the PreFab clothing store on Albany Road is a prime example of one such establishment.

All the proceeds from this trendy charity shop go to the YMCA and the company also have a strong environmental focus, recognising that textiles and clothing represent a large proportion of the waste sent to landfill. They believe the environment can be protected through the reconditioning of textiles, thus reducing the amount of wasted clothes.

In previous generations people were encouraged to customise and up-style old clothes

Several other companies in Cardiff are committed to the recycling and customisation of textiles. Zolibeau is another great example; this company offer lessons on how to customise and revamp your clothes so you can wear them time and time again instead of throwing them away when they are out of season.

Zolibeau have recently started a seven week ‘Re:Fash’, course teaching basic sewing techniques and suggesting inventive ways to modify and adapt old clothing. This course was fully booked very quickly but some more will be starting in the new year.

PreFab and Zolibeau are just two examples of the many businesses in Cardiff committed to sustainable fashion and they have both been a great success. It appears people are becoming increasingly aware of the transient nature of fashion and the possible damaging effects textile waste has on the environment.

Economic factors also appear to be playing a large role in why people are progressively turning to the customisation of clothing as in this current economic climate, people can no longer afford to buy new outfits regularly from the high street.

So, by supporting recycled and re-used clothes you will be saving both the environment and the money in your purse.

I did a quick vox pop asking people’s opinions on clothes made from recycled materials. I asked, “There are now numerous businesses in Cardiff focused on making clothes and jewellery from recycled materials, do you think this is good idea and why?” Here are some of the responses:

Sustainable Fashion Cardiff Favourites

Hello and welcome to my blog! Your one stop shop for sustainable fashion in Cardiff.

For my first post, I thought I would give an overview of my favourite places and events in Cardiff for sustainable and vintage fashion.

Northcote Lane Market, Milgi, City Road

On the first Sunday of the month, Milgi hosts a vintage fair in the space above their quirky vegetarian eatery and bar.  It’s a great opportunity to hunt for second hand clothes and jewellery, as well as arts and crafts made from recycled materials.   Milgi also do a great Sunday nut roast from midday until 6pm so you can boost your energy before bargain hunting.  The next market will be on 6 November from 6pm.

Milgi also have a fab art club on the second Monday of the month where participants have the opportunity to make art from recycled materials.  The next art club is on 14 November.  It costs £5 which includes all materials and a yummy curry!

Find out more at: http://www.milgilounge.com/

Fairday and Movienight, 10 Feet Tall, Church Street

On the first Saturday of the month, this trendy bar holds a vintage fair during the day and shows a film in the evening.  Past classics include The King and I and Breakfast at Tiffany’s.  The next event is on 3 December.

Find out more by visitng FairDay and MovieNight on Facebook

Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fair

This big vintage fair, selling a huge array of vintage clothes and jewellery, also serves up tasty tea and cake, and comes to Cardiff every couple of months.  The next fair is tbc.

Find out more at: http://www.vintagefair.co.uk/

Oxfam Boutique, St Mary’s Street

This is one of only a handful in the country and offers a great range of unique, sustainable pieces including Fairtrade jewellery and accessories.

Hobo’s Vintage Clothing, High Street Arcade

Hobo’s is a quirky little shop nestled in High street Arcade specialising in 1960s and 70s clothing .  Although it is small it is packed-out with stylish clothes and accessories.  Particularly good for summer dresses and winter jumpers.

To find out more visit Hobo’s Cardiff on Facebook

Prefab, Albany Road

This charity shop with a difference offers a good selection of 1950s garments.  You can shop here with a clear conscience as all the proceeds go to the Cardiff YMCA Housing Association.

Zolibeau

This is a great ethical company offering local workshops teaching people how to make clothes from recycled materials.  Lessons can be tailored to your individual needs and abilities, whether you just fancy a one hour session or a weekly course.  They also offer their services for special occassions such as birthday parties.

To find out more visit: http://www.zolibeau.com/

Or type in Zolibeau to Facebook