UEL students engage in fashion revolution

Published

08 March 2024

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The University of East London (UEL) is delighted to announce a dynamic collaboration with Fashion Revolution, the global force advocating for a sustainable and transparent fashion industry. In a groundbreaking partnership, UEL's MBA Fashion Entrepreneurship students are set to immerse themselves in this year's Fashion Revolution campaign, gaining invaluable real-world experience with one of the industry's leading non-profit organisations.

Founded in 2014 by Carry Somers and Orsola de Castro, Fashion Revolution is dedicated to transforming the fashion industry by championing transparency and prioritising environmental conservation and fair labour practices. With a presence in more than 75 countries and counting, the organisation mobilises individuals, brands, and policymakers toward positive change.

UEL's MBA Fashion Entrepreneurship students are poised to play a pivotal role in the organisation's global Fashion Revolution Week, which spans 10 days from April 15 to 24. This annual campaign is the world's largest fashion activism event, and this year's edition holds particular significance as it commemorates the organisation's 10th anniversary as a global, people-powered movement.

As part of this collaborative effort, UEL students will work with Fashion Revolution's global planning team on a highly anticipated London event, Mend in Public Day, taking place on April 20. Their responsibilities include location coordination and collaboration with partners like Love Not Landfill and Street Stitching. The students will also be involved in finding sponsorship partners, and will actively participate in the day's events, which are aimed at encouraging the public to stop buying disposable fashion.

Fashion Revolution will also host an in-person event at UEL's Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability (RDCS), entitled How to Be a Storyteller, as an integral part of UEL's nine-day Sustainable Cities festival which runs from April 15 to 24. Led by Fashion Revolution's Digital Communications Manager, Mel Watt, the workshop on April 17 will share the ingredients behind every good story and explore the ways they can lead people to take action. UEL's MBA Fashion Entrepreneurship students will play a key role in organising this event, giving them a unique opportunity to apply their skills in a genuine, real-world setting.

Expressing her excitement about the partnership with Fashion Revolution, Alison Lowe MBE, UEL's Director of Careers and Enterprise for the School of Arts and Creative Industries, said,

This collaboration with Fashion Revolution aligns perfectly with our commitment to fostering sustainability and providing our students with hands-on experience in the fashion industry. We're excited about the impact our MBA Fashion Entrepreneurship students can make as they actively contribute to the Fashion Revolution movement."

Mel Watt, Digital Communications Manager of Fashion Revolution said "We are thrilled and grateful to be working with UEL students on our London Mend in Public Day event. This is an exciting opportunity to promote the benefits of making Loved Clothes Last to Angel Central's shoppers, and celebrate the power and impact of craftivism".

The Sustainable Cities festival forms part of UEL's Year of Science. The year-long celebration, which culminates in the staging of the British Science Festival at the University's Docklands Campus in September, will see a series of exciting events showcasing UEL's ground-breaking research and activity in areas such as sustainability, health and early years. The Year of Science will explore how technology and AI are impacting lives, careers and communities in a variety of ways, and how we can use science to create a greener, fairer and healthier world.

The partnership with Fashion Revolution aligns with UEL's Careers-First strategy to equip students for future job opportunities. In support of the University's 10-year strategic plan, Vision 2028, UEL collaborates with industry partners to integrate real-world experience into students' studies, giving them a competitive advantage in the job market.

Working with Fashion Revolution is just one example of how UEL is bringing this vision to life, by giving students the skills and opportunities to thrive in a changing world. Through initiatives like this, UEL is helping students to build their knowledge, skills and confidence, while also fostering a deeper understanding of the industries and communities they'll be working in. By prioritising career-readiness and social impact, UEL is paving the way for a more inclusive and prosperous future for all.