Inaugural Sustainable Fashion Event Celebrates Dorset’s Local Fibre Growers & Makers.
Defashion Dorset, a sustainable fashion event celebrating local fibre growers and makers was held at Hawkers Farm near Shaftesbury, Dorset on the weekend of 26th and 27th May. The inaugural event hosted a variety of workshops and exhibitors and welcomed visitors from near and far including Wales, Winchester and Weymouth.
Jennifer Morisetti, the creator of Defashion Dorset, commented: “The event was a huge success. It was gratifying to have so many people attend, all with a common interest in supporting local fibre growers and makers.” Jennifer added “The natural fibre movement is 15 years or so behind the local food movement, but it is certain to be ‘the next big thing’. We consider ‘food miles’ so why not ‘fashion miles’?”
Jennifer is passionate about sustainable living and bringing new life to discarded clothing by redesigning or visible mending. As a member of Fashion Act Now, a community of individuals on a mission to challenge and transform the values behind our clothing systems, Jennifer was inspired to organise an event to promote a local clothing culture. Aiming to explore and encourage regenerative practices in the community, Defashion Dorset was committed to putting the planet first and drawing attention to the local businesses and individuals who are making a difference within the fashion industry.
Workshops taught methods of enhancing, embellishing, and mending clothing including Shibori, a Japanese tie-dye technique, visible mending, and weaving patches and there was also an interesting panel discussion with Sara Arnold - Founder of Fashion Act Now, Rachel Worth - Professor of History & Dress at Arts University Bournemouth and Elizabeth Keech - Co-founder of Atonement Ltd.
Lynne Franks, best selling author and Founder of SEED commented: “So happy to visit Defashion Dorset, set in organiser Jenny Morisetti’s glorious organic farm, where numerous workshops and exhibitors showed and talked wonderful Defashion.”
Jennifer said: “We had some incredible feedback from visitors and stallholders who all wanted to know when the next event will be. A Sustainable Fashion Week event at the beginning of November is being considered and Defashion Dorset will be back in 2024, hopefully growing into an even bigger event that will help people to transition to a local clothing culture.”
Attendees enjoyed a variety of activities including workshops, demonstrations, speakers, and exhibitors. “The atmosphere in the barn was buzzing, with all the second-hand and antique clothes, the hand-spun and dyed wool, the haberdashery and sheepskin stalls” commented visitor Jo Edwards. “Whether an antique ball gown or a French peasant skirt, all the jackets, dresses, suits and skirts were ready to be re-purposed, re-formed, re-accessorised or re-decorated for a new lease of life.”
Exhibitors included Jo Nash Textiles with her hand-spun, naturally dyed woollen products, Second to None showing off a curated collection of natural fibre second-hand clothing, Honnor & Queens with its bespoke, statement, headdresses made from recycled, locally sourced materials, Snooks Farm Alpacas showcasing luxury alpaca and sheep goods including rugs, clothing, make yourself kits and much more
