The fashion industry goes ethical: An evening with pioneering eco-fashion entrepreneurs
27 August 2008
An eco-fashion show and expert advice from three leading ethical fashion entrepreneurs make Wednesday 17 September a not-to-be missed evening for anyone interested in building a business in fashion and design. 'Feelgood Fashion' at the British Library is a unique event of inspiration and essential information aimed at budding fashionistas looking to make it big in fashion whilst staying ethical.
Eco-fashion pioneers Jen Ruppert of Revamp, Ed Gillespie of Futerra and Safia Minney of People Tree get together on 17 September to show how it's possible to produce cutting-edge design with ethical credentials. Part of the London Design Festival, the event features a panel discussion, Q&A session and networking reception, followed by an ethical eco-fashion show.
The three eco-fashion pioneers:
- Jen Ruppert - With 15 years' experience in fashion, Jen is the founder of eco-fashion company Revamp, the environmentally sustainable label who recently produced a range for Cancer Research (www.revampfashion.co.uk/).
- Ed Gillespie - Ed is creative director and co-founder of Futerra, who have launched 'Swishing' - the new, super-stylish way to swap clothes (www.swishing.org). Futerra are co-creators and founding partners of this year's Re:Fashion Awards (www.refashionawards.org).
- Safia Minney - The founder and director of fair-trade fashion label People Tree sold at Topshop (www.peopletree.co.uk/). Safia was named social entrepreneur of the year in the Edge Upstart Awards. She has combined her love of fashion with her life-long passion for the environment and social justice.
Isabel Oswell, Head of Business Marketing at the British Library, says: "This is a must-attend event for all fashion and design entrepreneurs who dream of getting their collections on the market and onto the catwalks. Come and put your questions to a team of experts, meet like-minded people, watch an inspiring eco-fashion show and turn your designs into riches."
'Feelgood Fashion: A celebration of ethical entrepreneurship and cutting-edge design' is part of the Inspiring Entrepreneurs series organised by the British Library Business & IP Centre.
The event is held from 18.15 until 21.00 at the British Library Conference Centre on Wednesday 17 September. Tickets cost £10.00 (concessions £7.50). For further information please visit www.bl.uk/bipc/inspiring.html.
For press enquiries please contact Suvi Kankainen at the British Library Press Office (telephone +44 (0)20 7412 7105, email: suvi.kankainen@bl.uk) or Lawrence Christensen (telephone +44 (0)20 7412 7114, email: lawrence.christensen@bl.uk)
NOTES FOR EDITORS
- The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom. It provides world-class information services to the academic, business, research and scientific communities and offers unparalleled access to the world's largest and most comprehensive research collection. Further information is available on the Library's website at www.bl.uk, which currently receives almost 2 million 'hits' or visits per month.
The British Library Business & IP Centre is supported by the London Development Agency to provide a single access point to support entrepreneurs and SMEs in London to gain access to and exploit existing and new business and IP information, and other relevant content and data, guided by impartial Library information experts and associated partners. The Business & IP Centre has been used by over 30,000 people since it opened in March 2006. An independent survey of 230 users in 2007 showed that it helped create 47 new companies, took a further 48 to start-up and helped create 115 new jobs. Access to the Centre is free, but users need a Reader Pass; for more information visit: www.bl.uk/bipc.