Fashion students from De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) have partnered with Age UK to promote sustainable fashion practices. The ‘Refound’ project challenged students from DMU’s BA in Fashion Communication and Styling to reimagine and create new futures for pre-loved items sourced from the charity’s shop.
Eleven students participated, transforming objects they found at the Age UK shop on Hotel Street into unique works of art and fashion. Their creations were then showcased in the shop windows, drawing attention to the potential of sustainable fashion and encouraging a younger generation to embrace charity shopping.
Gemma Vincent, Senior Lecturer on the Fashion Communication and Styling course, spearheaded the project. She explained that Age UK approached DMU with the aim of engaging Gen Z in charity shopping and sustainable fashion. The students were tasked with finding objects that resonated with them and using these as a starting point for their creative endeavors.
The project highlighted the importance of sustainability in fashion, culminating in a live styling event at the Age UK shop. Here, the students demonstrated how to create stylish, on-trend outfits using pre-loved items available in the store.
Tony Donovan, Executive Director of Age UK Leicester and Rutland, expressed his hope that the collaboration would support sustainable fashion and showcase the appeal of pre-loved items found in their charity shops. The project successfully combined creativity, sustainability, and community engagement, offering a fresh perspective on fashion consumption.