Students’ Designs Turn Waste into Fashion

Two students from East Riding College have taken part in a competition to turn discarded clothing into high fashion.

Zoe Oakes and Faye Theabould, who are both first year students on the  National Certificate in Fashion and Clothing at the College’s Bridlington campus, designed and created dresses using pre-worn and charity shop garments as part of the contest organised by East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

The competition aimed to highlight the 2,000 tonnes of clothes thrown away each year by East Riding residents alone. This is equivalent to four million pairs of jeans or 10,000 suitcases full of clothes.

Zoe was chosen as a runner up and was presented with her prize of £50 in vouchers by Councillor Stephen Parnaby, the leader of the council.

Zoe, 18, from Bridlington, said: “Taking part in this competition was an experience I’ve never had before.

“I never expected to get into the final six so I feel proud of myself for coming runner up. I spent the vouchers I won on ethical clothing.
“This was the first garment I had bought from an ethical superstore. From taking part in this competition I feel that more people should recycle clothes.”

Faye, 16, from Bridlington, said: “I enjoyed taking part in this competition as I have never made a garment before and I also recycled clothes I would have never worn before.
“I feel proud to have been chosen to be part of the final six and found it a good experience, and it has given me drive to complete my course and hopefully enter other competitions in the future. “

Tutors Joy Verda and Lorna King supported the students in designing their dresses and preparing them for the competition. Lorna said: “This was an excellent opportunity for Zoe and Faye to add work for their portfolios and CVs.

“They both felt that they had learnt a lot about recycling, reusing garments and designing using photography and drawing.
“Neither of them had ever made a garment before this competition and we are very proud of them.”

The entries were judged by designer Brenna Yore, Dr Pauline Deutz, programme director of the MSc environmental technology at the University of Hull, and international costumier Wayne Martin.

The garments are currently on display in the corridor between the Beverley Treasure House and library in Beverley.

For more information on fashion and clothing and other courses visit the East Riding College web site, where it is possible to download or request a prospectus, or call 0845 120 0037.