How many of your clothes are ethically made using sustainable materials? We may know where we bought each item in our wardrobe, but do we really know the journey it has taken to get to the high street shop? This year’s Brighton Fashion Week, which launches on Wednesday, will propel the principles of the industry into the spotlight. FLORA THOMPSON reports.

HEAVYWEIGHTS of the fashion world have long been lobbied to ensure their work in the industry is ethical and sustainable.

And now Brighton Fashion Week, which returns to the city on Wednesday, aims to bring this campaign to the forefront of the debate with a day dedicated to clothing which loves the planet.

Organisers have said they wanted to build on the success of a catwalk featuring sustainable clothing by tying this year’s clothes rack full of collections with a discussion to highlight the theme.

They felt the city’s strong ethical values made it the perfect location to raise awareness of sustainable fashion.

And an exclusive collection of recycled dresses created by Kelly Booth at Veolia will be unveiled.

Entitled Drop Dead Gorgeous, the debate was thought up in the wake of the collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh last year and in support of the Fashion Revolution campaign launched by Carry Somers and Orsola de Castro.

The project wanted to highlight to consumers the journey garments take to reach the shelves.

Event director Liz Bishop was approached by the Brighton and Hove Fair Trade Steering Group to consider the show.

She said: “We can all do our part in sharing existing resources and limiting new purchases, but the reality is that we are all still consumers. We want to have an open discussion to educate ourselves about the hidden costs behind the things we buy.

“We want to gain a greater understanding of how our purchases can help us shape more sustainable business practices and a more responsible economy as a whole.”

The panel includes: Caroline Lucas (pictured left), Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, a supporter of the War on Want’s Fashion Victims campaign, and a member of the parliamentary committee for ethics and sustainability in fashion.

Purna Sen, an ex-director of human rights at the Commonwealth Secretariat and Labour parliamentary candidate for Brighton Pavilion.

Carry Somers, founder of Fashion Revolution and Pachacuti.

Ben Ramsden, founder of Pants to Poverty and Creator of 3D P&L.

Tamsin Lejeune, chief executive of the Ethical Fashion Forum.

Around 200 guests will join them on Friday from 3.30pm to 4.30pm a the Sally Benny Theatre, Grand Parade, to discuss the ethics and sustainability of the fashion industry.

While the catwalk, at 6.30pm at The Paganini Ballroom and Regency Room, The Old Ship Hotel, Kings Road, intends to force people the change the way they think about fashion by pushing the boundaries with sustainable designs as far as possible.

Ms Lucas said: “I’m really proud the city is packed with creative, innovative retailers and producers leading the way in ethical and sustainable procurement and products. They show ethical trading is good for business – as well as being good for the environment and human rights.

“When I worked for Oxfam Trading, I visited Bangladesh garment factories on several occasions and saw for myself the terrible conditions of workers. I’ll continue to campaign for fair conditions both in the UK and around the world. What we wear shouldn’t infringe on the rights of others, or damage our environment.”

Meanwhile another eight events will take place throughout the week, including a series of other catwalk shows.

Designer Martin Across, is showing a collection at the event for the first time in the Showreel catwalk on Sunday, October 12 at 6.30pm and 8pm in Queen’s Road.

He said: “Brighton has a reputation of being a free and creative city and this is reiterated in its fashion scene. Brighton Fashion Week seems fresh, free and definitely a way of showing who I am in a peculiar approach.

“I’m excited to see the Zeitgeist show. It looks very promising with a lot of talented young designers getting the chance to show that night. I particularly want to see Georgia Dorey and Natalia Rivera. And I can’t wait to see Vingi Wong.

“Her work is strong and inspiring.

“I think Brighton is the perfect place to step away from all the stern standards created by society. It is important for Brighton to carry on with events like BFW because it keeps the city’s creative energy awake.”

Mr Across promises the catwalk audience a return to their childhood.

He said: “It will be a journey through elements of childhood and innocence. The designs are influenced by old artifacts and toys, maps and a feeling of softness.”

He has told visitors to expect exaggerated structures, objects fused onto classic bomber jackets among other designs.

Brighton-based designer Louise O’Mahony is returning to the event after success last year. Her collection in on show at the Zeitgeist catwalk on Friday at The Paganini Ballroom and Regency Room, The Old Ship Hotel, from 9pm.

She said: “The event gave me an opportunity to launch a collection on a platform that showcased my work on a professional catwalk, but also catered to the needs of designers who wanted to show something different.

“I’m returning because it’s a great way to get your work seen by industry professionals and fashion lovers.”

Miss O’Mahony is also a fan of Vingi Wong, who she praises for her use of unusual shapes and techniques, and is also keen to see Natalia Rivera’s collection.

She said: “My inspiration for this year’s collection is taken from European, Mexican and Asian folklore. I have been influenced by traditional costumes and have captured the essence of all three as well as references to colours for autumn and winter 2015 and 2016.”

Miss O’Mahony has designed her own print which will be used in Lycra to form fitting shapes, mixed with full skirts, and lots of clashing prints and bold colours.

She added: “My previous collections have been very avant garde and aimed more at performers, this year I have created a more accessible collection which still stands out from the norm.”

Visit brightonfashionweek.com.