Chesham4Fairtrade is challenging the people of Chesham to create their own fashion with a conscience. Students at Chesham Park Community College and local Guides, among others, are taking up the challenge, but designs are welcome from all ages. The idea is simple: to design and make an outfit either from fairly traded material, or out of unsaleable garments from Oxfam.*

Organiser of the Challenge and joint manager of Chesham's Oxfam shop, Gill Walker, said, "Although there are a few companies specialising in using Fairtrade fabrics and now some high street chains are using Fairtrade cotton and other fabrics for selected garments, many people still have the idea that ethical fashion is just for tree-hugging hippies!".

Those not wanting to make clothes could instead turn broken or discarded items into some stunning jewellery or eyecatching accessories: old leather or denim jackets into bohochic bags; beads and buttons into brooches, necklaces and hair decorations. Oxfam will have a supply of unsaleable items which can be plundered for basic materials.

The Fairtrade Fashion Challenge is part of the preparations for next year's Fairtrade Fashion Show and Poetry Awards Evening at the Elgiva during Fairtrade Fortnight next March. It will include readings of the winning poems in the Fairtrade Poetry Competition along with performances by Shed@thePark Theatre Company and local dancers, celebrating the wealth of talent in Chesham.  There will also be stalls offering a range of Fair Trade products for sale.

Clem Short is helping to organise the Fashion Show with Gill Walker.  Clem said, "The Fashion Show will include clothing for men and women of all ages, all sourced from companies that ensure good working practices for their employees: fair wages, healthy workshops, education opportunities and worker's rights."

The closing date for entries is 29th January 2010 and the best entries will be modelled at the Fairtrade Fashion Show on March 4th 2010 at the Elgiva.  For further details and to download an entry form, visit our Fairtrade Fashion Challenge page, or contact Gill Walker, Oxfam Chesham Manager 01494 775248, email gillwalker20@hotmail.com, or Clem Short of Clem Short Couture 01494 774719, email clem_s@tiscali.co.uk.

Published: 7 December 2009 

*N.B. Recycling and re-using materials donated to Oxfam.   Some donated items cannot be sold for various reasons, and are sent to the Wastesaver plant. By selecting stuff from our local Oxfam shop to use in Chesham's Fashion Challenge, people will not only set tomorrow's trends from today's fashion rejects, but will also be saving space in landfill sites).