Budding fashion designers put their skills to the test during a five-day upcycling challenge in Bermondsey.
Fashion designer and lecturer Daniel Blake launched his London Fashion Week Upcycling Challenge at the new Bermondsey Uprising community pop-up shop on Southwark Park Road last Wednesday, February 14.
Using recycled clothes donated by Mary’s Living and Giving on Bermondsey Street and scrap fabrics from Work and Play Scrapstore, Daniel challenged people of all ages to learn to make their own clothes and accessories.
He was joined by upcycling fashion designer Luciana Soul, a new indoor market trader at Bermondsey Uprising.
On Sunday, prizes were awarded to the three top entries, including nineteen-year-old Billie, whom Daniel taught to use a sewing machine on the first day of the challenge.
By the final day she had made a clutch bag from recycled fabric, and now hopes to go on to design and make her own costumes. Former fashion student Kat also created a prize-winning dress from scrap fabric, while six-year-old Robin won a prize for a dress she designed and made for her doll.
Bermondsey Uprising is run by and for the community through a partnership between charities Community Opportunity and Big Local Works, funded by United St Saviour’s Charity and supported by Southwark Council and the Blue Bermondsey Business Improvement District.