Friday, September 24th 2.30pm – 3.30pm
British Council, 1 Redman Place, Stratford, London, E20 1JQ
Globally we produce 13 million tonnes of textile waste each year, 95% of which could be reused or recycled but instead remains unused in warehouses, is incinerated, or is sent to landfills.
Determined to reset the environmental footprint of the fashion industry by giving new life to surplus textiles, the materialist is brought together an exceptional panel of circularity activists at the Fashion District Festival. The panel explored new trends in responsible design, new approaches to sourcing and manufacturing locally, and how to scale productions using second life fabrics.
Hosted by: Deborah Lyons and Piarve Wetshi, the materialist
Speakers included:
Diana Kakkar, Founder of MAES London
Henry Hales, Founder of Sir Plus and Tu Pack
Kate Hills, Founder of Make It British
Lupe Castro, Founder of Fashion Space World
Ngoni Chikwenengere, Founder of We Are KIN
About Our Speakers
Materialist is the marketplace for surplus fabric, connecting fashion brands, designers and enthusiasts to high-end suppliers with excess textile inventories. We rescue fabric from ending up in landfill, with a vision to reduce and repurpose textiles overproduction, turning waste into opportunity.
Diana Kakkar, Founder of MAES London
Diana Kakkar is the founder of MAES London, a luxury garment manufacturing studio specialising in designer womenswear. With over a decade’s industry experience, she launched MAES London to help fashion designers make beautiful garments exactly to spec and in the most cost-effective way. MAES stands for “SEAM” spelled backwards. Previously she had run the atelier for a luxury LFW designer which caters to members of the Royal family and A-list celebrities.
Henry Hales, Founder of Sir Plus and Tu Pack
Henry founded the label Sir Plus in 2010, focusing on British craftsmanship and championing sustainability. The brand produces menswear garments with high-quality fabrics, surplus fabrics and upcycled offcuts, reimagining classic outfits in a contemporary and luxury guise. Henry is also the founder of the sustainable e-commerce fulfilment company Tu Pack.
Kate Hills, Founder of Make It British
With 20 years experience as both a designer and buyer for major brands and retailers, Kate founded Make it British in 2011. The platform facilitates connections between local designers and manufacturers to promote and support British-made brands. Kate regularly advises businesses of all sizes, espousing a firm belief that manufacturing in the UK is thriving, cost effective, and sustainable.
Lupe Castro, Founder of Fashion Space World
Entrepreneur and fashion industry insider Lupe established her reputation in the fashion industry as one of the first digital creators as well as a renowned creative director, stylist, and journalist. Lupe has worked closely with major retailers such as Selfridges and has nurtured many emerging designers.
Ngoni Chikwenengere, Founder of We Are KIN
Ngoni founded We Are KIN in 2016, a timeless and slow womenswear fashion label produced in East London promoting responsible practices and sizing inclusivity. The brand delivers statement pieces made with end-of-life and sustainable fabrics.
