Limkokwing University London hosted a fashion forum on the 8th May at the University campus located in one of London's principal shopping streets, Piccadilly. The forum, which was held for the third time since its conception early last year, was themed 'The Emerging Importance of Ethics in Fashion', and focused on conscience form of production and presentation in the fashion industry.
The forum consisted of a series of talks and workshops that discussed ethical practices in fashion design, highlighting key ethical players in fashion design and retail to serve as a guide for emerging fashion designers.
Guest speaker Kate Richards, owner of a leading ethics conscious fashion online store The Keep Boutique took the stage to talk about the buyers’ perspective on ethical fashion. She said the consumer market of today called for ethical production by industries, and the fashion industry was no exception. She went on to say customers were aware of the carbon print left by production processes, and the devastating effect it left on the environment, hence a company’s production process could affect the end product’s performance in the market. She urged students to adopt a habit of environmentally sensitive production even in their school assignment, as not only could this be the deciding factor in their future success, but they also had a responsibility towards the environment.
Dr. Mahboubeh Sadeghinia, owner of a start-up called Mahjaab also emphasised the importance of ethical production processes. She talked in length about fabric sourcing, and the importance of knowing and understanding the wholesalers from which one buys from, as the wholesalers’ ethical practices might affect the designer’s products in the market. In response to audience enquiry on fashion design for different islamic cultures, an example being the Islamic fashion line, Sadeghinia advised students to always understand their clientele and create designs that cater specifically to their needs. Sadeghinia’s company Mahjaab presented a lively mini fashion show that showcased the company’s creative designs and exuberant colours.
The forum was followed by a screen-printing workshop led by Francesca Baur of Fable and Base, a textile company that focuses on producing hand printed textiles on sustainable fabrics using low toxic dyes. Baur advised the audience on how to source for environmentally friendly fabrics and dyes, taking them on a step-by-step process of creating their own screen prints.
The forum was closed by Limkokwing University Vice President, Dato’ Tiffanee Marie Lim, who talked about Limkokwing Fashion Club’s recent UK retailing debut and fashion party at Portobello Market. Dato’ Tiffanee also outlined the journey of the brand from a concept, to the manufacturing of the first collection, opening of its first store and first media coverage, including front cover on Remaja (Teen) Magazine in Malaysia, and future plans for the brand.
Students then got a chance to mingle and network with the industry leaders, getting tips and ideas for creating winning designs, especially in preparation for the upcoming London Graduate week and Autumn/Winter collections.