Committees

MPs to measure-up the fashion industry with event at the V&A

13 November 2018

The Environmental Audit Committee is to hold an evidence hearing at the Victoria and Albert Museum where it will question a range of high-profile guest speakers on fashion and sustainability, as part of its inquiry examining the Sustainability of the Fashion Industry.

Attend the evidence hearing

The session will take place at V&A Museum, Lydia & Manfred Gorvy Lecture Theatre, 10am - 12.30pm, Tuesday 13 November.

Members of the public are invited to attend the free evidence hearing, part of UK Parliament Week 2018, on Tuesday 13 November. The cross-party MPs will question fashion designers, upcyclers and innovators about how to fix the fashion industry, cut waste and improve conditions for garment workers.

Those wishing to attend the event should book using Eventbrite as places are limited.

Admission to the evidence hearing is on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that we have issued more tickets than there are places, because not everyone who asks for tickets uses them.

We do our best to get the numbers right, but please arrive early to avoid disappointment. Doors will open at 10.00am

Witnesses

10.15am

  • Claire Bergkamp, Sustainability & Innovation Director, Stella McCartney Ltd
  • Clare Hieatt, founder of Howies and Hiut Denim
  • Graeme Raeburn, Designer
  • Phoebe English, Designer
  • Professor Dilys Williams, Director and Professor of Fashion Design for Sustainability

11.15am

  • Livia Firth, Eco-Age
  • Jane Grice, Waste Not, Want Not
  • Lucy Siegle, freelance journalist and writer
  • Jenny Holdcroft, Assistant General Secretary, IndustriALL union
  • Andrea Speranza, TRAID

Purpose of the session

The session will explore issues highlighted in the V&A's Fashioned from Nature exhibition and will help inform recommendations that the Committee will make to Government in a major report due to be published next year.

Chair's comments

Environmental Audit Committee Chair, Mary Creagh MP, said:

“The way we design, produce and discard our clothes has a huge impact on people and our planet. From sweatshop factories, to waste, pollution and climate changing emissions.

“We have teamed up with the V&A to explore some of the issues highlighted in its Fashion from Nature exhibition and examine how the fashion sector can remodel itself to be more sustainable. I would encourage anyone who has a passion for this issue or just wants to learn more to come and join us.”

Further information

Image: Victoria and Albert museum