The Pfadfinder Monday scouts are busy preparing for “Pfadfinder Pfashion Pfest” where our star models and designers will debut a number of fashion pieces each, upcycled from everyday materials. Here’s how that came about.
Our 11-14 year old scouts were fascinated and horrified when we had a presentation a few weeks ago by local German designer, Hanna of Hoonz Clothing, about the history and environmental impact of the fashion industry.
We learned that the fashion industry is one of the worst offenders when it comes to landfill; nylon and polyester clothes do not bio-degrade; cotton plants have typically taken 7 truck journeys before they are even to the stage of being cut out for clothing; fabric dyes are poisoning rivers; clothes can’t be made by machines – they must be sewn by hand, and those hands are often those of child slaves the same age as scouts, trapped in poverty. We decided we must respect and make more use out of the clothes that already exist in the world.
The scouts have since been busy creating their own fashion items out of recycled garments and accessories donated and collected from the community. Drawing, designing, cutting, sewing, styling, fitting and sharing a laugh have all been part of the hive of activity at the scout hall.
Even Truffle the visiting Schnauzer helped try on accessories and evening wear.
We plan to showcase our creations in a fashion show. So this week, we visited a local fashion studio, co-owned by the Swiss German manager of Haus Models, Andrea, and FashFest CEO, Clint, where our scouts learned about putting on a fashion show.
Fashion, we learned, is less about brand names and more about the clothes you love, and choosing a look that says something about you.
We also learned that a fashion show is about much more than the garments… it’s a party! Our show will be a party with an environmental message.
Pfadfinder Pfashion Pfest will be held Tuesday 25 September 2018. Come along and enjoy a fun night at our scouts’ fashion show!