Change Your Clothes, Change the Climate

The Czech Climate Advocates wanted to help people realise that clothing is a sector where large volumes of CO2 emissions are produced and to introduce the idea of eco-fashion.

The ‘fast fashion’ trend is growing in the Czech Republic. It is characterized by a stimulation of more frequent consumption and implies significant changes in the clothing supply chains. Following detailed research on the impact of the whole life cycle of clothes and textiles on the environment, human health and overall sustainability in the country, the Climate Advocates decided to stage an eco-fashion show connected with a ‘café scientifique’ event where the principles of eco-fashion could be introduced to the general public and the media. The Climate Advocates cooperated with Liběna Rochová, one of the leading Czech fashion designers, and her students at the Academy of Arts, Design and Architecture in Prague. The team provided simple guidelines about eco-clothes and the students agreed to produce a collection inspired by these guidelines. The dream came true in March 2009 in the elegant Café Louvre in Prague. It started with an informal discussion with Cecilia Malvido de Rodríguez, a Research Associate with Cambridge University’s Sustainable Manufacturing Group, followed by Kate Fletcher, a British Sustainable Fashion designer. The catwalk belonged to a dozen models who presented clothes made of low carbon materials. Designers breathed new life into old jeans, shirts, old lace and embroidered cloth. For some of the most spectacular moments of the fashion show and basic information about eco-fashion go to www.ekosaty.cz.