Dolly Jones

Amelia’s Magazine | Get volunteering with Fashion Awareness Direct

by

2009 Fashion Futures 1 - Project with teenagers in Newham_012009 Fashion Futures 1 – Project with teenagers in Newham

“FAD” is shorthand for ‘Fashion Awareness Direct,’ a registered charity since 2005; although it was successfully managed as a company from 1997. Its ethos focuses on making ‘the person central to design, promoting respect to the wearer and integrating art and culture into fashion’. I think this is a fabulous way of amalgamating fashion and oneself – allowing inner confidence as you wear the outfit, with the pieces representing you as an individual. To produce these designs FAD run a variety of professional fashion workshops, for ages 13 – 25, as well as inspirational industry days and even high profile catwalk events.  These are split into five main schemes: the Fairtrade Fashion Club, Fashion Futures 1, Fashion Futures 2, FAD Competition and FAD volunteering.

2009 FAD Competition - Winner Ana Belen Merono, Nottingham Trent2009 FAD Competition – Winner Ana Belen Merono of Nottingham Trent University

2009 FAD Competition - Winning outfit2009 FAD Competition – Winning outfit

 Every year FAD put on a competition, with the winner getting to show at Vauxhall Fashion Scout as part of London Fashion Week – an amazing achievement! 2009’s winner was Ana Belen Merono, a fashion student from Nottingham Trent University. The brief for the year was ‘Urban Holographic,’ with a suggestion of working on ideas around ‘Retrofuturism’ and ‘space tourism’. Candidates were invited to create ‘fashionable uniforms for galactic hosts/hostesses,’ a very original project I think. Ana’s designs were two outfits, as with all the finalists. One of which featured a structured jacket incorporating an ‘Op-Art’ design, and the other combining a ‘cosmic cloud’ dress with ‘armour’ style layers. Her creations earned her a unanimous vote, with the prize including £2,000 and a work placement with well-respected designer Paul Costelloe – who was also a judge on the panel. 

Fashion Futures 2_2009 FAD Junior Award Winner - Katerina Drury, 18, from New CrossFashion Futures 2_2009 FAD Junior Award Winner – Katerina Drury, 18, from New Cross

Runners up focused on shapes and patterns based on the solar system, as well as ‘space suit’ ideas. The FAD Frontline is the panel of judges that votes on the designs, and it always consists of leading industry personalities – last year it included the editor of Vogue.com, the Director of Vauxhall Fashion Scout, and designer William Tempest.  Throughout FAD students have gained experience in the industry, and have also had their work displayed in exhibitions and even on live catwalks – invaluable experience for those looking for a future in fashion!  Look out for the catwalk final of the 2010 competition on Monday 22nd February at Vauxhall Fashion Scout.

Fashion Futures 2 2009 - Finalist Joel Boyd, 18 from CatfordFashion Futures 2 2009 – Finalist Joel Boyd, 18 from Catford

FAD has its own volunteering scheme – whether you’re a business or individual, you can help out! If you’re an ‘industry volunteer’ perhaps you could donate some materials, or run a workshop. As a ‘young volunteer’ you can learn more about the fashion world whilst mentoring other FAD students in skills you’re well practiced in.  FAD’s records demonstrate that they have worked with as many as 4,000 young people from secondary schools through to university students. These projects are considered a strong link into the industry, even gaining the Chairman’s Award at the London Educational Partnership Awards, so it’s a great chance to get involved with something worthwhile. FAD looks for volunteers in all areas, such as Industry Experiences, Placements, Teaching, Sponsorship and the Media.

Fashion Futures 2 2009 - Finalist Kesoon Chance, 17, from HackneyFashion Futures 2 2009 – Finalist Kesoon Chance, 17, from Hackney

Finally a quote from Dolly Jones, editor of Vogue.com, on the benefits of working with FAD:
“I think in these awful times of economic drama, there’s a tendency to think there’s no room for new talent.” She hopes that projects like these will help “weed out the mediocre” and find those “truly talented newcomers”. You can volunteer and sign up to FAD through their website: www.fad.org.uk.

Written by Camilla Sampson on Friday January 29th, 2010 11:22 am

Categories ,Ana Belen Merono, ,Camilla Sampson, ,Dolly Jones, ,FAD, ,FAD Competition, ,FAD volunteering, ,Fairtrade Fashion Club, ,Fashion Awareness Direct, ,Fashion Futures 1, ,Fashion Futures 2, ,London Educational Partnership Awards, ,Nottingham Trent University, ,Paul Costelloe, ,Vauxhall Fashion Scout, ,Vogue.com, ,William Tempest

Similar Posts:






Amelia’s Magazine | Fashion Business Club: Dolly Jones Interviews Laura Bailey

by


Illustration by Katie Harnett

Held at the Swarovski Lounge, information pills just off Regent Street, and myself and Amelia enjoyed the hour long talk between Dolly and Laura. Hosted by the Fashion Business Club, drugs it was the first eco talk FBC had ever had. Beginning with some general questions from Dolly about the whys and wheres she got involved, Laura was very realistic and frank about the current situation where sustainable fashion is concerned and the direction it needs to take. She also spoke very openly about her career as a model, and juggling working full time with being a mother: ‘My system is chaos, I sometimes work all night as I don’t want to miss a football match, a ballet recital or anything’.

One of the main issues which cropped up was that ethical fashion is still struggling to find a place in the industry which placing it on an equal footing to mainstream fashion. The reality is that not enough people are supporting the use of sustainable processes and local materials and until this changes it will be difficult to make a significant impact. Another interesting point raised was that many independent fashion designers are green without necessarily labelling themselves as an ‘eco-designer’. Small scale designers tend to work using a much simpler and less costly process, for instance with local rather than international suppliers.

Laura is keen to see her work towards reaching a larger recognition for ethical fashion as ‘a journey to take rather than a message to preach’. I agree, it is so important that consumers understand the importance and take on the idea of sustainable fashion wholly rather than as a fad.


Illustration by Katie Harnett

However, the importance of a trend in the quest to become more ethical is not to be sniffed at. A sustainable Christopher Kane collection at Topshop would fly off the rails. The Vogue.com Green Style Blog is a hit. It’s about finding a way to bring together of the moment, must-buy pieces with a long-term awareness of ethical fashion that is ingrained in the industry. Obviously this is not going to happen overnight and Bailey understands this but refuses to consider herself the ‘eco-warrior’ some have labelled her as. That term is a ‘cliche’ she says, who disregards it quickly when asked by an audience member how she feels about it.

During the question and answer session, some very interesting debates emerged, concerning the real (as opposed to the oft optimistic reported) reaction to ethical clothes. Truth be told, many people will buy stylish clothes at a fair price regardless of how sustainable they are – sustainable fashion needs to be fully intergrated with mainstream fashion for it to survive in the marketplace. I left the talk feeling a mixture between optimistic and somewhat disheartened. Bailey is knowledgeable and honest about how ethical fashion and fair trade is at the moment, and unfortunately it is struggling.

Laura Bailey is an ambassador for Barnados, Oxfam and the fairtrade foundation as well as contributing to several blogs including Vogue’s Green Style and collaborating with ethical fashion label Made.

Written by Florence Massey on Wednesday October 6th, 2010 3:06 pm

Categories ,Courtney Blackman, ,Dolly Jones, ,Ethical Fashion, ,fashion, ,Fashion Business Club, ,FBC, ,Laura Bailey, ,MADE, ,Swarovski, ,Swarovski Crystallized

Similar Posts:






Amelia’s Magazine | Fashion Business Club: Dolly Jones Interviews Laura Bailey

by


Illustration by Katie Harnett

Held at the Swarovski Lounge, information pills just off Regent Street, and myself and Amelia enjoyed the hour long talk between Dolly and Laura. Hosted by the Fashion Business Club, drugs it was the first eco talk FBC had ever had. Beginning with some general questions from Dolly about the whys and wheres she got involved, Laura was very realistic and frank about the current situation where sustainable fashion is concerned and the direction it needs to take. She also spoke very openly about her career as a model, and juggling working full time with being a mother: ‘My system is chaos, I sometimes work all night as I don’t want to miss a football match, a ballet recital or anything’.

One of the main issues which cropped up was that ethical fashion is still struggling to find a place in the industry which placing it on an equal footing to mainstream fashion. The reality is that not enough people are supporting the use of sustainable processes and local materials and until this changes it will be difficult to make a significant impact. Another interesting point raised was that many independent fashion designers are green without necessarily labelling themselves as an ‘eco-designer’. Small scale designers tend to work using a much simpler and less costly process, for instance with local rather than international suppliers.

Laura is keen to see her work towards reaching a larger recognition for ethical fashion as ‘a journey to take rather than a message to preach’. I agree, it is so important that consumers understand the importance and take on the idea of sustainable fashion wholly rather than as a fad.


Illustration by Katie Harnett

However, the importance of a trend in the quest to become more ethical is not to be sniffed at. A sustainable Christopher Kane collection at Topshop would fly off the rails. The Vogue.com Green Style Blog is a hit. It’s about finding a way to bring together of the moment, must-buy pieces with a long-term awareness of ethical fashion that is ingrained in the industry. Obviously this is not going to happen overnight and Bailey understands this but refuses to consider herself the ‘eco-warrior’ some have labelled her as. That term is a ‘cliche’ she says, who disregards it quickly when asked by an audience member how she feels about it.

During the question and answer session, some very interesting debates emerged, concerning the real (as opposed to the oft optimistic reported) reaction to ethical clothes. Truth be told, many people will buy stylish clothes at a fair price regardless of how sustainable they are – sustainable fashion needs to be fully intergrated with mainstream fashion for it to survive in the marketplace. I left the talk feeling a mixture between optimistic and somewhat disheartened. Bailey is knowledgeable and honest about how ethical fashion and fair trade is at the moment, and unfortunately it is struggling.

Laura Bailey is an ambassador for Barnados, Oxfam and the fairtrade foundation as well as contributing to several blogs including Vogue’s Green Style and collaborating with ethical fashion label Made.

Written by Florence Massey on Wednesday October 6th, 2010 3:06 pm

Categories ,Courtney Blackman, ,Dolly Jones, ,Ethical Fashion, ,fashion, ,Fashion Business Club, ,FBC, ,Laura Bailey, ,MADE, ,Swarovski, ,Swarovski Crystallized

Similar Posts: