Ethical Fashion Show brings Fairtrade Fortnight to an end at Birmingham University

• Mar. 14 by Victoria Elmore (4)

Birmingham University hosted their final event of Fairtrade Fortnight last night (Friday 12^th March) as students, staff, family and friends came together to put on a sensational Ethical Fashion Show.

The Fashion Show was all in aid of raising awareness of Fairtrade clothing and promoting how it can be modern, fashionable and reasonably priced. The evening consisted of a catwalk displaying Fairtrade, organic and vintage clothing modelled by students at the University.

One of the main organisers of the event, Gemma Bending added:

‘We really hope that more people are encouraged to buy Fairtrade clothing after the ethical catwalk show this evening.

Fairtrade clothing is available in many high street shops and with young, trendy designers such as Emma Watson designing Fairtrade ranges there’s no excuse!’

The lively show went down a storm with the crowd as they cheered for the singers, dancers and models that paraded along the catwalk. Oxfam Outreach Society and People and Planet Society also helped with the organisations of the event.

Success

The event, which was held at the main University campus proved to be a huge success with over 400 people attending and raising a substantial about of money for Fairtrade.

However Jenny Vaughan (another event organiser) added:

‘Tonight’s event wasn’t all about raising money, we wanted to put on a fun and exciting show so that people become more aware of the products out there.

And the more we promote the clothing the more pressure we put on companies to stock additional Fairtrade products.’

The evening also included a range of stalls selling Fairtrade products including jewellery and clothing along with a raffle at the end of the evening where several Fairtrade products were available to win.

Gemma Bending commented:

‘I really feel the evening’s been a huge success, we were worried about filling the ‘Great Hall’ as it’s such a large venue, but it couldn’t have worked out better.’

People and Planet

People and Planet society are currently working with students at the university to encourage them to sign the ‘workers right consortium’ partition which will be a positive step in the long term effects of Fairtrade.

Clothing from the event is available from Conquer Gear and Bishopsto Trading Company.