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Norwich Fashion Jam, create an upcycled outfit within 24 hours

How does upcycling fit with Norwich Fashion Week? Brilliantly thanks to the stars Kate and Jane and Age UK Norwich fundraiser Helen. Introducing Norwich Fashion Jam…

The concept is simple, upcycling and charity shop clothes can be fashionable. Twenty teams have been taking part in a 24 hour refashioning/restyling challenge to bring new outfits to the cat walk. There were teams of students, individuals, groups of friends – creative ideas flowed.

Norwich Fashion Jam, clothes for selection

Naturally I had to partake – there were lots of gorgeous clothes to choose from. My eye was drawn to a silk Monsoon skirt, a tweed wool skirt, a pair of jeans and cream top. The different textures and colours appealed. I had a loose plan of using the tweed and silk throughout the finished outfit.

Selection of former clothes ready for a remake, NOrwich Fashion Jam - two skirts, two tops and one pair of jeans

First up I converted the jeans into a denim skirt trimmed with the original trim from the tweed skirt, complimented with a ribbon of silk to highlight the red in the tweed. I love the embellishment on the hem. See my post here for tips to convert jeans into a skirt.

Denim skirt, highlighted with trim

Secondly I made an infinity scarf combining the tweed and silk – due to limitations in fabric it was not going to be long enough to double wrap round the neck so I added a twist in. Wondering how to make an infinity scarf from a skirt? I have a tutorial here.

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Next up, despite not having tackled the top and with time running out I just had to make a large clutch bag, again combining the wonderful textures and colours of the two skirts.

Twed and silk clutch bag, bow clutch made form upcycled materials

Lastly I shortened the top by several inches and took it on the side seams. A whole new styled matching outfit for £21 and 6-7 hours of sewing….

Refashioned outfit, silk and wool cowl, clutch and skirt Norwich Fashion Jam

I love the outfit, its one I will wear.  Yesterday evening a Fashion Show was held at Norwich Castle show casing the many wonderful sustainable fashion creations. Frustratingly I forgot my camera so am unable to show you the many wonderful designs – its fair to say mu co-ordinating outfit was the tamest their!!

All funds raised by Norwich Fashion Jam are for Age UK Norwich. They are a fabulous organisation, who in my day job I regularly liase with. I’m hoping the silent auction of the outfits has raised great funds for them. I’m sure photographs of the finished outfits will be up shortly on Norwich Fashion Jam’s website here, do take a look. The whole event is testimony to many people working together, One Planet Norwich, Norwich Fashion Week, Age UK Norwich, Norwich Castle to name a few.

Thanks again to Kate and Jenny the organisers,

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threadsnshreds

Sunday 20th of March 2016

How amazing that recycling has been added to a fashion show, and what a great challenge! I'm amazed and in awe, I think you did and an amazing job, such a shame you weren't able to capture the others. I would love to be able to upcycle like that xx

Caroline

Sunday 20th of March 2016

Wow looks really good.

Kathryn Sprowl

Wednesday 16th of March 2016

Very creative and chic. I would never have thought to put all of those together, but like the meld on the finished products.

Denita

Wednesday 16th of March 2016

Love what you did combining and using each piece. Great job!

Tina Voth

Tuesday 15th of March 2016

I love your fabric choices! I'm just getting into upcycling, and I have to say, it's really addicting!

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