Students rethink fashion for Oxfam’s Second Hand September campaign

Fashion students at the University of South Wales have partnered with Oxfam Cymru for the charity’s Second Hand September campaign, highlighting the environmental impact of fast fashion.

After scouring through clothing donations from local Oxfam shops, the first-year students worked in teams to put together outfits and upcycle items to create new looks.

Students across three courses – Fashion Design, Fashion Promotion and Fashion Business & Marketing – then modelled their looks in a photoshoot, using the photography studios at USW’s Cardiff campus.

Fast fashion – a term used to describe the quick turnover of fashion trends and the move towards cheap, mass-produced clothing – is said to be contributing to 8-10% of global carbon emissions, which is more than the aviation and shipping industries combined.  

Fashion Promotion student Vittorio Olivari, who was a member of The Tartanistas team, said: “We decided to create looks for every season using tartan garments, because the idea of shopping sustainably shouldn’t be exclusive to just one month. – it’s a positive change that we can make all year round.”

Fellow student Paige Farrell, who was in The Misfits team, added: “We were inspired by the idea of androgynous fashion; a fluid approach to clothing that goes against traditional gender norms, allowing people to experiment with different styles and just wear what they feel good in.”

Lawrence Lomas, Oxfam Cymru’s area manager for South Wales, said: “Fashion has become one of the most polluting industries on the planet, fuelling climate change which is pushing people into poverty the world over. Second Hand September is a moment for all of us to come together to choose a more sustainable ways to shop.

“The students’ creativity has breathed new life into pre-loved items, inspiring other people to help to reduce waste and champion a more sustainable way of living. By choosing second hand, these students are making a real difference in the fight against climate change and showing that fashion doesn’t have to cost the earth.”

Emma Jones, course leader for Fashion Promotion at USW, added: “The students have thoroughly enjoyed working with Oxfam Cymru to create some fantastic looks and help encourage people to buy second hand clothing.

“At USW we embed sustainability throughout our Fashion curriculum, and so projects like these are so important in raising awareness among the next generation of designers and stylists that the industry needs to change in order to help our planet.”