A new three-day show is launching at Birmingham’s NEC this autumn called ‘The Good Clothes Show’ (TGCS), which aims to bridge the gap between the worlds of fast fashion and sustainability “in a non-judgemental environment”.
Running from 20-22 September 2024, the show is setting out to introduce consumers to circularity in action and “shift mindsets”.
Elements of the original ‘The Clothes Show Live’ format will be present, though the two are not linked.
The new show, which is “founded on the premise that pop culture and sustainable fashion exist in silos”, will present fresh and alternative ways to enjoy shopping and engaging with fashion.
It will bring together a curation of pre-loved and vintage clothing and accessories, “responsibly motivated” independent labels, as well as makers, menders and creators of customised pieces.
Looking beyond the ‘take – make – waste’ linear model that it says dominates the mainstream fashion industry, the show will “give life” to the concept of the ‘The Circular Machine’.
Featuring three pillars of the circular fashion model side by side; swapping, donating and upcycling, TGCS Circular Machine is partnering with Global Fashion Exchange, The Big Swap Events, Smart Works and White Rose “to deliver a full circle system” in one place.
Visitors to the show are invited to bring along items that no longer work for them, which can be dropped at a central collection point on arrival.
Unwanted workwear garments will be filtered to Smart Works, helping women re-entering the workforce prepare for interviews, with all other donations sorted for suitability for a TGCS Swap Party.
Any pieces that do not make the grade will be directed to White Rose, a charity which cleans, repairs or reworks pieces.
There will also be panel talks with former Vogue Australia sustainability editor and Wardrobe Crisis podcast host Clare Press and former editor of Sunday Times Style magazine Tiffanie Darke, who will “open much needed dialogue on how we interact with fashion and each other”.