A new initiative focused on promoting sustainable fashion has received nearly £850,000 in funding. The four-year project, titled Restitch the Future, aims to inspire climate action by establishing high street hubs that will offer workshops for clothing repairs, clothing swaps, and skill-sharing activities, alongside research into sustainable fashion behaviors.
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Launched by Bath Spa University in partnership with the Bristol-based community interest company A Single Thread, the project was funded by the National Lottery's Community Action Fund. Amelia Twine, founder of A Single Thread, noted that the perception of sustainable fashion as expensive and exclusive needs to change.
According to Bath Spa University, the fashion industry contributes up to 10% of global carbon emissions, largely because sustainable options are often seen as inaccessible or unaffordable. Twine called fashion an urgent climate challenge that is frequently overlooked. She emphasized that by providing opportunities to repair, reuse, and rethink clothing, the project aims to make sustainable fashion more accessible and empower individuals to engage in meaningful climate action.
In its initial phase, Restitch the Future has already established temporary hubs in cities such as Bristol, Bath, Wellington, Stroud, and Cheltenham. Twine expressed hope to expand this to permanent hubs over the next four years.
The initiative promotes a shift in consumer behavior by encouraging people to reduce their reliance on fast fashion. A Single Thread also plans to advocate for government regulations to hold brands accountable for their practices.
Bath Spa University will spearhead a research program that examines barriers to sustainable fashion engagement, including issues of affordability and representation. Last year, the university launched its own sustainable fashion project, Future Fashion Works, which aims to connect students with local creatives and designers. Tamara Parsons-Baker, head of Future Fashion Works, emphasized the project's goal to better understand lasting behavior change in fashion consumption, stating it will generate essential evidence for creating a significant social and environmental impact across the UK.