Make sustainable change and support Bristol’s female fashion designers

Early in 2021, plastic microfibres were found in the ice core of the Antarctic, proving how, now more than ever, this is the time to start living a sustainable lifestyle.  One way to do this is through clothing.

There are many amazing and talented female-identifying sustainable fashion designers in Bristol. Bristol24/7 is celebrating the women that are creating change in the city.

Sophie Filomena is a talented sustainable designer creating handmade, statement designs. Although mostly focused on accessories, she has started to venture into homeware.

“I was raised to be less wasteful and to learn the skill of mending her own clothes,” says Sophie.

She joined the sustainable fashion industry “unintentionally” when she started a new hobby of earring making for pleasure rather than profit, after wanting a different challenge not focused on her career in digital illustration.

“Start small, consider how you can re-purpose or mend an item of clothing, before throwing it away,” says Sophie, who has been featured in Vogue.

“Start a new sewing hobby to stay occupied during lockdown. If you want to treat yourself to something new, consider alternative sites and small business owners first, before purchasing something.”

Sophie Filomena sells jewellery and homeware. Photo: Sophie Filomena

Elin Horgan is a designer creating long-lasting, beautifully-designed jewellery. Elin is a jewellery designer and maker, specialising in elegant geometric-inspired designs made from recycled silver and, in normal times, runs workshops as well.

She launched her Bishopton-based business in 2013, but didn’t start out using only recycled silver.

But, over the years. Elin became “more aware of the environmental impact and poor labour standards” and started to look into recycled alternatives. She now uses Ecosilver, which is made using scrap jewellery and recycled silver from medical equipment, electronics and giftware.

“Choose well, buy less, make it last,” Elin quoted fashion designer Vivienne Westwood when asked about what advice she would give for creating a more sustainable wardrobe.

“Make a note of something that you desperately want and wait a week or two before you look back and reflect on whether you really want or need it.”

Elin’s work is created out of Ecosilver. Photo: Elin Horgan

Emma Graham-White is the founder of Duvet Days, a sustainable label making clothes out of old duvet covers.

Emma first started making clothes herself at art college, which is when she decided to stop buying from high street and started to become more interested in sustainable fashion.

Her favourite projects to create are matching outfits for families, having even created three matching outfits for Lily Allen and her daughters.

“It’s hard at the moment as shops aren’t open but I would recommend Depop and eBay to look for vintage and good second hand clothing,” says Emma, who is based at Good Store Studio in Old Market.

“Also there are plenty of small businesses that are made to order clothing and it’s not as much money as you would think a lot of the time!” says Emma.

The Duvet Days brand, which also makes clothes to measure at no extra cost, is available online and on Good Store Studio’s website.

Emma makes unique dungarees. Photo: Emma Gorton-Elliott

Nina Redman is a pattern cutter and fashion designer. Working for small brands in the South West, from an old tailoring and manufacturing family in Yorkshire called Redman Brothers.

Based in Barton Hill and with a strong focus throughout her work on sustainability in fashion, Nina says: “Sustainable materials are often also some of the most thoughtfully designed products, meaning that the quality is also often better than the less sustainable options.”

Nina explained how creating a more sustainable wardrobe is about finding items that very much reflect your style. She explained that to do this it takes time and “researching the hell out of the brands you choose to support”.

Nina Redman is a pattern cutter based in east Bristol. Photo: Nina Redman

“Focus on the quality of materials used in the products,” Nina adds. “Natural fabrics such as linen, leather, silk, wool and cotton are a sure-fire sign of a garment that will last, they also have the added benefit of not adding to plastic pollution.”

These wonderful female identifying designers are a true inspiration in the area of sustainable wardrobes, whether buying directly from them or taking their lead, this is the direction that will help save the planet.

Additional reporting by the Artworks Media team, students at Bath Spa University, in their final year of creative media studies. Edited by Lowie Trevena.

Main photo: Sophie Filomena

Read more: Sustainable Fashion Week hopes to change Bristol’s relationship with clothing