Sustainable St Albans is gearing up for its annual Sustainability Festival, SustFest24, from June 7 to 16. This community-led event is packed with activities designed to promote environmental sustainability and inspire positive change. Among the many exciting events this year, the Preloved Charity Fashion Show and Sustainable Style workshop stand out, emphasizing eco-friendly fashion choices.

Preloved Charity Fashion Show

The Preloved Charity Fashion Show will take place on June 7 at the Alban Arena. This fashion show is a unique event that combines style with sustainability, showcasing outfits created entirely from second-hand and upcycled clothing. By highlighting the beauty and creativity that can come from preloved items, the show aims to challenge the fast fashion industry and promote a culture of reuse and recycling. This event not only supports local charities but also demonstrates that sustainable fashion can be both stylish and accessible.

The fashion show will feature local models and designers, bringing a community feel to the runway. Attendees can expect an evening of high fashion, innovative designs, and inspiring stories behind the outfits. Tickets for the event are available for £10 and can be purchased here​ (Sustainable St Albans)​​ (Sustainable St Albans).

Sustainable Style Workshop

On June 10, the Sustainable Style workshop will provide practical tips for creating a sustainable wardrobe. This interactive session will cover various aspects of eco-friendly fashion, including how to choose sustainable fabrics, the benefits of buying second-hand, and techniques for upcycling old clothes. Participants will learn how to reduce their carbon footprint through mindful fashion choices and sustainable practices.

The workshop will be led by experts in sustainable fashion who will share their insights and experiences. It’s a fantastic opportunity to gain knowledge and skills that can help transform your wardrobe into a more sustainable one. Tickets for the Sustainable Style workshop can be found here​ (Sustainable St Albans)​.

The Impact of Fast Fashion

The fast fashion industry is notorious for its significant environmental impact. It is responsible for approximately 10% of global carbon emissions and produces a vast amount of waste, with around 85% of textiles ending up in landfills each year. Fast fashion also consumes massive amounts of water; it takes about 2,700 liters of water to make one cotton shirt, which is equivalent to what one person drinks in two and a half years.

Why Sustainable Fashion Matters

Sustainable fashion aims to minimize the negative environmental and social impacts associated with the fashion industry. By choosing eco-friendly materials, supporting ethical brands, and embracing second-hand shopping, consumers can play a vital role in reducing the demand for fast fashion. Sustainable fashion helps conserve resources, reduce waste, and promote more ethical labor practices.

Join SustFest24

SustFest24 is a perfect platform to learn about and engage in sustainability practices. The Preloved Charity Fashion Show and Sustainable Style workshop are just two of the many events designed to inspire and educate the community. By participating in these events, you can contribute to a more sustainable future and enjoy a variety of activities focused on environmental conservation.

For more information and to view the full schedule of events, visit the Sustainable St Albans website. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be part of this incredible festival and make a positive impact on the environment.

Mark your calendars and join us in celebrating sustainability with style at SustFest24!

“After two very long years dealing with the pandemic, we are finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel” says Blake Kuwahara.  “This Spring Collection reflects that hopeful optimism with more color and adventurous shapes”.  His design ethos of creating eyewear that is at once artful yet wearable is evident in his signature frame-within-a-frame laminated technique and use of contrasting colors as well as his cast bone motif used in his Grey Label Collection.

Also dropping this Summer will be a limited edition of the now iconic CHAMBERS in a custom Rainbow acetate in honor of PRIDE. “I posted a rendering of the CHAMBERS in rainbow colors on Instagram to celebrate and recognize the LGBTQ Community during PRIDE Month, and it got such an overwhelming response that we decided to produce it!”, says Kuwahara.

“With the lifting of COVID-related restrictions and a pent-up demand, retail is continuing gain traction buoyed by consumer optimism,” says Richard Mewha, President of Fade To Grey, the distributing company for Blake Kuwahara Eyewear.

Blake Kuwahara designs are available from leading independent opticians across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire.

Kuwahara, the founder of the multi-disciplinary design agency, Focus Group West, first gained international acclaim as the creator and designer of the exclusive KATA Eyewear brand.  His groundbreaking use of engineering and production techniques together with his highly curated eye reinvented the way eyewear design is approached today.

Kuwahara’s bold experimentation and innovation have gained him a following in the fashion media and has been profiled in Vogue, ELLE, Bazaar, GQ, In Style, and Esquire and has been seen on E!, Access Hollywood, MTV, and CNN.  Buzzmagazine voted Kuwahara one of the “100 Coolest People in Los Angeles” and Detour magazine called him, “a gifted talent, blessed with savvy and unmistakable sense of style.”  

Kuwahara was recently named by Brilliant Magazine as one of the “100 Most Important People in the Eyewear Industry”. Kuwahara has also collaborated extensively on eyewear collections for John Varvatos, Carolina Herrera, Isaac Mizrahi, Behnaz Sarapfour, Hanae Mori, and Coach.

A celebrity favorite, Kuwahara’s designs are worn by Lil Nas X, Elton John, QuestLove, Brad Pitt, Sandra Bullock, Charlize Theron, Halle Berry, Robert Downey, Jr., Will Smith, Jeremy Piven, Samuel L. Jackson, Casey Affleck, Slash, and Gwyneth Paltrow among many others.

As a groom, it might be daunting to know where to start when it comes to choosing your wedding suit. There are some classic choices you can go for. For years, grey, blue, or black suits have been the favourite for grooms across the nation, matched with timeless brown or black shoes. There are options to personalise this suit too, with bold ties or even socks giving you an opportunity to express your personal flair in a subtle way.

But your wedding style shouldn’t be restricted by tradition. Menswear clothing retailer Charles Tyrwhitt have looked into current trends in men’s wedding fashion and helped create these tips on bringing these trends to your own wedding.

The roaring ‘20s and the 2020s

Formal suits have been around for decades. However, fashionable suits from a century ago were worn very differently from the suits that have seen popularity in recent years.

Having said that, with the global success of Peaky Blinders, ‘20s fashion is back in style. If you happen to be a fan of the series, why not take inspiration for your wedding suit? The cast is dressed to the nines throughout, and there are some easy ways to replicate their iconic look.

First off, choose a tweed suit in Herringbone or Donegal for a more rustic style. To complete the ‘20s look, you’re going to need to make use of accessories. Naturally, the Peaky Blinders were defined by their much-mythologised peaked cap, so adorning yourself in one of these will give you that instantly recognisable silhouette that you’re looking for. Top this all off with a statement gold pocket watch to complete the look of a well-dressed working gent.

Be creative with colour

While some of us will want to appeal to tradition, others will prefer to break away from those styles that came before. For these intrepid pioneers of fashion, experimenting with colour is a fantastic way to express their style know-how.

It can be tempting to play it safe with blues and greys, but your wedding day is the best time to make a statement. Now, you can opt for colours that will turn heads without sacrificing any of the class appropriate for the special occasion. In this sense, a deep red suit, in burgundy or wine, is a unique option that oozes sophisticated style. It’s a choice that will serve you well throughout the wedding day, being the perfect choice for both the ceremony and the late-night dancing.

Depending on when your wedding takes place, matching your suit colour with the season can be a great way to tie your whole day together. Unsurprisingly, an ONS survey from 2018 showed that summer was the most popular season for weddings. To pair with this season, you should go bright with light and natural colours. If you’re having a winter wedding, dark colours are the most fitting, so try a pine green or earthy brown.

Marriage in microprint

Colour and material are overarching points to consider when choosing your wedding suit. You’ll likely already have an idea of what you’re looking for in these places. However, the smaller aspects of men’s suits are just as important as the main pieces.

When you’re looking to add detail to your suit, many people will turn to accessories first. Pocket squares, ties, socks, and jewellery can be great additions, but a microprint suit can really serve to bind your look together. While forsaking the standard block-colour look, microprint items ensure that, no matter how close they get, people will always see more detail in your outfit.

There is plenty of variety in the patterns that you can choose too, so you can be specific about going for a pattern that really suits you. If you’re looking for ways to diversify your outfits too, you could use a microprint jacket with matching coloured trousers and waistcoat. You could even go for a microprint shirt to give a more subtle splash of variety to your look.

A statement waistcoat

There are many bold trends hitting men’s fashion that can make it overwhelming to settle on one style. Being restricted by tradition can be difficult, but being faced with too much choice can be just as challenging. Sometimes, a middle ground provides the best solution.

If you’re fond of a traditional suit but would like to embrace a modern twist, picking a statement waistcoat for your look could be the perfect answer. You can incorporate this as a complementary colour or pattern to match the rest of your look, but you can be as daring as you choose.

Pairing a tartan-patterned waistcoat in blue and green could be an understated flair of colour to really elevate your outfit. On the other hand, a striking mustard waistcoat against a dark blue suit will make sure that you’re the centre of attention throughout the day. Better yet, once it’s time to doff the jacket and hit the dancefloor, you’ll be impossible not to notice.

These are a few ways that you can stay on-trend with the latest wedding looks and make sure that you’re dressed in style for the big day. Weddings are a momentous occasion, whether you’re the lucky groom or an honoured guest, so it’s important that you look your best.

About Charles Tyrwhitt

Wherever you’re working, weekending or getting wed, Charles Tyrwhitt have got the togs for you.

Charles Tyrwhitt Bicester Village

Charles Tyrwhitt is a part of Bicester Village is situated in Bicester, England. Open 7 days a week, the store is one of two Charles Tyrwhitt stores located in the Three Counties of Beds, Bucks & Herts.

Charles Tyrwhitt Bicester Village
50 Pingle Drive
Bicester
England OX26 6WD
United Kingdom

Charles Tyrwhitt Marlow

Charles Tyrwhitt Marlow is located on Marlow High Street. Open 7 days a week, the store is one of two Charles Tyrwhitt stores located in the Three Counties of Beds, Bucks & Herts.

Charles Tyrwhitt Marlow
44 High Street
Marlow
Buckinghamshire
SL7 1AW