We are 65 years old this year and, to mark this fantastic milestone, we are delighted to share an inspiring programme of activities for the whole Community!
Upcycled Fashion Exhibition in support of Reading Climate Festival
From Saturday 10th June to Saturday 18th June 2023
“Enter the newest sustainability trend within the retail industry: upcycling. Upcycling is reusing discarded objects or materials to create a product of higher quality or perceived value than the original. Upcycling reduces cloth and textile waste by reusing deadstock or gently used fabric to create new garments and products.
Upcycling can use pre-consumer or post-consumer waste or a combination of the two. There is also a new eco-centric trend that uses plastic bottles to create yarns and materials to produce everything from jackets and t-shirts to shoes and accessories. With the use of new technology innovations like recycling robots with AI, recycling plastics is becoming more efficient and popularly used in consumer products. Prior to the sustainability trend and new development of technology, creating sustainable products out of completely recycled yarns and materials at such a high-quality standard was nearly impossible”. Source Upcycling Your Way to Sustainability, Forbes Magazine
This is our Community College contribution to a trend started in 2019 – Upcycling – which gives new purpose and life to fabrics and other materials.
In between April and May 2023, we launched a series of face-to-face workshops and a community project, and invited our local community to create items to exhibit around Reading during the Reading Climate Festival and in support of this festival.
We chose fashion because we offer Dressmaking, Upcycled Fashion and Textiles classes at the College, and we wanted to educate ourselves as well as being more sustainable.
John Lewis kindly donated fabrics, ribbons and other items for this project, and our learners transformed them into new clothes and 3D objects, such as handbags, purses, cushions and more!
So, follow the map, explore Reading, and don’t forget to visit the stunning 3D sculpture of planet Earth at the Reading Town Hall, as well as all the other activities taking part during the Reading Climate Festival week.
If you happen to snap a selfie, please tag our social media pages and hashtag
#GaiaRDG #ReadingClimateFestival
Gaia has been created in partnership with the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Bluedot and the UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres.
For more information on Reading Climate Festival and for more events please visit their website
Upcycling Fashion Event
Calling all budding fashion designers!
Are you passionate about sustainable fashion? Would you love an opportunity to design something amazing and have your work exhibited across Reading?
This free to enter event, sponsored by John Lewis and in partnership with Reading Climate Festival, is an amazing opportunity to try something different whilst demonstrating your sustainability skills.
Free starter packs are available including a garment for you to upcycle into your own design.
Who can enter
This event is open to anyone regardless of age.
How to take part
Simply start sewing or crafting your item, and then submit a picture of your outfit or item online. This is completely free. If you’re 12 or under, a parent or guardian will need to this for you.
All items created will be exhibited at our Sustainable Fashion Exhibition, at the Reading Town Hall from 10th – 18th June 2023 as part of the Reading Climate Festival GAIA exhibition.
To request your starter pack contact us on 0345 842 0012 or email newdirections@reading.gov.uk
To exhibit Your Work
Send a picture of your finished item to entries.newdirections@reading.gov.uk
Your email must be titled with event code 65COMFASHION
In the email, please provide the following information:
Artist Name
Type of item and measurements
Information about your finished item and what inspired you (No more than 100 words)
Upcycled materials used
Contact telephone number
You will need to email a picture of your work no later than 3pm on Wednesday 31st May 2023.
Upcycled Fashion Workshops at New Directions College
To celebrate our 65th year of delivering adult learning and to support the Reading Climate Festival, New Directions College is delighted to be able to offer sustainable fashion workshops, delivered in partnership with John Lewis.
These workshops will enable you to work on an individual project and realise your passion and talent for making sustainable fashion pieces under the guidance of a specialist Tutor. Put to use your old and unwanted clothing, shoes, bags, hats and create something new from something old. Use preloved garments, curtains and textiles or broken jewellery, gift tags, ribbons and paper.
All items created will be exhibited at our Sustainable Fashion Exhibition, at the Reading Town Hall from 10th – 18th June 2023 as part of the Reading Climate Festival GAIA exhibition.
Upcycled Fashion Day Workshops
Every Thursday morning for six weeks, you will have the opportunity to create your very own, unique sustainable fashion item. Recycle, Upcycle, Re-purpose and add elements of the Climate Stripes to your item.
Course Code: 22C/65DWFASHION
Venue: New Directions College 330 Northumberland Avenue RG2 8DH
Registration Fee: £15
Classes will take place the following mornings:
Thursday 20th April 2023 – 10am to 12pm
Thursday 27th April 2023 – 10am to 12pm
Thursday 4th May 2023 – 10am to 12pm
Thursday 11th May 2023 – 10am to 12pm
Thursday 18th May 2023 – 10am to 12pm
Thursday 25th May 2023 – 10am to 12pm
Click here to register
Upcycled Fashion Evening Workshops
Every Thursday evening for five weeks, you will have the opportunity to create your very own, unique sustainable fashion item. Recycle, Upcycle, Re-purpose and add elements of the Climate Stripes to your item.
Course Code: 22C/65EWFASHION
Venue: New Directions College 330 Northumberland Avenue RG2 8DH
Registration Fee: £15
Classes will take place the following evenings:
Thursday 27th April 2023 – 19:00 to 21:30
Thursday 4th May 2023 – 19:00 to 21:30
Thursday 11th May 2023 – 19:00 to 21:30
Thursday 18th May 2023 – 19:00 to 21:30
Thursday 25th May 2023 – 19:00 to 21:30