Join us for an eye-opening evening with maverick of the fashion industry, Patrick Grant. In an era where fashion’s footprint has outgrown its fabric, Patrick, an Edinburgh-born fashion icon and advocate for ethical practices, will unravel the tangled threads of the industry. From the allure of haute couture to the dark realities of its environmental impact, this conversation promises a journey through the heart of fashion with one of its most passionate and pioneering figures.

Patrick will be led in conversation by Lucy Siegle. Lucy is a writer and broadcaster specialising in Nature and Climate and a cheerleader for environmental action (whoever and wherever you are). Author of To Die for: Is Fashion Wearing Out the World?, the basis for the documentary The True Cost she has a deep interest in fashion and sustainability and is perfectly placed to steer Patrick through his transformative odyssey from a single boutique on Savile Row to dressing the stars and championing a movement for change.

Patrick will shed light on the truths behind our clothes – the carbon emissions eclipsing aviation and shipping, the generational surplus of garments, and the paradox of local manufacturing’s decline amidst a global spending spree.

This session will not only highlight the need for a sustainable future but also celebrate the potential for renewal within the fashion industry.

Speakers:

Patrick Grant has a career in fashion spanning nearly two decades and has a lot to say about our clothing, who makes it and how it’s made. He is a regular on television and radio as a commentator on the clothing and textile industries and is best known as a judge on the BBC’s Great British Sewing Bee. Patrick holds an honorary Doctorate from Heriot Watt University, is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and is in the Business of Fashion 500 index of the most influential people in global fashion. In 2016 he launched Community Clothing, a social enterprise which supports thousands of UK jobs through making and selling affordable high-quality clothing.

Lucy Siegle is a UK based journalist and broadcaster and opinion leader who specialises in climate and nature coverage. She has contributed environmental stories and presented for BBC1’s The One Show since it began! She is the author of five books including Turning the Tide on Plastic: How Humanity (and you) Can Make Our Globe Clean Again and her classic book on sustainability in fashion To Die For: Is Fashion Wearing out the World , published by Fourth Estate London and nominated for the Orwell prize, it is still the basis of fashion education courses around the world and was the basis for hit Netflix documentary, The True Cost, (she is co-executive producer). She works extensively communicating green economy and just transition to help all sorts of people who want change, in business, farming, supply chains and education. She is co-founder of the Green Carpet Challenge (with Livia Firth), the Observer Ethical Awards, curates the Times Earth Summit and set up her own community festival The Thames Ditton Climate and Nature festival on the banks of the Thames. Lucy is also known for working with popstar and UNEP and WWF ambassador Ellie Goulding, whose climate messaging meets millions of young people globally. Lucy is a trustee for Surfers Against Sewage and an ambassador for WWF UK and The Circle.