The Good Clothes Show 2024: Sustainable Fashion Event

The Good Clothes Show at Birmingham NEC, held from September 20-22, 2024, brought together a vibrant community of sustainable fashion advocates, designers, sellers, authors, speakers, and enthusiasts. This event was a milestone for the sustainability movement in fashion.

The Good Clothes Show – A New Take on an Old Favourite

The event organisers, although not based in the UK, faced a huge task. Despite the challenges, they managed to bring together many of the fashion industry’s leading sustainability advocates. The show offered a packed schedule with plenty to see and do.

From the UK’s largest Swap Shop (a collaboration between Global Fashion Exchange and The Big Swap) to VIP styling sessions and mending workshops, there was something for everyone. I offered my VIP styling experience and had the pleasure of sharing the Restyle Lounge with Alex (colour analysis) and Lucy (a secondhand stylist).

There were also book signings, a main stage with talks, upcycling workshops, and of course, a catwalk that featured everything from vintage, pre-loved pieces to new sustainable brands.

Impressive Speaker Lineup

I was honoured to be amongst many sustainable fashion icons, including:

• Carry Somers, Co-founder of Fashion Revolution, is an activist, writer, and speaker dedicated to promoting transparency and sustainability in the fashion industry.
• Clare Press, a global expert on sustainable fashion, the host of the “Wardrobe Crisis” podcast and the author of several books on the subject, including Rise & Resis and Wear Next. She was the first Sustainability Editor for Vogue and one of my idols when I first got into sustainable fashion.
• Patrick Grant, a British fashion designer and TV presenter, a champion of sustainable fashion, is known for his work revitalising heritage brands and advocating for ethical manufacturing practices through his label, Community Clothing.
• Tiffany Darke, A journalist and author has worked across media and fashion, focusing on the intersection of sustainability and style. She is a well-known advocate for responsible consumerism and the Rule of 5 (to only purchase 5 new things a year).
• Patrick Duffy Founder of Global Fashion Exchange is an influential voice in the circular fashion movement, encouraging clothing swaps and sustainable consumption worldwide.

This is just a small sample of the speakers, the amazing lineup provided valuable insights into the future of sustainable fashion and what it takes to transform the industry.

Showcasing Sustainable Fashion Creativity

The Good Clothes Show did a brilliant job showcasing the creativity and sustainability in fashion. It was uplifting to see so many passionate people, all working towards a more responsible future for the industry. As someone who has championed sustainability for the last decade, it was refreshing to be around like-minded individuals.

In many ways, it felt like a sustainable fashion fan event, connecting pioneers, brands and early adopters of ethical fashion. It was a celebration of the work we’ve all been doing but with an urgent call to reach those outside our sustainability bubble.

Sharing Sustainable Style Insights

I took to the stage at 1 PM to talk about creating a style that reflects your values and builds confidence from the inside out. I broke down the six essential pieces of the style puzzle—things often untaught—to help the audience start their own journey towards a sustainable wardrobe.

Even if they couldn’t afford a stylist, I equipped them with practical tips on how to make better, thoughtful fashion decisions. If anyone needed more guidance, I invited them to join my upcoming Styling Cohort for additional support.

VIP Sustainable Styling with Shooka Biderian

It was an absolute pleasure to work with my VIP client, Shooka Biderian—a climate activist, TV presenter, and sustainable fashion advocate.

Together, we worked on restyling and breathing new life into one piece—a little black dress. I borrowed a few pieces from brands exhibiting and added a few extra pieces from my styling archive so that we could get inspired, try our new styling techniques and come up with new looks.

Featured Brands:

Look 1 – Stuart Trevor Full Circle Skirt made from Deadstock in East London
Look 2 – Saywood Studio cropped trousers via Percy Langley

We created four beautiful looks that challenged the stereotype of sustainable fashion being grungy or outdated. Sustainable styling can still be chic and elegant – there are style options for everyone!

Observations on The Good Clothes Show 2024: What Worked and What Didn’t

The show had many positives, including a focus on preloved, vintage sellers, and creative upcycling workshops. However, it felt more focused on fostering creativity and sustainability rather than shopping, which may have impacted sales for vendors.

A recurring theme was the contradiction between speakers advocating “don’t buy anything” while sellers aimed to sell their products. This created confusion, and vendors mentioned they may rethink future participation. I believe a clearer direction is needed for the event to appeal to both sustainability enthusiasts and mainstream shoppers.

Make Sustainability Diverse and Accessible

I wanted to see more commercial style choices and a broader selection of sustainable fashion brands. I did however find one brand that exceeded my expectations, the dress above that I am in love with is from Anciela a sustainable Latin Couture brand 😍 please do check them out! If you have curves this brand was made for you. I channelled my inner JLo in this dress.

For me, the choice of brands showcased is where sustainability can prove itself and get those not engaged with sustainability to be excited about investing in ethical high-quality sustainable fashion, and/or restyling their existing clothes.

I love upcycling items into something new with amazing brands like NEWLESS and keeping good clothes in circulation by swapping them. I see repairs as a ‘unique experience’ and a chance to put my spin on things. And I’m sure many fashion lovers who aren’t into sustainability would feel the same if they gave it a chance too.

Final Thoughts: Reflections on The Good Clothes Show

The Good Clothes Show had all the right intentions—showcasing a range of sustainable brands and practices—but to build a lasting legacy, the show must embrace fashion lovers who aren’t yet sold on sustainability. I would love to see more commercial style choices and high-profile collaborations that attract high-street shoppers.

This event was a significant milestone for the sustainability movement in fashion, but at the same time, it didn’t quite appeal to or pull in the mainstream crowd that The Clothes Show was once known for.

With the right tweaks, I believe this event could become a must-attend yearly celebration of fashion and sustainability. Let’s make The Good Clothes Show ‘the place’ for anyone who loves fashion to discover new ways to refresh their style responsibly.

My goal through my speaking and styling is to inspire those not already engaged in the sustainable movement, encouraging them to rethink how they can refresh their wardrobe without sacrificing style or luxury.

Let me know in the comments if there’s anything else you’d like to know. Will you be booking your tickets for next year?