A special fashion workshop is coming to Letterkenny and Carndonagh this week aimed at inspiring people to make small changes for a more sustainable fashion industry before Christmas.
The workshop called “How to Green Your Wardrobe”, will take place in the Regional Cultural Centre in Letterkenny today Thursday, December 7th, from 7pm to 8:30pm, and in Spraoi Agus Sport in Carndonagh on Friday, December 8th, from 11am to 12:30pm.
The workshop will encourage more sustainable living in Donegal by promoting upcycling, repurposing, reusing and repairing of clothes.
The workshop is part of the Sustainability Passport Series by ChangeMakers Donegal and aims to inspire people to reduce the environmental impact of the fast fashion industry.
The event is a collaboration between ChangeMakers Donegal, an initiative by Inishowen Development Partnership and the Rediscovery Centre, a national centre for the circular economy based in Dublin. ChangeMakers Donegal is a partnership with IDP, Donegal ETB, Self Help Africa, Trócaire, and Concern.
Local people are invited to bring along one of clothing for a ‘pop up swap rail’ at either Regional Cultural Centre or Spraoi agus Sport. This will give people an idea of the potential of initiatives such as this.
Kate O’Callaghan Project Worker with ChangeMakers Donegal said they are delighted to team up with the Rediscovery Centre and hope that the workshops will create a lasting impact on the participants, the community, and the planet.
“With the festive season of over-consumption upon us, it’s crucial to consider the impact of Fast Fashion on our planet and environment,” emphasizes Kate.
“Fast Fashion leads to the production of huge amounts of clothing-related waste every year. Factory workers, particularly women and children, who manufacture garments for some high street brands, face appalling work and pay conditions.
“At ChangeMakers Donegal, we recognize the importance of raising awareness about how our daily practices affect other countries and the planet. While we shop online or in stores, it’s easy to overlook these harsh realities,” Kate added.
She goes on to explain that the fashion workshop with the Rediscovery Centre is focused on making small, local changes that will have a lasting global impact – a theme that aligns with their Sustainability Passport Programme.
“With our Sustainability Passport we break sustainability down into five areas of life and make small suggestions as to what people can do to create change. We are inviting craft groups, sewing groups, bargain hunters, charity shop enthusiasts, and fashion lovers to attend two free 90-minute events where they will learn more about the benefits of repairing and upcycling this Christmas.”
Workshop participants1
Kate added they are delighted to ChangeMakers Seeds of Change Participants Letterkenny Tidy Towns and Spraoi agus Sport coming onboard to support them and the Rediscovery Centre in putting on the workshops.
Both groups are being funded by the ChangeMakers Seeds of Change programme to set up training and workshops for people who want to learn to sew, to do more upcycling, and possibly some swap shops.
Event details
Thursday 7 December 2023 at 7pm – 8:30pm at the Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny in partnership with Letterkenny Tidy Towns.
Friday 8 December 2023 at 12 noon – 1:30pm in partnership with Spraoi agus Spórt, Carndonagh including a visit to the newly opened Síoraí Clothing & Accessories and Siorai Home.
Eventbrite booking links for both events can be found at changemakers.ie/events/newsevents/