Glasgow fashion students to showcase designer collection created from cashmere waste

Garments made from a luxury clothing brand’s surplus waste will be among the creations showcased at this year’s Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) student fashion show.

The sustainable fashion collection, which uses recycled off-cuts from Alex Begg, saw fourth year students incorporate waste cashmere, wool, angora and silk, among other elements, into new designs.

Alex Begg began making scarves in Paisley in 1866 before moving to Ayr in 1902. Its accessories are sold worldwide under the Begg & Co brand and are stocked by international fashion houses.

Begg & Co

Ian Whiteford, the company’s sustainability managae, said: “It has been invaluable to have fresh eyes look at our excess production materials and to imagine what they might become.

“We greatly appreciate the students’ time, creative flair and application of their course learning in this project and we are very excited about the results.”

Linda Shearer, head of Fashion, Marketing, Tourism and Events at GCU, said: “The design project with Alex Begg has given final year fashion business students a real-world perspective of issues faced by the industry in relation to luxury textile waste.

“It has challenged them to confront sustainability from a business perspective and use their creative skills to address this, resulting in an exciting range of garment designs.”

Other highlights of the 2019 show include a streetwear collection created in partnership with non-profit fashion brand The Blankfaces, which raises funds for the homeless community in Glasgow.

Also on display will be a range of gender-neutral clothing produced for a project with Radisson RED.

The GCU Fashion Show 2019 will be held at the Garment Factory, in the Merchant City, on Thursday May 30 with two performances at 6pm and 8pm.

Tickets are priced £8 and are available online via GCU Store.