Phew, we’ve finished the training phase of our REColour Anti-Voque project
From the very beginning, this initiative has been a true source of inspiration for everyone involved—especially for us at ARTE.M and our fantastic partner associations Jaunatnes organizāciju apvienība “IMKA Latvija” and Eine Welt e.V. (DE) from Germany.
For all of us, fashion is a passion, a statement, a way to express who we are. And sustainability? Well, that's part of our everyday mission. ♻️❤️
But we also wanted REColour Anti-Voque to be about more than just sustainable fashion. Probably as ou know that the textile industry is the world’s second-largest polluter, responsible for nearly 10% of global carbon emissions and over 20% of water pollution? And yet, only 12% of textile waste is recycled (source: earth.org).
We added an anti-bullying focus, too. After all, how we dress, how we express ourselves, and our unique styles can sometimes lead to misunderstandings or even rejection from others. Working with young people, we see firsthand how schools can become places where those who stand out become targets.
Oh, what a journey it’s been! Through Project ReColour, we created an eco-lab on the stunning island of Madeira, where we dove headfirst into all things sustainable and fashionable. Ready to hear what we’ve been up to? Buckle up for some serious inspiration and maybe even a few ideas for your own eco-adventures!
Here’s What We Did:
Eco Art Exhibition – We kicked things off with an exhibition featuring an eco-artist and a marine biologist from the U.S., diving deep into art that speaks to ocean conservation and sustainability. It was a beautiful mix of creativity and environmental awareness!
Upcycling Workshops 🧵✂️ – Next, Together with our partnerts SocioHabita Funchal, GreenerACT, Madeira Friends we hosted a series of workshops on textile upcycling, teaching everything from making fabric flowers to crafting bags from old materials. By the end, we had so many “new” accessories that could rival any fashion store!
Summer Tie-Dye Atelier 🌞👕 – For our summer activities, we focused on working with kids. Together with our partner SocioHabita, we turned old t-shirts into colorful masterpieces using tie-dye techniques. The kids loved transforming something old into vibrant new art!
Swap Parties Galore 🎉♻️ – We teamed up with Madeira Friends and GreenerAct to throw swap parties that brought the community together and found new homes for countless items. Nothing like swapping clothes to refresh a wardrobe sustainably!
International Anti-Fast Fashion Ambassadors – We became ambassadors for the Remark community, joining a global anti-fast fashion movement. Plus, the Madeira Circular Platform recognized our work and invited us to join their eco-sustainable network. And let’s not forget the honor of being acknowledged by DRAAC for promoting eco-friendly and ethical fashion!
Blogging for Good – We also ran a blog to highlight success stories from vintage shops and featured interviews with fashion designers committed to sustainability.
And Finally Fashion Sustainability Week and Lab
Our grand finale was a Fashion Sustainable Week & Lab on Madeira, where our Portuguese, German, and Latvian partners joined forces to dive into all things sustainable fashion.
Here’s a sneak peek into what we did:
We explored the world of sustainable fashion, learning the ins and outs of slow vs. fast fashion brands.
With a stylist from Latvia Ilze Cecina, we created bold new looks using secondhand clothes, experimented with photography, and played with different backgrounds to understand indoor vs. outdoor photo settings.
We opened an exhibit featuring upcycled accessories made with SocioHabita, showing off pieces with fresh, eco-friendly flair.
We even got a tour of Funchal’s trendiest vintage shop, Botão Solidário, and were featured on Portugal’s SIC news! 🎥
Bullying Awareness & Prevention Tools – Alongside our fashion mission, we also introduced anti-bullying tools to address how people’s styles and appearances can sometimes lead to bullying in schools.
Full-On Anti-Vogue Fashion Photoshoot 📸💄 – And yes, we went all out with a true anti-vogue fashion shoot! From stylists to makeup artists, models to assistants, we created a real fashion set, capturing bold, creative looks that celebrate sustainable style with a rebellious edge. This was fashion done right—with heart, soul, and a touch of attitude!
Closing Swap Party Extravaganza 🎉🛍️ – And, as a grand finale, we hosted a swap party that attracted over 100 people! It was the perfect celebration of community, sustainability, and shared passion for a greener world.
Project ReColour has been about more than fashion—it’s been about building a community, embracing creativity, and sharing stories through the lens of sustainability. Here’s to many more eco-friendly adventures! 💚
More about project -2023-1-DE04-KA210-YOU-000153126REColour” co-funded by Erasmus+ Program of the European Union 🇪🇺 and aims to teach young people about sustainable fashion traditions and build a more environmentally friendly fashion industry
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