IDEA - Visit The M&S Shwop Lab

M&S and Oxfam have launched a fab new clothes recycling scheme called shwopping with Shwop Drop collection points in all stores except Simply Food ones. As part of the launch activity around the new, ongoing scheme, M&S also set up the Shwop Lab to get people talking and thinking about the issues at the heart of shwopping. It's all about stopping clothing going to landfill and the Shwop Lab brings together an  designers, stylists and thought-leaders to talk about and debate the future of a more sustainable fashion industry.

To attend one of the events, all you need to do is bring an unwanted item of clothing. Each item will either be reused and transformed in the lab or given to Oxfam to resell or recycle.

The M&S Shwop Lab is open between 10am – 5pm every day (except Mondays) from 26 April – 9 May 2012. View the events programme below or keep up with the latest shwopping news at M&S Stories.


FRIDAY 27 APRIL

11.00 – 12.30
TRUE MATERIALISM
Dr Kate Fletcher explores the economic, ecological and emotional value in the garments we wear.

15.00 – 15.45
THE M&S ARCHIVE
The evolution of M&S style over the years from 1884 to the present day.

15:45 – 16:30
THE HEIRLOOM CHALLENGE
Dilys Williams sets the brief for a weekend-long M&S heirloom challenge.

SATURDAY 28 APRIL

10.00 – 17.00
SUSTAINABLE FASHION LAB DESIGNER CHALLENGE – MILLINERY

Interactive public workshop, led by Noel Stewart, where denim off cuts will be transformed into an array of fashion forward headgear.

SUNDAY 29 APRIL

10.00 – 17.00
SUSTAINABLE FASHION LAB DESIGNER CHALLENGE – MILLINERY

Interactive public workshop, led by Noel Stewart, where denim off cuts will be transformed into an array of fashion forward headgear.

MONDAY 30 APRIL (SPACE CLOSED)

TUESDAY 1 MAY

10.00 – 17.00
SUSTAINABLE FASHION LAB DESIGNER CHALLENGE – READY TO WEAR

Gary Harvey and his team will be working around the clock to create one of his spectacular couture pieces made entirely of unwanted denim.

WEDNESDAY 2 MAY

10.00 – 17.00
SUSTAINABLE LAB DESIGNER CHALLENGE – READY TO WEAR

Gary Harvey and his team will be working around the clock to create one of his spectacular couture pieces made entirely of unwanted denim.

19.00 – 20.00
DON’T CARE HOW, I WANT IT NOW!
We can’t get enough of fashion – what feeds this need for speed. A panel discussion.

THURSDAY 3 MAY

10.00 – 17.00
SUSTAINABLE FASHION LAB DESIGNER CHALLENGE – ACCESSORIES

Michelle Lowe Holder and team, along with London College of Fashion students, transform unwanted garments into modern statement pieces.

19.00 – 20.00
CHRISTOPHER RAEBURN
Discusses the challenges associated with embedding sustainability within design.

FRIDAY 4 MAY

10.00 – 17.00
SUSTAINABLE FASHION LAB DESIGNER CHALLENGE – ACCESSORIES

Michelle Lowe Holder and team, along with London College of Fashion students, transform unwanted garments into modern statement pieces.

SATURDAY 5 MAY

10.00-17.00
THROWN AWAY FASHION WITH DR NOKI

Dr Noki will run an interactive, fun and engaging workshop where obsolete items will be cut up and reworked into new designs.

SUNDAY 6 MAY

10.00 – 17.00
THROWN AWAY FASHION WITH DR NOKI

Dr Noki will run an interactive, fun and engaging workshop where obsolete items will be cut up and reworked into new designs.

MONDAY 7 MAY (SPACE CLOSED)

TUESDAY 8 MAY

10.00 – 17.00
UNPICK AND REMIX

Jennifer Baillie and her team will take the public’s unwanted items of clothing and transform them through customisation.