Fashion District reveals programme for latest sustainable fashion festival
Fashion District, the hub for fashion innovation and sustainability at London College of Fashion, has revealed its programme for the third iteration of its festival at East London’s Spitalfields – set to run from 3-8 June 2025.
This year the Fashion District Festival is partnering with SXSW London, the platform which aims to support "global pioneers and trailblazers in fashion technology and sustainability".
Bringing together conscious shoppers and start up entrepreneurs, the festival centres around a live fashion performance showcase, a sustainable pop-up shop, upcycling workshops, and fashion business panel events.
The one-off fashion performance showcase on 3 June will feature a performance by the Alexander Whitley Dance Company - with the dancers styled by fashion stylist Kim Howells, including designs from Dr Noki and Maximilian Raynor.
At the pop-up shop at 30a Spital Square, shoppers will be able to discover a variety of second-hand brands such as Alterist, and a series of events to learn how to give clothing a second life. This includes mending a pair of jeans as part of the ‘100 Jeans Challenge’. Visitors will also be able to get their sneakers professional cleaned by Vamp.
Fashion businesses, start-ups, brands and investors will be able connect at the festival, with a series of roundtables, talks, and workshops that "delve into the ideas driving change within the industry".
A highlight event includes ‘Spin Ventures: Accelerating Regenerative Fashion’, on 5 June, co-hosted by The House of Circularity. The exclusive one-day working session will bring together brands, investors and innovators "to mobilise capital, unlock industry adoption and scale venture-led innovation through commercial pilots".
Speakers will include Chelsea Franklin, Mary Fellowes, Carmel Rafaeli, representatives from Pangaia and Greenwith Studios, as well as sustainability strategist, François Souchet.
Helen Lax, Director of Fashion District, said: "We’re thrilled to bring the Fashion District Festival back to East London’s Spitalfields this year, spotlighting the next generation of talent and innovation in sustainability.
"For us, the festival is a platform for progress, and in a new 2025 collaboration with SXSW London we will explore critical industry themes. By championing emerging designers, start-ups and thought leaders, we aim to reshape the fashion landscape, making it easier for communities to shop consciously while supporting a more sustainable and circular approach."
Between 2-7 June, SXSW London will take over dozens of venues, galleries, clubs and spaces around Shoreditch in East London, including many independent and community-led spaces.
Katy Arnander, Director of Programming at SXSW London, said: "London has long been recognised as a global hub for fashion, serving not only as a birthplace, but also as a major point of convergence for consumers and designers worldwide.
"SXSW London is excited to celebrate this creativity with the Fashion District, who have their home firmly rooted in East London and Spitalfields. Fashion District represents some of the UK’s most thoughtful and dynamic emerging talent, while playing a vital role integrating sustainability and circular fashion into the very fabric of innovation."
Jason Dervin, Spitalfields Estate Director, added: "We are so proud to host the ever-inspiring Fashion District Festival. It’s fantastic to champion sustainable start-ups, emerging talent and brands in such a dynamic way.
"This vibrant celebration perfectly complements our existing shops and eateries, and we cannot wait to see everyone at the festival this summer."
