Designers and artsy thrifters are being given the chance to upcycle and create dream wedding dresses for a worthwhile cause.
Emmaus Mossley, a second-hand superstore and charity for the homeless, has launched a wedding dress redesign competition to boost funds for those in need.
A total 15 applicants will be able to choose a wedding dress from the extensive collection the charity has accumulated over the years when the application process closes on Friday, August 17.
They will then redesign the frock before returning it in its newfound glory on the deadline day on Friday, September 21.
The gowns will be displayed at Emmaus Mossley before being sold, with all the proceeds going towards the charity.
Providing home and work opportunities for the previously homeless and unemployed, Emmaus Mossley is a social enterprise which aims to provide companionship for those in need and offer tools to further their opportunities in life.
Hazel Hodkinson, retail manager at Emmaus Mossley, said: “Like many other charity shops, we have found ourselves harbouring a collection of beautiful donated wedding dresses.
“Most have only been worn once and some are brand new with their labels showing price tags of several hundred pounds.”
“We want to give these dresses a second life by calling on our creative supporters to transform them into new garments or upcycle them into something completely different.
“The competition will hopefully showcase these beautiful fabrics in imaginative ways and give them a life beyond one day of use.”
The competition – in which all returned items will be displayed and photographed at Emmaus Mossley during Recycle Week 2018 – coincides with the recent popularity of ‘upcycling’ in the world of fashion.
In fact, the State of Fashion 2018 report previously announced: “2018 is the year for sustainability within the fashion industry.”
With Gucci’s fur ban and Stella McCartney’s faux leather catwalk at Paris Fashion Week, sustainable fashion has certainly gained momentum, so it’s no surprise to see fashion-forward Manchester get into the swing of things.
This competition is a brilliant opportunity to showcase what Manchester has to offer, as well as support sustainable fashion and help those in need – much like Balenciaga’s campaign to raise money for the United Nations’ World Food Programme during its Autumn/Winter show.
