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Burberry to donate leftover fabrics to fashion students

The ReBurberry Fabric initiative will add to the luxury label’s ongoing sustainability efforts and help young, underrepresented fashion designers across the country.

In partnership with the British Fashion Council (BFC), Burberry has expanded its scholarship programme and announced a new sustainability project with both planet and people in mind.

With plans to donate all leftover materials to fashion students in need, the ReBurberry Fabric initiative is a significant continuation of the luxury label’s commitment to eco-conscious practices and an innovative means of addressing the industry’s deadstock crisis.

As reducing quantities of excess fabric, waste, and overproduction levels remains a top priority for many brands, Burberry is taking things a step further, using the scheme to additionally support the next generation of creative leaders from underrepresented communities.

Fashion Design Students, Schools and Colleges in the UK

Following a year of economic hardships brought about by a pandemic that’s particularly affected those of less privilege and little-to-no wealth, aspiring designers are not only facing staggering education debts, but are expected to pay for their own materials.

A challenge for those without financially secure backgrounds even prior to the outbreak, the current situation has left many feeling helpless, especially within an industry that still exudes opulence.

Killing two birds with one stone by encouraging burgeoning talent to find more sustainable ways of being while promoting new ways of thinking that don’t simply cater to the privileged, the label is setting a prime example of how fashion should aspire to be post-pandemic.

The beginnings of what could be a hugely successful circular system, it’s an exciting advancement towards inspiring much-needed change, the mark of an attempt to find an entirely new model, one that places donation of leftover fabric at the core of a brand’s practice.

‘One of the BFC’s priorities is to encourage the industry to move towards a circular fashion economy while supporting excellence in fashion design,’ said BFC CEO Caroline Rush. ‘We are delighted to work with Burberry, helping ensure students across the country have access to the best quality fabrics. Creative talent is at the heart of the industry and we are proud of our world leading colleges — being able to provide these students with such opportunities is a privilege.’

Overseeing the logistics of any donations through the Institute of Positive Fashion, the BFC will ensure that all fabric is non-IP, meaning there is nothing to identify it as Burberry cloth and students will be able to make their own, unique garments from the materials they have chosen themselves.

Fashion Design School Uk - School Style

Although ReBurberry is a pilot test in the process, the goal is to then introduce the initiative on a global scale and hopefully urge brands of all sizes to get involved as well. ‘Providing resources for [students] in a sustainable way will enable them to bring their creativity to life and continue through their programs with the tools they need,’ said Burberry’s VP of Corporate Responsibility, Pam Batty. ‘We look forward to seeing how donations can positively impact these academic institutions and students, and hope this is the beginning of a wider industry initiative to support these communities, now and in the future.’

Burberry’s progressive effort to bring circularity between the fashion industry and education will most likely see others clamouring to follow suit in the coming years. In helping students who can barely pay rent, let alone afford cloth, the brand is demonstrating that it cares about young people struggling to pursue their passions amid such isolated times.

ReBurberry isn’t just set to embed the use of leftover fabrics in fashion education, it’s shaping the future of an industry that cannot shy away from the push to rearrange its outdated structure a second longer.

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