From Wardrobe to Workshop: Creating with What We Already Have

Led by RiSC+ Team: Eva Toal and Dr Kunning Ding from Queen's University Belfast and Professor Alison Gault from Ulster University.

Join this 2-hour workshop for a fun hands-on opportunity to creatively explore sustainable fashion using materials from the daily un-used material, from your own wardrobe. You’re welcome to bring your own fabric to upcycle. If not, no worries—we’ll have plenty of materials on hand.

This session is all about creativity, confidence, and sustainability — no fashion or design experience required! You’ll not only learn simple, practical upcycling techniques, but also discover how everyday choices connect to a more sustainable fashion future.

Along the way, you’ll:

• Transform old textiles into something fresh, stylish, and full of meaning
• Boost your confidence by bringing your own ideas to life
• Get insider tips from current university students who’ll guide you through the process and share their journeys into fashion studies
• Ask anything about uni life, creative careers, and pathways — in a relaxed, friendly space
• Find your people and join a community of like-minded makers who care about style and the planet

This event is aimed at young people aged 14–19 who are interested in creative subjects, especially those considering future study in fashion, design, or sustainability-related fields. This may include secondary school students, A level students, or young people involved in local youth or community art programmes.

It also aims to provide a meaningful platform to engage younger audiences with the social and environmental challenges within the fashion industry—particularly through the lens of sustainability and circular design.

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Host or Publisher ESRC Festival of Social Science in NI 2025