DMU’s Education for Sustainable Development project has helped with the creation of two events within this year’s Cultural Exchanges Festival. As said by Simon Bradbury, Pro Vice-Chancellor | Dean, Faculty of Arts, Design and Humanities:

“We are delighted to bring you another eclectic week of talks, performances and workshops. As in previous years the festival has attracted an outstanding range of artists and speakers. We have the greatest pleasure in welcoming Katharine Hamnett, iconic fashion designer and pioneering champion of sustainable fashion. Many of you will know of DMU’s commitment to the delivery of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. A first for the festival, it is apt that this event will be delivered via live link, thereby echoing her dedication and ours to reducing our carbon footprint.”

Katharine Hamnett’s event ‘In Conversation’ will be via live link from 6-7pm in Room 0.08, Hugh Aston Building 0.08. This is free to attend. Hamnett is one of the pioneers of modern British fashion. She invented the much copied slogan t-shirt, was the first to use distressed denim, and championed organic cotton long before many were aware of the damage that conventional production causes to the environment. Katharine Hamnett, especially so in the 1980’s, influenced both British popular culture and politics through the strength of her work. She was also the first designer to win the British Fashion Council’s ‘Designer of the Year’ award in 1984. She has been championing sustainability in fashion for 30 years. At this event she talks to Dr Claire Lerpiniere (DMU) about ethical industry practices and her fight for sustainability within the fashion industry. Early booking recommended.

Doing Hope will be from 2.30-5pm in Room 1.16, Clephan Clephan 1.16. This is free to attend. Doing Hope is an experiential workshop that helps people transform despair and apathy caused by social and economic crisis into constructive, collaborative action. Led by experienced group facilitators Jessie Cooke and Ian Coleman, it takes participants through the four stages of Joanna Macy’s Active Hope spiral so we can go forth with renewed energy. This process works for people working for good within society, whether that be ecological or social.

Book tickets here for this year’s festival!

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