Move over London and Milan, 29th September marks the start of Sustainable Fashion Week with events up and down the country. Running from 29th September to 5th October with a national programme of events designed to empower communities to take action against fast fashion. Across the UK, people will be coming together to celebrate clothes that are pre-loved, reworked, repaired, and sustainably made.
In Leicester, the week will be marked by a Sustainable Fashion Week event at Wesley Hall Community Centre, taking place Wednesday 1st October – 9:30am – 2:30pm.
This event will include:
A Repair Café organised by FTA Leicester
Bring your damaged clothing and learn how to give it a new lease of life. Skilled technicians and fashion students will be on hand to help you repair hems, zips, tears, and other common clothing issues. Whether you’re a sewing novice or just need an extra pair of hands — this is your chance to keep your clothes in circulation.
A Swap Shop
Refresh your wardrobe without spending a penny! Bring up to five good-quality items of clothing and exchange them for something new-to-you. It’s the perfect way to declutter and discover hidden gems, while keeping textiles out of landfill.
A Preloved Sale
Browse a curated selection of affordable, second-hand fashion — with styles to suit all ages and tastes. Every purchase helps reduce demand for new clothing and supports a more circular fashion economy.
The Leicester event is part of a wider Midlands effort to engage local communities with fashion sustainability. From Birmingham to Derby, community groups are running upcycling workshops, talks, and clothing swaps — all aimed at making sustainable fashion more accessible, inclusive, and actionable.
“We want to show that sustainable fashion isn’t just a trend — it’s a community movement,” says Jo Bean, Studio Manager at FTA Leicester.
“By learning how to repair or swap instead of buying new, we’re empowering people to make real, long-lasting change.”
Whether you want to repair a favourite pair of jeans, swap something you no longer wear, or simply connect with like-minded locals, this is a brilliant opportunity to join Leicester’s growing sustainable fashion community.
Wednesday 1st October – 9:30am – 2:30pm at Wesley Hall Community Centre, 76 Hartington Road, Leicester LE2 0GN.
Learn more about Sustainable Fashion Week with events across the UK here: www.sustainablefashionweek.uk