Circular Cultures: Design, Fashion, Crafts

The circular economy is the hottest topic for industries across the world right now, and along with the changes that connective technology and bioengineering are bringing us, we are on the cusp of a series of new industrial revolutions that will affect all our lives. The aim of “Circular Cultures” is to explore circular economy through the holistic lens of ‘circular design’; through creativity and social innovation. New recycled and recyclable materials provide us with novel ways to reduce waste and virgin resource use, but how can these materials improve quality of life for everyone? What do designers and businesses have to do differently to become circular?

The first day we will have the opportunity to explore state-of-the-art practices in all things circular, through a series of keynote speeches, panel discussions and showcases of innovative materials and practices. The second day, hands-on training through workshops will provide valuable know-how to emerging and established designers, businesses in the design and fashion industry, campaigners, communication and marketing professionals, as well as policy makers and advocates. Throughout the two-day event, a series of videos from PCAI’s collection will highlight the fine arts perspective on sustainability.

This collaboration between the British Council and the Onassis Foundation demonstrates the importance both organizations place on the climate crisis and its dramatic repercussions on all our lives. The designed items we use every day reflect not only fashion trends and the crafting skill of their creators – they also encapsulate our values and, as such, constitute significant cultural traces of our age. And so the ways in which we make, use, re-use and circulate these items are in fact fundamental concerns with regard to issues of sustainability and climate change.

The recyclable clothes for the stage set were kindly provided by GreenTEX.