Thursday 18 September, 11-5 p.m.: Symposium: Crafting Regenerative Fashion and Textile Futures with Safia Minney

Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion St, London WC1R 4RL

As part of London Textile Month 2025, this landmark one-day gathering brings together over 15 pioneering voices in regenerative fashion, craft, and ethical textiles for a day of fireside chats, panels, brand pop-ups, and short films.

Chaired by social entrepreneur Safia Minney (founder of Fashion Declares, People Tree, and Real Sustainability) and co-curated with Polly Leonard, founder of Selvedge Magazine, the event features leading designers, makers, and thinkers shaping a just and sustainable future for fashion. Safia Minney, MBE, FRSA, is a British social entrepreneur and author, best known for founding People Tree, a pioneer in Fair Trade and sustainable fashion. She developed the first organic and Fair Trade clothing supply chain, significantly impacting the lives of thousands of marginalised people. Minney is recognised as a thought leader in sustainable fashion, anti-modern slavery, and Fair Trade, and is a World Economic Forum Outstanding Social Entrepreneur.

Through participatory table discussions and thought-provoking sessions, the programme explores themes including post-growth economies, upcycling and repair, community wellbeing through craft, and embedding regenerative values into the supply chain

Safia Minney, MBE, FRSA is a British social entrepreneur and author, best known for founding People Tree, a pioneer in Fair Trade and sustainable fashion. She developed the first organic and Fair Trade clothing supply chain, significantly impacting the lives of thousands of marginalised people. Minney is recognised as a thought leader in sustainable fashion, anti-modern slavery, and Fair Trade, and is a World Economic Forum Outstanding Social Entrepreneur. 

Through participatory table discussions and thought-provoking sessions, the programme explores themes including post-growth economies, upcycling and repair, community wellbeing through craft, and embedding regenerative values into the supply chain. Featured speakers include Deborah Barker (SE Fibreshed), Amelia Twine (Sustainable Fashion Week), and Prof Patrick Elf (CUSP), among others.

Schedule:

11:00-12:00 - How do we Craft a Fashion Future?

Safia Minney (Chair/Speaker) - Indilisi, Fashion Declares

Polly Leonard - Selvedge Magazine

Kirstie Macleod - The Red Dress Project

David Bollier - Scholar/activist (video message)

12:10-12:55 - From the Land - Regenerating Local Futures.

Safia Minney (Chair/Speaker) - Indilisi, Fashion Declares

Sophie Holt - Pigment organic dyes

Deborah Barker - SE Fibreshed

Emma Håkansson - Fashion Justice Collective

Jo Salter - Director, Khadi London

13:25 (17 mins) - Lunchtime film screening

13:45-14:35 -The Craft of Circular (From Secondhand, remaking to Repair)

Gemma Metheringham (Chair/Speaker) - Elephant in My Closet, Fashion Declares

Amelia Twine - Sustainable Fashion Week

Ali Clifford - Environmental Consultant

Daniel Mawuli Quist - OR Foundation

14:45-15:35 - Making Crafts & Rights Central to Fashion Supply Chains

Safia Minney (Chair/Speaker) - Indilisi, Fashion Declares

Madhu Vaishnav - Saheli Women (video)

Dr Sass Brown - Ethical fashion educator, writer, researcher, and designer

Jo Dawson - HD Wool

Sophie Lane - Soko Kenya

15:45-16:30 - Post-growth, Textile and Fashion

Safia Minney (Chair/Speaker) - Indilisi, Fashion Declares

Erinch Sahan - Associate Director, Investment, Joseph Rowntree Foundation

Oliver Scutt - Bates Wells

Bel Jacobs - Writer and speaker on climate justice, animal rights and new fashion systems - Co-founder of Fashion Act Now

General Networking till 5 pm.

Additional Speakers to be confirmed

Interwoven: Wool Pop-Up Shop
Khadi London presents a special wool pop-up shop spotlighting artisanal craft and heritage techniques from India and the UK. Hosted within Safia Minney’s Crafting Fashion Futures for Textile Month, the event celebrates regenerative, small-scale wool initiatives rooted in community and climate resilience. Showcasing brands include Khamir (Gujarat), Kullvi Whims (Himachal Pradesh), Miyar Mufflers (Lahaul), and Earthen Tunes (Hyderabad), with more to be announced. This is a rare opportunity to engage directly with founders, experience the quality and stories behind each piece, and purchase work that reimagines wool for a future rooted in care and craft.

Join us for a powerful day of learning, connection, and action — as we craft a regenerative future for fashion.

Your ticket includes a plant-based light lunch. The event is open to both in-person and online attendees. An online ticket gives you access to a live stream of the full day and a recording to watch later in case you can’t attend in person.

Event Cancellation Policy
All bookings are non-refundable. However, if you let us know that you are unable to attend an event you have booked at least two weeks before the event, we will open up your place. If we find another participant, you will be offered a credit note.

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