What we’re about
This group is for anyone interested in design, particularly fashion and textiles. In this group, you'll have the opportunity to learn new sewing skills, hear from the best about sustainable design practices and the fashion industry, and meet incredible, like-minded people, all on your doorstep! Want a behind the scenes look? Check out the video that Meetup.com filmed and featured about our group earlier this year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuvpTikcyEQ.
If you're an independent sustainable design brand and want to get serious about building your brand responsibly, I'd recommend registering your interest in joining The Sustainable Fashion Collective here. The members' club is packed with informative masterclasses, interviews with brands and experts at the forefront of the industry - we'd be delighted to welcome you.
I'm Charlie Bradley Ross - why did I start this group?
I'm fed up with fashion.
In 2009, I left the Royal College of Art with a Masters in Menswear Design. During my time studying, my eyes were opened to the slave labour and farmer suicides caused by unfair wages and worker rights, and I was horrified. The thought of my designs negatively affecting – even killing – workers shocked me - I didn’t want to be part of it.
Digging deeper, I discovered the environmental disasters associated with fabric production, and that irresponsibility on the part of some manufacturers is destroying entire ecosystems and areas of land. When we buy fabric on the high street - we have no idea who has made it. Is that metre you just bought contributing to the slavery of someone else?? I couldn’t sit back. I had to do something about it.
I now search the world for ethical fabrics that I can sell from just one metre through my company, Offset Warehouse.
At the core of all of my work at Offset Warehouse is my passion for helping the people who weave our fabrics, and to prevent any further environmental atrocities associated with textile manufacture. It's my goal to source the most beautiful, hand-crafted and fairly-sourced fabrics, trims and threads from across the globe, and sell from one to hundreds of metres at affordable but fair prices. Most importantly, you can feel good knowing exactly where your fabric has come from, and who has made it...
But it's not enough! I want to teach as many people about working ethically. From home sewers to big name brands - if you're using fabric, you should be doing much more. There are so many small changes we can make, which impact the lives of millions of textile and garment workers.
I am so excited about the possibilities of this new group and have some amaaaazing things lined up for you, which I can not wait to share. Join and learn new skills and get to know the best brands that are winning when it comes to sustainability, employee rights, fair trade and great style…
