Designing the way to sustainable costume
Sargent-Disc’s partner, BAFTA albert, hosted a fascinating sustainable costume seminar on Friday 6th July with panellists from the film and fashion industry. Bafta award winner, Jacqueline Durran (Beauty and the Beast, Atonement) and Emmy winning Clare Spragge (Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast) were joined by The Costume Directory’s Sinead O’Sullivan and Fashion Revolution’s Orsolo de Castro.
(Aaron Matthews, Clare Spragge, Orsolo de Castro, Sinead O’Sullivan, Jacqueline Durran)
Photo Credit: BAFTA Amarpaul Kalirai
They discussed the progress that the fashion industry has achieved in becoming more sustainable – as well as the social and environmental impact of the work of a production’s costume department. They explored the potential to source, manufacture and consume fashion and costumes for production in a different way.
Orsolo shared sobering statistics on the global impact of the fashion industry, whilst Sinead revealed that the textile industry is responsible for the highest carbon emissions after the gas and oil industries.
Clare is confident that the film and television industry can inspire change, both on and off the screen. Jacqueline Durran agrees and shared her inspiring experience of creating a 100% sustainable costume for Belle on Beauty and the Beast (2017). The five-layer period piece, worn during the musical number ‘Something There‘, was made from re-cycled traditionally-woven linen and wool fabrics from the 1960s and 1970s, along with certified Fair Trade silk and low impact dyes. The costume was a collaborative project between Jacqueline, Disney, Eco-Age, and actress Emma Watson. Its ethical processes and materials are being showcased on Emma’s Instagram account, attracting more than 500,000 followers. It is a wonderful example of a production’s ability to champion sustainable practices from concept through to completion.
(Jacqueline Durran [far right of panel] discusses Belle’s costume, worn by Emma Watson in Beauty and the Beast)
Photo Credit: BAFTA Amarpaul Kalirai
The audience was introduced to some of the cleanest and greenest fabrics being manufactured today, as well as a selection of responsibly produced materials promoted by The Sustainable Angle. The event finished with a networking event during which Sargent-Disc explained how the digital applications, Scenechronize SmartHub and Sync on Set, can lower the carbon footprint of the costume department by reducing the use of paper, physical transportation and storage.
The event was the first of albert’s new quarterly events programme, which Sargent-Disc is proud to sponsor as an Official Partner.
