Janine GriffithsUpcycled fashion, storytelling and community spirit will come together in a unique runway show at this year’s Gledhow Valley Green Fair.
Textiles & Tales is an eco-fashion event where every outfit tells a story and every model shares a glimpse into their life. Created by sustainable designer Goodness Woodhead, the garments have been made using repurposed materials and are tailored to reflect the personality, experiences and dreams of each individual wearing them.
The show is a collaboration between Esustainable Fashion, The Performance Ensemble, Balbir Singh Dance Company, and Friends of Gledhow Valley Road, who organise the annual Green Fair. The setting will be equally distinctive—a traffic-free stretch of Gledhow Valley Road transformed into a natural runway, surrounded by woodland, music, stalls and family-friendly activities.
Local people of all backgrounds and ages will take part, with a particular focus on highlighting the voices and visions of older participants—many of whom are too often underrepresented in fashion and performance. The show challenges mainstream ideas about ageing and visibility, blending global styles and celebrating individuality in all its forms.
“We never need to be defined by our age,” said one participant. “No matter how old we are or where we’re from, we are all worthy of being seen, of dressing in a way that expresses who we are.”
Another added: “I get to wear the clothes of my dreams. Goodness really gets us and our style she brings things out in me I didn’t know were there. It makes me feel more confident.”
The event will take place on Sunday 13 July at 2pm, near the junction of Gledhow Park Road and Gledhow Valley Road (by the red post box, LS7 4JT). It promises to be a celebration of sustainability, creativity and second chances both in fabric and in life.
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