About the Event
This London Fashion Week evening event brings together 6–10 London-based businesses (with priority given to Southwark-based enterprises) who reuse waste as a core part of their production process, whether through upcycling, recycling, surplus materials, or discarded ingredients.
Rather than a traditional showcase or runway, the evening is designed as an immersive, interactive experience where guests can step into the making process, see materials transformed in real time, speak directly to the makers, and try simple 5-minute skills themselves.
The event is part-funded by Southwark Council and will be attended by industry figures, press, cultural leaders, and fashion insiders.
Who We’re Looking For
We are inviting businesses who:
- Work with waste, surplus, or discarded materials as a core input
- Create physical products (fashion, accessories, jewellery, materials, textiles, beauty, food-adjacent, design objects, etc.)
- Can demonstrate a clear part of their making process live
- Are happy to engage directly with guests and explain why and how they work this way
- Are London-based (Southwark-based businesses will be prioritised)
What Exhibitors Will Do
Each exhibitor will be provided with a dedicated space to:
- Run live demonstrations of their process
- Invite guests to try a simple 5-minute hands-on activity
- Display a small selection of finished products
- Speak directly with press, buyers, and industry attendees
Support will be provided in advance to help exhibitors shape their demonstration into a clear, engaging format.
What Exhibitors Receive
- Curated presence during London Fashion Week
- Exposure to high-profile attendees and press
- Professional photography and video content (where possible)
- Inclusion in event communications and promotion
- Opportunity to position your brand as process-led, credible, and circular
Selection Process
Spaces are limited. Exhibitors will be selected based on:
- Strength and clarity of their waste-reuse process
- Ability to demonstrate and explain their making
- Fit with the event’s values and format
How to Apply
To apply, please email Elena at hello@handmadestoriesworld.com or fill in the form below with the following details:
- Business name and location (please indicate your postcode and if you are based in Southwark)
- Short description of your business (max. 150 words)
- What waste material(s) you work with
- What you would demonstrate on the night, including the 5-minute skill
- Practical requirements (table size, power, tools, health & safety considerations)
- Links to your website and/or Instagram
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for a brief follow-up conversation. Spaces are limited and selection will be based on process clarity, engagement, and alignment with the event’s values.
Deadline
Applications will close on the 30th of January.
Fees
This event is part-funded by Southwark Council. Exhibitor contributions help cover production, staffing, documentation, catering, and other event costs. Final fees will be discussed and confirmed upon selection. A limited number of reduced-fee places may be available for Southwark-based businesses where cost would otherwise be a barrier.
Event Date & Location
Thursday 19th February, Borough Yards, London Bridge. A characterful, centrally located destination beneath Victorian railway arches, known for independent makers, cultural events, and contemporary fashion and design. (Full address and access details will be shared with selected exhibitors.)
Sponsorship & Collaborations
We welcome enquiries from aligned brands and organisations interested in supporting the event through:
- Financial contributions towards event production
- Food and drink provision on the night
- Contributions to curated goodie bags
- Other in-kind support that meaningfully enhances the guest experience
All sponsorships and collaborations are carefully curated to ensure alignment with the event’s focus on thoughtful production, waste reduction, and transparency. This is an opportunity to support a values-led London Fashion Week event through meaningful contribution rather than traditional logo-led sponsorship.
For sponsorship or collaboration enquiries, please contact: hello@handmadestoriesworld.com
Organisers & Curator
The event is organised by Handmade Stories, a London-based social enterprise and fashion brand committed to slow fashion, heritage preservation, and creating meaningful opportunities for underserved communities.
The evening is curated by Elena Brook-Hart Rodriguez, who brings expertise in sustainable fashion, creative curation, and immersive experiential events, ensuring that every element of the showcase highlights process, skill, and hands-on making, rather than just sustainability as a concept.