Cork was the centre of style on Friday and Saturday when the fabulous clothing and homeware offerings from the vintage, charity and upcycling outlets were showcased at a ReLove Fashion Show at the Village Hall and a display at St. Peter’s Exhibition Centre to celebrate National Reuse Month.
Designers & retailers from Cork who showed off their style on Friday night included Barnardos, Miss Daisy Blue, Mercury Goes Retrograde, Oxfam, The Village Hall and Isobel Ru. The event was held at The Village Hall, St. Patrick’s Quay and commenced with Music from Jon Hicks & Cornelia Keating and delicious canapés form the Opera House Café. The effervescent Candy Warhol was the compere but the stars of the show were the wonderful models, all volunteers, and the beautifully stylish clothing.
“There are many events happening across the country for National Reuse Month but this is one which showed brilliantly show how stylish and unique you can look by shopping in Cork’s reuse sector,” explained Pauline McDonogh, Prevention Officer with the Southern Region Waste Management Office.
“There is a wide variety of choice from stunning upcycled accessories to retro suits for men and looks for the office or the races from both vintage and charity shops that are bound to open your eyes to a whole new world of shopping the only difference is its not new says Bernie Connolly of Cork Environmental Forum.”
On Saturday St. Peter’s Exhibition Centre hosted a lovely lifestyle event with over 650 people passing through to this lifestyle and homeware event. Exhibitors included Deaf Enterprises, who offer a wonderful upholstery service, Back New and upcyling design initiative, Funky Junk Couture from Carrigaline, the work of students from the Furniture and Restoration course at St. Johns Central Colege, Louise Harrington Patchwork, The Eclectic Attic &.
The event’s aim was to encourage people to also shop the reuse sector when looking to update furniture and home textiles deriving inspiration from the exhibition of upcycled and repurposed furniture and household goods available from these and other social enterprises, colleges and interior shops from Cork. Both events were supported by Cork City Council, the Cork Environmental Forum and the Southern Region Waste Management Office.
National Reuse Month is a new waste prevention initiative to raise awareness about the economic and environmental benefits of reusing everyday items and materials that would otherwise go to waste. By reusing items, we reduce the volume of waste being discarded while also conserving natural resources, energy and water. Reusing items also offers significant economic benefits by creating jobs and boosting the circular economy.
For full details of events happening all over the country during National Reuse Month, check out your Local Authority’s website or www.southernwasteregion.ie
