Denim ReFramed: FARAxLCF Redefines the Future of Fashion
The FARAxLCF collaboration has always been about pushing creative limits while challenging fast fashion, and this year’s edition, Denim ReFramed, was no exception. Now in its third year, the partnership between FARA Charity Shops and London College of Fashion (LCF) continues to redefine what fashion can be when we look past imperfections to remake, reuse and reframe waste textiles.
As with previous years, a group of design students were challenged to take denim (one of fashion’s most iconic yet waste-heavy fabrics) and reimagine it – but this year with an added twist: to incorporate a piece of unsellable artwork from FARA Fine Art into their designs.
From Waste to Wearable Art
With complete creative freedom, 17 students set to work deconstructing, reworking and breathing new life into unsellable materials. The denim, once worn and discarded, was transformed into new, wearable creations, while the abandoned artwork found new purpose – either physically stitched into garments, or by serving as an inspirational starting point.
A Celebration of Creativity
The project culminated in two memorable events, both hosted by longtime FARA supporter, filmmaker and fashion broadcaster Scott Wimsett.
On February 6th, an invite-only fashion show at UAL’s East Bank campus provided a platform for 11 finalists to present their work to a handpicked panel of judges. Stuart Trevor (Founder of All Saints), Deborah Bee (Founder of Bee & Sons), Melanie Rickey (Style Director of Good Housekeeping and founder of The Enoughness), and Kelly Harrington (Denim Expert and Trend Forecaster) brought their expertise to the table, evaluating the designs on sustainability, creativity, and execution.
The evening also featured a thought-provoking panel discussion, where our judges explored the future of fashion and the vital role of upcycling in an industry dominated by overproduction and waste.
Out of 11 finalists, our panel had the unenviable task of selecting 3 whose designs stood out the most. The standard of entries for 2025 was exceptionally high and the following students were awarded for their exceptional work:
- Eva Stammers – Highly Commended (left of below photo)
- Ammaar Thakkur & Josh Arnn – Highly Commended (centre)
- John Galope – Commended (right)
A week later, on February 13th, FARA’s flagship store in Angel transformed into a showcase for the students’ work, with the eye-catching designs displayed in the shop window – bringing high fashion to the high street. Fashion sustainability content creators Lydia Bolton, Rosie Okotcha and Tuccii wore a selection of the finished pieces, while invited guests had the opportunity to shop and celebrate the project. You can see the creations brought to life on our Instagram here.
The night concluded with a heartfelt presentation recognising the hard work of every student involved. Hosted by Scott Wimsett, FARA CEO Libby Gordon, and LCF Programme Director David Hopwood, the event was a true testament to the talent and dedication put into this project by all involved.
Rethinking Fashion’s Future
FARAxLCF may have started out as a student project but in just three years has grown into something much bigger. We are extremely proud of the relationship we have built with London College of Fashion, and it is a privilege to play a small role in shaping the next generation of designers. The conversations generated around this project urge us all to rethink the potential of charity shop finds, to challenge our perception of waste, and highlight the devastating effects of overconsumption. Fashion’s next generation isn’t just designing for aesthetics – they’re designing with purpose, intent and a responsibility toward the planet.
As we close this chapter of FARAxLCF, Denim ReFramed leaves behind a powerful legacy: a reminder that fashion’s future isn’t about creating more – it’s about reimagining, reusing and reframing what we already have.
