Alterist at Fashion District Festival 2025

 

 

Photography by Emmi Hyppaa

 

 

In June, we returned to the Fashion District Festival 2025 in Spitalfields — this year running alongside SXSW London. From 3–8 June, the festival brought together designers, innovators, and changemakers shaping the future of fashion through talks, workshops, and activations.

Alterist joined the festival with a curated selection of brands and garments from our community.

 

 

Our presence included a curated pop-up shop, Piercing Studio, three hands-on workshops, and a roundtable hosted by Spin Ventures, showcasing how waste can be reworked into culture and wearable art.

 

As always, the Fashion District Festival was not only an incredible opportunity for networking with fellow creatives and sustainability-driven innovators, but also a chance to continue sharing our mission: reducing textile waste and proving that fashion can be both creative and responsible.

 

Scroll down to see some highlights and snapshots from the week’s activities.

 

Alterist founders, Hannah Standen and Martina Sorghi.

 

The Pop-Up

 

 

The Alterist pop-up was a celebration of upcycling, with thirteen designers from our community showcasing their creativity and craftsmanship. Visitors discovered Chanel paper bags reimagined into stylish handbags by RWRK, striking boots pieced together from leather scraps by Hernán Guardamagna, and old ties transformed by KABO into punk-inspired accessories adorned with studs and patches. Adding a touch of refinement, luxury upcycling brand Kseniaschneider presented beautifully finished denim jackets with furry collars, all made from repurposed denim.

 

 

 

The space reflected a wide spectrum of aesthetics and styles, playful, rebellious, and refined, but all bound by the same thread: a commitment to quality, care, and circular design. Alongside these highlights, several other talented designers such as SansPeng, Stuart Trevor, [ 'Nju ] : The Sophist, Minski, Geo Knits Slow, Olli Hull, and Material Response, joined the line-up, making the pop-up a dynamic showcase of what the Alterist community has to offer.

 

 

 

 

 

Piercing Studio Activation

 

Musician Shoko Yoshida DJ set.

 

Along with the pop-up up we also had the chance of running a one-afternoon event, Alterist’s Piercing Studio, where the concept of piercing was turned on its head…this time, it was clothes, not people, that got pierced.

 

Led by designers KABO and Minski, participants brought their garments to be customised with studs, rivets, pins, and other metal embellishments, transforming everyday pieces into iconic personal pieces.

 

 

 

Designer Katy from KABO, customising garments during Piercing Studio.

 

 

 

Designer Nina from Minski, customising garments during Piercing Studio.

 

 

The atmosphere was buzzing, enhanced by selected vinyl tracks spun by musicians Shoko Yoshida and Cameron Cullen. Adding an extra touch, our friend Cutie Gems joined once again to offer sparkling tooth gems, adding shine to smiles.

 

 

Dj and Musician Cameron Cullen.

Toothgems Cutie in action during the Piercieng Studio activation event.

  

Wearable Art with Olli Hull 

 

The first of Alterist’s workshop sessions was led by Olli Hull, an artist and designer from the Alterist community known for his collections of hand-painted and illustrated garments. In this session, Olli invited participants to transform their own second-hand clothing into one-of-a-kind pieces of wearable art, using drawing and painting techniques as tools for self-expression.

 

 

Designer Olli Hull

 

The workshop opened with Olli sharing his philosophy of upcycling and creativity, how art doesn’t need to be confined to galleries but can live on clothing, becoming a personal emblem of identity and self-expression. 

 

Participants were then guided through a range of customising techniques, including painting, stencilling, dyeing, and fabric distressing. With Olli’s encouragement, everyone was free to experiment, play, and discover how their garments could evolve into bold, expressive statements. Throughout the session, Olli moved between tables, offering feedback, sharing tips, and helping participants bring their visions to life. 

 

 

 

 

The session ended with a small group presentation, where participants shared their finished or in-progress pieces and reflected on the process.

 

 

 

Knitted T-Shirt Bags with Geo Knits Slow 

Our long time brand Geo Knits Slow joined us from Berlin to guide people in a workshop to make little knitted bags. The session invited participants to learn how to knit a mini bag out of second-hand T-shirts, a playful, beginner-friendly introduction to upcycling.

 

 

Designer Geo, helping a workshop participant.

 

 

The workshop began with a short introduction where Geo explained how unworn garments, or even old bedsheet can be given a new life by transforming them into yarn. 

 

Participants then got to work cutting and preparing their own T-shirt yarn, before moving on to the knitting process using a simple pattern designed specifically for the session. The atmosphere was welcoming and collaborative, with everyone, regardless of previous experience, encouraged to dive in and experiment.

 

 

 

By the end of the session, attendees walked away not only with the start of their own handmade bag, but also with a new perspective on how materials we often overlook can be reshaped into something practical, personal, and stylish. 

 

Geo’s workshop was a beautiful reminder of how upcycling can be both accessible and empowering, making sustainability feel tangible and fun. 

 

 

 

Embellish Your Basics with Material Response 

The final workshop of the festival was led by Ben, founder and designer of Material Response, a designer collective from the Alterist community known for their focus on streetwear and details. In this session, participants were invited to transform a simple, staple piece of clothing into a unique, embellished creation.

 

 

Ben, from Material Response, and workhops participants.

 

 

The workshop featured three interactive stations, each inspired by a central design concept, where attendees explored techniques such as hand sewing, embroidery, embellishment, and hardware application. With guidance from Ben, participants developed their ideas and applied them directly to their garments, discovering how small, thoughtful details can elevate an everyday piece into something truly special.

 

By the end of the session, everyone left with a garment that was one-of-a-kind, designed and made by themselves, reflecting both their personal style and the playful, experimental spirit of the workshop.