Students turn old football kits into fashion

At Blackburn Rovers' home ground, Ewood Park, a unique project has taken place where local fashion students transformed old football kits into stylish new clothing. These kits, which were once worn by players but were destined for landfill, have been given a fresh lease of life through creative upcycling. The students designed a collection that includes items such as skorts, which look like skirts but have shorts underneath, bell-sleeved jumpers, and even bags made from repurposed football shorts. This initiative not only helps reduce waste but also promotes sustainable fashion within the football community.

The project involved second-year fashion and film students from Blackburn College working together. The fashion students took apart 25 old garments and reassembled them into new pieces. For example, waistbands from shorts were turned into crop tops, and tracksuits were redesigned into eye-catching jackets. Meanwhile, the film students documented the process and filmed a fashion show on the pitch, where five models showcased the collection. This collaboration highlights the importance of creativity and teamwork in tackling environmental issues.

Course leader Daniella Slinger explained that the fashion industry produces a huge amount of waste every year, much of which ends up in landfill. By repurposing these football kits, the students helped reduce this waste and created something entirely new and fashionable. Blackburn Rovers will auction the collection online, with proceeds going to support a football team for homeless people, refugees, and asylum seekers. Yasir Sufi, the club's head of commercial and partnerships, praised the project as a fantastic way to save kits from landfill while raising money for a worthy cause. This initiative is a win for the environment, the community, and the students involved.