FHNC Fashion Festival looks at the power of community collaberation
The winter season is a busy one and the cultural agenda is brimming with events. Before November ends, one more exciting and cross-cultural event will enrich Nicosia’s calendar. On November 30, the Fashion Heritage Network Cyprus organises the Sustainable Roots, Sustainable Future: FHNC Fashion Festival in collaboration with UNFICYP, the British High Commission and Fashion Revolution Cyprus. Taking place at Ledra Palace in the Buffer Zone, this one-day festival celebrates sustainable fashion, cultural heritage and the power of community collaboration.
The event aims to unite fashion enthusiasts, cultural advocates and community leaders from across Cyprus, providing a platform to delve into the role of fashion in cultural preservation and sustainability. With an engaging agenda that includes hands-on workshops, insightful panel discussions and a showcase of designer work, the festival demonstrates how fashion can serve as a powerful bridge, fostering unity and mutual understanding among diverse communities.
One of the festival’s highlights will be Workshops on Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Fashion, led by FHNC team members. These interactive sessions will immerse participants in upcycling techniques, sustainable dyeing methods and traditional weaving techniques, offering a hands-on experience with sustainable fashion practices. These workshops aim to inspire attendees to adopt eco-friendly approaches in their own work and personal lives.
The Panel Discussion will bring esteemed experts together to explore the relationship between cultural heritage and sustainable practices in fashion. The Heritage Panel will ensure a robust dialogue on the importance of safeguarding heritage within the fashion industry.
The Fashion Presentation will feature Professor Ioannis Michaloudis, who will present the globally acclaimed Coperni Air Swipe Bag, highlighting the intersection of art, innovation and design. The Coperni bag is made of 99 per cent air and one per cent glass, using NASA’s silica aerogel – a material known for being the lightest solid on Earth. Weighing just 33g, the translucent, cloud-like bag showcases the innovative use of space technology in fashion, emphasising its delicate yet sturdy construction. This innovative bag was first presented during Coperni’s Paris Fashion Week show and will be exhibited for the first time in Nicosia, Cyprus.
Finally, a Pop-Up Designer Showcase will offer attendees an intimate view of the latest sustainable creations from FHNC designers. This dedicated space allows designers to present their innovative work, inspired by Cypriot architecture, illustrating how sustainability can be seamlessly integrated into fashion. All these designs were previously showcased during the runway show at the Cyprus Fashion Film Festival in Limassol in June 2024.
Sustainable Roots, Sustainable Future: FHNC Fashion Festival
One day of panel discussions, workshops and presentations on sustainable fashion practices. November 30. Ledra Palace, Nicosia. 10.30am-7pm. Free. In English. https://fashionheritagecy.com/
