Community engaged
Poplar Works was built on the premise that it would be in the community as much as in its physical home. Partners have worked with over 1,300 community members across over 250 workshops, forming new partnerships along the way. Much has focused on increasing diversity in fashion: Cuts and Roots worked with young men to explore male identity, image and belonging through making; for World Book Day parents engaged in costume making, addressing the fast fashion approach this has taken in recent years. Most workshops run in community settings, taking fashion out of the building, reaching new audiences and opening up opportunities.
London College of Fashion x Spotlight
LCF’s community team have been working with Poplar HARCA’s creative youth space, Spotlight, since 2020. This brings young people together with LCF staff, students and alumni and explores the breadth of opportunities open to them in fashion education, through workshops and masterclasses on natural dyeing, upcycling, jewellery design, prosthetics and more.
Making for Change
LCF’s Making for Change programme creates innovative approaches to manufacturing encompassing technology, circularity and social purpose. It trains community members and women on release from the justice system in fashion and textiles production, supporting them to gain meaningful employment in the industry.