Join some of the most recognisable names in fashion, design, art and industry in a series of free talks and panel discussions, curated by the National Festival of Making in partnership with Creative Lancashire.

The Festival’s Talks programme is a rare opportunity for professional creatives, students, enthusiasts and the curious to learn more about the challenges, histories and future potential of making industries in their most diverse forms from those helping to shape them.

All talks and panel discussions are free to attend, but due to limited capacity, booking is advised to guarantee your place – Reserve tickets here.

Part 1: What do we need to embed & develop an effective circular economy for craft?

The first of our roundtable conversations (with an audience), will explore how we create the conditions for makers and craft businesses to flourish whilst also addressing problems relating to the end of life of products and waste including:

• What are principles and infrastructures that will support the circular economy principles in craft practice
• What is the role of education to inform the next generation of makers and creators to consider circular design and increase the understanding of materials within the production process
• What could be the role for design thinking in designing out waste in craft production
• How can we help encourage a shift in consumers to ‘cherish use – not consumption’
• What can be learned from the relationship with material & craft production in global majority communities where circular design disciplines are already embedded.
• What can be learned from related sectors and industries approaches
• Who else needs to be involved

The session will also examine the implications for craft manufacturers, specifically who will pick up the cost of a conversion to circular processes of production and for makers creating products that last a lifetime, and that can only be sold once.

Part 2: What is the potential for circular design within fashion & textiles?

The context for the second part of roundtable conversation is informed by themes, ideas and provocations collected and presented by Ellen MacArthur Foundation in their recent Circular Design for Fashion publication which explores fashion industries huge potential to shift towards a circular economy fuelled by ‘passionate disrupters on the constant search for reinvention’.

We will also look at the role of educators to reset the generation of fashion and textiles designers to embed circular economy principles to:

• Eliminate waste and pollution
• Circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and
• Regenerate nature

Read the full details and book tickets here

Guest Contributors:

For both conversations we bring together individuals drawn from the fashion and textiles industry, educators, and practitioners developing the new models and ideas to encourage a shift to a more circular industry for those who design, produce and consume products including:

• David Chadwick – Carradice & UPSO
• Harrison Wavell – Ellen MacArthur Foundation
• Jonathan Ball – Design Council & Design Min
• Laurie Peake – British Textile Biennial
• Lipi Begum –Business of Fashion Textiles & Technology: UAL
• Justine Aldersey-Williams – Fibreshed (NW)
• Nicky Dewar – Crafts Council
• Pammi Sinha – Academic & Fellow of the Textile Institute
• Rosy Greenlees – Crafts Council
• Simon Attard – Panaz

Full list of contributors to be announced.

Art in Manufacturing Talks

Meet the Art in Manufacturing commissioned artists and hear a short talk, each hosted by National Festival of Making Chair, Jamie Holman and Director of CoLab and Festival of Making Board Member Claire Mander. Artists will share their experiences of collaborating with industry, the theory and inspiration of their work and the knowledge they gained in process, materials and techniques. Each talk will take place in-situ at their exhibition spaces.