A key feature of my work as a designer is that I aim to be as ethical as possible: I incorporate sustainable and fairtrade textiles, use fairtrade manufacturers, organic fabrics and eco-friendly dyes. Although I find this aspect of my work challenging, it is something I passionately uphold.

My final MA collection embodies the rebirth of a destroyed civilisation. It plays on the moral that to continue living the way we do will ultimately lead to our undoing. It combines threateningly oversized silhouettes juxtaposed with soft cascading drapes, sloping shoulders and roll collars. Inspired by the tribal manner of adorning materials to the body, the collection is a hybrid of techno-textiles, neoprene and rubber in futuristic metallics, offset with traditional tribal/ethnic prints in earth tones. All the fabrics and materials used in the collection are recycled, reclaimed, by-products or otherwise eco-friendly.

My desire to be 100% ethical led me to collaborate with the textile designer Reiko Sudo, designing a range of garments using 100% recycled polyester, and with Umbro, proposing a range of sustainable sportswear. This summer I had the pleasure of meeting Cristina Cisilino, the founder of the fairtrade and sustainable jewellery label MADE, who offered me sponsorship for my MA final show. Last September, I travelled to Maputo, the capital of Mozambique. There, I gathered wonderful research and fabrics that contributed to my final collection. I also took the opportunity to help a local seamstress, Yolanda, to expand her business through general business problem-solving and helping to develop her skills in sewing and pattern cutting.

I don’t preach, I design with a conscience. I have no delusions about the industry and I am not promoting naive idealism. But I am trying – unashamedly – to make a difference.

Charlie Ross
07737 589588
charlie.ross@network.rca.ac.uk
www.charlie-ross.net