An evening with Katharine Hamnett
28 Feb 2007
Interview with leading British fashion designer on 14 March
Manchester Conference Centre, Cockcroft Theatre
Wednesday 14 March 2007
6.15pm - 8pm
The School of Materials is proud to present a special evening with one of Britain's finest fashion designers, Katharine Hamnett. Interviewed by Derek McKelvey, Visiting Professor in Textiles, Katharine will discuss her views on ethical cotton production and manufacturing leading to long-term sustainability within developing economies.
Places for the event are limited and early registration is recommended.
To register for a ticket for this event, please contact:
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Katharine Hamnett
Katharine Hamnett is a British fashion designer famously known for her political and social slogan t-shirts and her ethical and enviornmental business philosophy. She graduated from the Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in 1969, and founded the Katharine Hamnett label in 1975.
In the early 80s Katharine launched protest t-shirts: 'CHOOSE LIFE', 'PRESERVE THE RAINFORESTS', 'SAVE THE WORLD', 'SAVE THE WHALES', 'EDUCATION NOT MISSILES' - designed to be copied, with the objective of effecting change by being seminal, using the excess media coverage that the label was receiving.
In 1984, Hamnett won the Designer of the Year award at the first ever British Fashion Awards and in 1996, was voted Britain's favourite designer by readers of Cosmopolitan. The Katharine Hamnett London shops were designed by Norman Foster and Nigel Coates.
In 1989, Katharine initiated reserach into the impact of clothing and the textile industry on the environment. Her conclusion was that conventional cotton agriculture was having a devastating effect on the environment and the people, and the situation was unsustainable. Katharine has since campaigned tirelessly to try and change the industry from within and educate the consumer.
This year Katharine launched the state of the art ethical and environmental Mens and Womens collection, Katharine E Hamnett, made in 100% organic cotton.