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This year’s Global Good Awards dinner was as brilliant as ever, and Karen continued her theme of ‘outfits with a message’ with these stunning pieces crafted by Re-Action.
Thursday 12th October was a big day for us here at the Global Good Awards; not only did we host the inaugural Purpose Summit (which was a roaring success, but more on that soon!), the evening saw the 2023 awards winners come together for dinner and to receive their awards. GGA founder, Karen Sutton, has pulled some amazing outfits out of the bag for this event in recent years, all of which have strived to deliver a message about important environmental causes – and this year was absolutely no exception.
She introduced us to two jackets – similar, but different – with each serving as a canvas for conveying critical environmental narratives.
The first jacket featured the infamous ‘#ShowYourStripes‘ pattern. The climate stripes were created by Professor Ed Hawkins at the University of Reading in 2018, and vividly show how global average temperatures have risen over nearly two centuries – the ultimate visual representation of the urgent need to address climate change.
Equally striking was Karen’s second jacket, showcasing the ‘biodiversity stripes‘ devised in 2022 by Professor Miles Richardson at the University of Derby. A visual timeline of biodiversity change since 1970, this jacket reflects a poignant reminder of the staggering decline our ecosystems have faced.
In both cases, the designs are remarkably simple, yet wildly effective….and sobering.
We couldn’t have done it without the Re-Action Collective!
Enter Re-Action, the global collective founded by Gavin Fernie-Jones, with a mission to keep outdoor gear in use. Re-Action works together with 35 members from around the globe, sharing ideas, resources, and materials. Their focus is on introducing a ‘circular economy’ when it comes to outdoor sports, while also building a strong sense of community. And the impact is spreading fast, with funding secured for growth and appearances in prominent media outlets and films.
The jackets themselves are a testament to Re-Action’s commitment to sustainability. Made from organic cotton, printed with eco-friendly inks, and lined with dresses from a charity shop, they embody the organisation’s dedication to minimising environmental impact while creating wearable works of art.
Gavin’s mum, Gill, is the seamstress with magical hands behind the physical creation, and a long time supporter of the ‘reduce, recycle, rewear’ ethos.
What next for these jackets with a story?
We’re thinking these little beauties may need Instagram accounts of their own soon! Karen recently took them on a trip to Anthropy in Cornwall, and was overwhelmed by the number of “I recognise that jacket!” comments she received. If you’re lucky, she may even lend you one to help you demonstrate your message…➡️
We can’t thank Gavin and Gill enough for bringing Karen’s vision to life and, of course, the brains behind the stripes, Prof Ed and Prof Miles – it’s a sombre message, but an important one.
