This October, the worlds of football and fashion come together in an extraordinary way as Oxford United players Naomi Bedeau & Lucy Trinder model in the Sustainable Fashion Show at Blenheim Palace.
They will showcase innovative designs made with upcycled replica kits from Oxford United, designed and created by local, sustainable fashion designer Imogen Barrow-Starkey. The collaboration shines a light on both creativity and responsibility, turning old kits into statement garments that celebrate style, sport, and sustainability.
The Sustainable Fashion Show, Ripples of Change, is hosted by Cherwell Collective, an Oxfordshire-based non-profit organisation dedicated to creating a circular economy. The runway show will take place within the historic setting of Blenheim Palace at 8:30pm on Wednesday 1 October 2025.
As the crowning event for the Oxford Hub’s Sustainable Fashion Week, the Sustainable Fashion Show underscores Cherwell Collective’s leadership in promoting ethical and circular fashion. It is part of a growing series of events that directly follow London Fashion Week and highlight sustainable practices in clothing, accessories, and consumer habits.
The Orangery is set within the grounds of the historic Blenheim Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and thus the perfect space to showcase the range of collections designed by over 10 local sustainable designers. It will also feature submissions from designers in local organisations like Oxfam, Activate Learning, and The Ballroom Emporium. The runway showcases textiles that are reimagined, including retired uniforms from Blenheim Palace as well as Oxford United Football Club. Guests will also have exclusive views of stunning innovations using non-textiles, including biodegradable materials, plastic waste, and more.
The Sustainable Fashion Show forms part of Cherwell Collective’s Carbon Cost of Fashion campaign, developed by the Collective’s Waste Innovation Station HQ (WISH) project. WISH aims to raise awareness around the climate consequences of clothing production and consumption.
Cherwell Collective Founder Dr. Emily Connally described the vision for this year’s show: “Last year’s fashion show raised awareness of the Carbon Cost of Fashion and was one of the cultural highlights in Oxfordshire for 2024. This year, we hope to inspire ‘Ripples of Change’ in our community.
“Each choice, each act of reuse, each piece of upcycled design is a drop that contributes to a wave. Together, we become the ocean, an unstoppable force of collective change.”
For this year’s show, BBC Radio Oxford’s Sophie Law returns as Master of Ceremonies. Sophie’s captivating running commentary guarantees guests will be well-entertained throughout the evening’s innovative programme.
A VIP reception will include a professional photoshoot with Blenheim’s beauty as the backdrop. VIPs are also awarded pre-access to Cherwell Collective’s fashion auction, showcasing some of the most innovative pieces donated by designers to run as a post-show event.
Oxford United’s participation goes far beyond the runway. The Club have been actively championing sustainability, from reducing waste across operations to supporting initiatives that address the environmental footprint of sport. This collaboration reimagines the afterlife of shirts no longer fit for play, marking an innovative step in circularity. It also reinforces Oxford United’s commitment to building a more sustainable future for football and the wider community.
Ticket info:
VIP Hospitality Tickets are available now on Eventbrite. These tickets include the best seats on the runway and access to a pre-show drinks reception with live music, networking & nibbles alongside selected professionals and local celebrities.
Standard tickets, also available on Eventbrite, include access to the Sustainable Fashion Show runway.
