Over the last year, charity Helping Herts has held sustainable fashion shows to help improve child welfare across the county.
Helping Herts worked with boutiques, stylists and charities to organise fashion shows in Hertford, Hitchin, Bishop's Stortford, Cheshunt and Harpenden, in collaboration with local businesses including Mint of Hertford, Hitchin's Brick Lane, Lou's Pre-Loved Boutique, Dobson's Home and the Friends Dress Agency.
Sustainable fashion is all about making choices that are better for the environment, and creating clothes that last and can be worn for years to come.
As well as helping to spread the world, the fashion shows raised £16,000 for children's charities in Hertfordshire, with a number of the events match-funded.
Helping Herts has smashed its fundraising target for 2023, having raised £340,000 throughout the year, all of which will go to its partner charities.
The charity is welcoming support from businesses to help them organise fashion shows and corporate fundraisers, and help with sponsorship of their events or branding on their website.
For more information on how to get involved visit www.helpingherts.co.uk or email manager Clare Burgess at clare@helpingherts.com.
Personal stylist Karen Peters-Amphlett, who shared her knowledge of sustainable fashion with Helping Herts, said: "Sustainable fashion is fashion that doesn’t cost the earth, from pre-loved and vintage, up-cycling and repairing to buying from sustainable brands, it’s about making sure your choices don’t impact the planet.
"The fashion industry is the second largest polluter of the planet and that’s second only to the oil industry. As consumers we need to make more considered choices when it comes to fashion.
"Pre-loved or vintage is always the easiest choice when it comes to shopping sustainably There are lots of brands out there that are green washing so shopping on the high street can be a minefield.
"Look out for brands that are a registered B Corp or you can check the credentials of all fashion brands on a website called 'Good On You'."
Helping Herts, which is backed by Stort Valley Rotary Club, was set up to support good causes after the pandemic, when many charities were struggling to survive.
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