Duchess of Cambridge hosts Commonwealth Fashion Exchange reception

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Feb 20, 2018

Fashion editors, designers, manufacturers, textile producers and craftspeople came together at reception held at Buckingham Palace on Monday.

Hosted by The Duchess of Cambridge and The Countess of Wessex, the reception celebrated and showcased the work of the new Commonwealth Fashion Exchange, a new initiative led by Eco-Age to bring together fashion talent from the 53 countries that make up the Commonwealth.

Selected designers and artisans representing all 53 countries worked together to create a series of bespoke ‘looks’ ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London this April.

Big brands including Stella McCartney and Burberry (UK), Karen Walker (New Zealand) and Bibi Russell (Bangladesh), were paired with artisan producers in small nations with a view to creating a 'skills exchange'.

The fashion creations were showcased at Buckingham Palace on Monday evening before moving to other venues in London to be showcased to the public.

A global audience will also have access to view the designs through an online exhibition to be created on the Google Arts and Culture website. This platform will aim to create a new community connecting artisans and designers from across the Commonwealth countries with an evolving directory and a series of educational resources.

The project is supported by the Commonwealth Fashion Council and the British Fashion Council.