With 60% of young adults keen to ditch fast fashion, here are the top trends to slow down your style habits

Style extraordinaire, Patrick McDowell, partners with Samsung KX to unveil the hottest slow fashion hacks, straight from the GFW Catwalk

LONDON, England – 18 June, 2021 – With six in 10 young adults keen to leave fast fashion behind, Samsung KX, London’s hub of innovation, has partnered with leading designer Patrick McDowell, to share his top slow fashion trends from Graduate Fashion Week 2021 (GFW).

A new study has revealed that millennials’ previous love of low-cost clothing has led to an average of four pieces languishing in every wardrobe over the past year, which results in a staggering total of 59 million unworn garments.

However, following a series of lockdowns in which 40% realised they only wear a handful of their outfits, 60% are now inspired to change their wardrobe habits for the better.

As the exclusive host of GFW, Samsung KX commissioned the research to mark the Slow Catwalk Finale of this annual celebration, which showcased one of a kind, sustainably curated collections by a top range of future designers.

Boasting a bespoke range of looks, the event was held privately in the space on Thursday 17^th June and captured with the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, bringing to life the intricate details of each bespoke piece via the epic Dual-Tele camera lens system and 108MP pro sensor.

With Patrick being a key GFW ambassador and thought leader, he hosted the catwalk alongside leading eco-fashion enthusiasts Samata Pattinson (Red Carpet, Green Dress) and Hannah Carter (Love Not Landfill); forming the ultimate panel to crown the slow style revolution.

Patrick McDowell comments “It was incredible to host GFW’s slow catwalk at Samsung KX. Creative education is the most important tool that we can arm young people with for the future. I am so proud to be celebrating the class of 2021’s creative vision for a more considered and sustainable industry.”

Despite a quarter of young adults now making their own clothes, 30% don’t know where to start with eco-friendly fashion and almost 40% agreed that more education would help tackle this.

Whilst 39% would rather be ‘sustainable’ than ‘fashionable’ if they had to choose – Patrick McDowell has shared his top fashion trends to inspire Brits to do both.

Patrick’s top slow fashion trends from Graduate Fashion Week:

Regenerative Twists

Trend: We look forward to a world where clothes are biodegradable, using fibres from the earth which can go back into it. During this year’s GFW, we’re seeing less harmful materials such as hemp and linen, which have a lower environmental impact compared to cotton.

Tip: Explore buying Monofibre garments, where the whole garment (including the thread and labels) are made from the same fibre. Post use, it makes it much easier to recycle or biodegrade.

Fashion that’s Found

Trend: There is an expectation that sustainable fabrics must be invented to make the cut. Finding and reusing is also a solution. Creative thinking allows designers to reimagine all types of objects and materials into new, showstopping designs.

Tip: Explore the back of your own cupboards for something that can be reused or transformed. As Orsola De Castro says, ‘the most sustainable clothing is already in your wardrobe’.

Storytelling Styling

Trend: As seen with many of the GFW slow garments, fashion is more commonly being used as a form of storytelling, with garments expressing the designer’s own heritage and history. In an industry where cultural appropriation and the use of other cultures for profit has been commonplace, they showcase a future where authentic narratives take centre.

Tip: Don’t be afraid to seek or create garments which express your personal stories. This is what fashion is all about and your stories set you apart from the crowd.

Gen Z Reigns Supreme

Trend: Generation Z is taking centre stage. Connected and concerned about their future, together they stand up for change. Gone are the days of fashion just for looking good, it must also fight back against injustice.

Tip: Support brands that are genuinely making a difference and share the benefits of their success.

Dialling up Concrete Detoxing

Trend: Over the past year, many of us have found ourselves reconnecting with our natural rhythms and world. A wider awareness of concrete detoxing is urging more designers to bring their green fingers onto the catwalk.

Tip: Sustainable habits don’t stop with your wardrobe. Explore growing your own plants at home where only you can decide what goes on them and into your soil.

Eco-friendly fashion is to be worn with pride and when it comes to capturing your greener garments, style lovers should look no further than the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. Designed with a unique contour-cut camera to create a revolution in photography, you can shoot cinematic 8K videos and snap epic stills, all in one go. Perfect for nailing slow fashion shoots and ensuring all content is Gram-ready.

The talent of tomorrow behind the Slow Catwalk’s showstopping designs:

• Cerys Jones, University of Huddersfield
• Beth Cadbury, Northumbria University
• Farhad Ali, Salford University
• Karolina Karpavicicute, The University for the Creative Arts
• Max Telford, Northumbria University
• Menna Angharad Evans, Cardiff School of Art & Design
• Akiiho Ka, Oska Institute of Fashion
• Maria Enrica Affinita, Accademia Costume E Moda
• Sara Carney, Northumbria University
• Sing Ying Lim, Cambridge School of Visual & Performing Arts

Keep your eyes peeled for exclusive highlights and behind-the-scenes slow catwalk content on the Samsung KX Hub.