A University of Winchester student who was a self-confessed ‘fast fashion addict’ has earned a prestigious placement with the United Nations to help promote sustainability in the textiles and clothing industry.
Third Year Fashion Business Student, Laura Hunt, went through a highly competitive selection process to earn an internship in the Sustainable Production and Consumption Unit within the UN Environment Programme.
She will start the six-month placement in May, soon after completing her course at Winchester.
“I think I grew up being quite environmentally-minded in my younger years, even starting an eco club when I was in primary school, but it was a common story of falling victim to fast fashion in my teens – not realising its link to the environment”, said Laura.
However, Laura radically reduced her consumption of cheap clothes after learning about the damage being done to the planet during a university module on Fashion and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
She now has an Instagram alter ego – ‘The Sustainable Barbie’ - where she educates her audience and champions thrifty fashion, putting together stylish outfits with purchases from charity stores and online platforms, like Vinted, which sell good quality second-hand items.
“I think as a generation that has grown up alongside throwaway culture, we need to be putting more value on our clothes; through looking after them and keeping them for longer,” said Laura.
Laura’s role will focus on supporting UNEP’s work on sustainable textiles and fashion under its Textiles Initiative.
Although her duties will be dependent on projects at the time, one initiative she may be helping with is around combatting fashion waste in Africa. Thousands of tonnes of donated clothing, much of it collected through kerbside collection, is shipped to Africa. However, a significant portion is discarded upon arrival as it is damaged, poor quality, unsuitable, or just not needed.
“If you have clothes you no longer want, it’s better to sell them, give them to friends, or keep them longer by repairing or upcycling them,” she said.
Laura, who is from the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, already has experience in sustainable fashion having spent a year in industry, working with Burberry as part of its Corporate Responsibility team.
This, added to her online efforts with ‘The Sustainable Barbie’, helped impress the UN’s selection panel.
The UN team is based in Paris and while most of Laura’s work will be done remotely, she will get to spend some time in the French capital.
Laura’s role will include conducting research, strategic analysis, developing presentations for international events, updating the UNEP textile/fashion communication website and working on the monthly newsletter for UNEP’s textile community.
Dr Jason Garcia-Portilla, Lecturer in Business Management and one of Laura’s dissertation advisors, praised Laura’s dedication to sustainability: “Laura’s journey from fast fashion enthusiast to sustainability advocate has been truly inspiring. Her work demonstrates how education can spark meaningful change, and her creativity and determination have set her apart, promoting sustainable practices within the fashion industry. This UN placement is a well-deserved opportunity for her to make an even greater impact.”
Pictured top: Tonnes of donated clothes end up in landfill
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