A group of second-year Fashion Design and Fashion Journalism students from the University of Sunderland will take part in a spring-inspired style challenge using second-hand and upcycled clothing sourced from local charity shops on Blandford Street
The challenge encourages students to express their individuality while exploring creative styling with pre-loved garments. It aims to promote sustainability, creativity, and community engagement, while raising awareness of the important role charity retail plays in the city.
The challenge features a spring sustainable fashion theme, encouraging visitors to explore the variety of fashion available in local charity shops. It aims to attract a diverse range of shoppers while highlighting the importance of clothing donations, which support charities and help maintain the circular fashion economy.
Through this challenge, students will work directly with charity retailers to style mannequins and curate seasonal looks, demonstrating how second-hand fashion can be stylish, accessible, and environmentally responsible.
Challenge Details
Date: Thursday 19 March 2026
Time: 10:00–14:00
Location: Blandford Street, Sunderland
Participants: Second-year Fashion Design and Fashion Journalism students, University of Sunderland
Event Schedule
10:00 – 10:15 | Welcome and Briefing
Introduction to the challenge, sustainability themes, and judging criteria.
10:30 – 11:30 | Group Styling Challenge
Students are split into three or four groups and assigned to a charity store on Blandford Street.
Each group styles a spring-inspired mannequin using garments available within the shop.
11:45 – 12:45 | Individual Styling Challenge
Students work individually, with a hypothetical £20 budget, to curate a spring-season outfit from items available in the stores.
13:00 – 13:45 | Judging
A panel reviews the styled mannequins and individual outfit selections, considering creativity, seasonal interpretation, and effective use of second-hand garments.