An emerging brand’s first appearance at London Fashion Week has been heralded as a landmark moment for the fashion industry.

Neuthread, a brand conceived by Stockton charity Daisy Chain to transform textile waste into desirable high-fashion couture, showcased its latest collection at an invite-only event in Soho.

The collection incorporated an eclectic mix of donated waste fabric from a wide range of industries including high visibility workwear from a local police force, engineering firms and off-cuts of luxury leather from JLR.

Of the 32 billion garments produced for the fashion industry each year, more than half are thrown away.

Neuthread’s Creative Director and Daisy Chain CEO Neeraj Sharma said: “It was an honour and a privilege to have showcased at London Fashion Week in its 40th year and it has been wonderful to have such positive reactions.

 

“Neuthread is the embodiment of environment, community and social purpose with all future profits reinvested back into frontline services supporting autistic and neurodivergent people.

“We have invested significant time into the design process to ensure we bring forward a brand that is credible, fashionable and ethical to its very core.

“I am optimistic about the brand’s future and hope that we can secure the funding we need to grow it further.”

The Northern Echo: Neuthread at London Fashion WeekNeuthread at London Fashion Week (Image: Neuthread)

Neuthread was founded in the North-East by charity Daisy Chain, pioneered thanks to funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest community funder in the UK.

Neuthread Designer and Daisy Chain’s Corporate Manager Cara Baumann said: “It was an incredible experience from a design perspective and from a charity that works extremely hard to ensure that neurodivergent individuals receive the platform and recognition they deserve.

“This is incredibly important for the brand and charity and I am proud that neurodivergent models took centre stage at a scheduled London Fashion Week show.”

The project was backed by global industry specialist, Lucy London, brand ambassador for Neuthread and Course Director at The London College of Contemporary Art.

Lucy said: “For my students at LCCA, the opportunity to work with industry professionals, the brand, and highlighting the sustainability message behind the brand was paramount.

“This was an on-schedule London Fashion Week show and for it to be led by an autism and neurodiversity charity has been such an opportunity to educate through this work. It’s exciting to see what comes next for the brand, charity, and our growing involvement.”

Daisy Chain began life in 2003 as the dream of its founder, Lesley Hanson, whose son Jacob was diagnosed as autistic at an early age. Lesley realised there was a lack of support available in the region for autistic people and dreamed of a place for autistic children and adults; a place where they could receive pers

Initially launched as a community initiative for autistic children and young people, the charity has evolved significantly, and now also provides support for adults. Daisy Chain day centre is based on a 5.5-acre site offering state-of-the-art facilities and therapeutic animal therapy.