Oceana received support from London’s young philanthropists and environmentalists at the ‘Fashions for the Future’ event, which took place at London’s Phillips Auction House.
The notable event benefited Oceana’s Save the Oceans; Feed the World campaign, focused on restoring ocean biodiversity and improving global food security.
Organized by Oceana’s Junior Council, the event was co-hosted by Junior Ocean Council Chair Stephanie Bilet, as well as Pixie Geldof and Radio One presenter Nick Grimshaw.
“This event is a unique way to use fashion to support a cause that I truly believe in,” said Bilet.
“Oceana’s international approach to protecting our oceans is urgently needed, and fashion is a fun way to draw attention to this important work.”
Throughout the night, guests learned more about Oceana’s campaigns and victories: since its inception in 2001, Oceana has protected more than 1.2 million square miles of ocean and helped restore the population health of countless sea turtles, sharks, dolphins and other sea creatures. Oceana is now active in countries that control close to a third of the world’s seafood catch.
CEO Andy Sharpless highlighted the campaign to “save the oceans and feed the world,” noting the fact that improving ocean health not only allows for greater biodiversity, but also means that fisheries can flourish, thereby providing a valuable food source for hungry people worldwide.
“Wild seafood can provide millions of people with a healthy source of protein every day,” Mr Sharpless said.
“But to feed these hungry people, we first have to restore the marine habitats that sustain fish populations. Oceana is leading the way in using smart, science-based strategies so that we can harness the extraordinary power of the ocean to feed us.”
During the runway portion of the event, designers showcased clothing created from re-purposed materials, including fishing nets. Designs were modeled by environmentally conscious models and young marine conservationists. Contributing designers included Christopher Raeburn, ADA + NIK, Rapanui, Auria London and Rose Fulbright.
To learn more about how you can support the oceans in the UK, please visit Oceana’s European site: http://eu.oceana.org/.
