Bethany Williams believes that social and environmental issues go hand in hand and through exploring the connection between these issues we may find innovative design solutions to sustainability. The goal is not to just comment on a community, but work in their social spaces to try to create a change through furthering economic gain for charity.

By using social capital, intellectual and labour intensive skills Bethany Williams and her colleagues aim to create a profit, which will be given to connected charities, continuing the cycle of exchange. In America, we call this strategy 'paying it forward'. These strategies and principles provide an alternative system for fashion production, based on a premise that fashions’ reflection upon the world can create positive change.

Williams brought these core principles to her appearance at Day 1 of London Fashion Week Men's. introducing a global public to the considerable moral and environmentally responsible activism embedded in her small collection. According to her press release:

For her Spring/Summer 2018 collection, “Attenzione” electrical tape and wine bottle packaging were woven into practical and durable new textiles at San Patrignano and used to create outerwear, and the inspiring stories of the women she met were woven into a printed textile collage. Jersey pieces from the collection were also produced collaboratively with the women at Making for Change. The collection also funnels money back into the enterprises – 10% of the profit from each garment sold is donated to San Patrignano, and a further 10% is donated to LCF’s Making for Change to purchase new machinery. As well as integrating socially conscious design into her collection Bethany is equally committed to sustainability and sourcing. The knitwear from ‘Women of Change’ has been created through taking recycled wool and denim from Kent and then hand knitting them through cottage industry on the Isle of Man where she grew up. Raw materials are sourced from Chris Carney Collections, a recycling and sorting facility where it goes on to be washed, cut and unraveled before the hand knitting process. Other denim elements within the collection are sourced alongside this and unpicked before being reconstituted into new garments. – from Bethany Williams

Making for Change is a fashion training and manufacturing unit within HMP Downview women’s prison. Established by the Ministry of Justice and London College of Fashion in 2014, the project aims to increase well-being and reduce reoffending rates amongst participants by equipping them with professional skills and qualifications within a supportive environment.

San Patrignano is a community near Rimini, Italy that welcomes those suffering from drug addiction and marginalization. The organization maintains a free rehabilitation program that is above all, a one based on love.

Models in her presentation were cast by an agency that works with young Londoners who are homeless. In her new film, Williams invites viewers to meet the women of San Patrignano and Making for Change prison unit in Surrey, in a 'second chance' lens. Not only does the concept of a second chance apply to the women seeking to change their lives but also the recycling aspect of her sustainable fashion.

In the film, Williams worked with London-based director Akinola Davies Jr. (aka Crack Stevens". i-D Vice expands the narrative around Williams and her fashion vision.

Photos by Amber Grace Dixon; styling by Lee Trigg.