A VINTAGE clothing shop which specialises in sustainable fashion is launching a work experience scheme aimed at students, offering hands-on skills and a chance to build their industry portfolios.
A1 Authentics, which opened in Festival Place in March, is inviting students to get involved in upcycling and reworking clothes sold in the shop, including transforming recycled Levi's denim into bags and other items.
Founder Ali Buckman, 46, said he regularly sees creatively dressed young people come through the door who turn out to be studying fashion or textiles, and wants to give them a real-world opportunity. Anyone interested in the work experience scheme can message the shop on Instagram or Facebook, or email info@a1authentics.co.uk.
He said: "I want to get students involved in making the clothes we sell. Our ethos is all about sustainable fashion, and so we want fashion students and youngsters who are passionate about clothing, who are studying textiles or fashion, to join us for work experience.
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"I can get a huge pile of recycled off-cuts and let the passionate kids who want to get into the industry work their magic. We are already buying products that are handmade in the UK, but we would love for these to be made locally, by students who don't really know how to get into the fashion industry.
"We can teach them skills like alterations, changing a zip, and repairing something. They can use it as a real-life work experience opportunity."
Mr Buckman said denim is a particular focus because of its versatility. "Most people just bin their clothes when they wear down at the bottom, but we can upcycle them into something new, like a bag," he said.
He added that a supplier can provide free denim off-cuts for students to work with, meaning participants will not need to cover any material costs.
He praised the environmental awareness of younger shoppers, contrasting it with his own college years. "Students are so much more aware of how damaging fast fashion is for the environment, with the industry generating tens of millions of tonnes of textile waste every year," he said.
"When I was in college, all I cared about was 'where is the cheapest beer, where is the cheapest petrol, where are the cheapest clothes.' But this generation is so much more aware of the damage than any other, which is great. They are the right demographic."
He added: "The students in this town are so talented, they walk into the shop wearing clothes they made themselves."
The shop also runs a weekly social media competition in which customers who tag A1 Authentics in a photo wearing its clothing are in with a chance of winning £50 to spend in store.
