In this session, Caryn Franklin MBE and Tina Wetshi discuss the roles and relationships that fashion symbolises by forming new connections across the fashion supply chain – as well as understanding how our relationship with fashion mirrors how we encourage sustainable development.
Colèchi’s co-founder Tina Wetshi entered into a thought-provoking conversation with Caryn Franklin MBE to reframe the value of making as therapeutic over capitalistic. Forging connections and community was discussed as an alternative use for craft and YKWU, Colèchi’s knit club, was cited for its success in uniting intergenerational knitters across London.
In this interview, Tina shares Colèchi’s mission to “humanise fashion” by creating new models in the fashion supply chain that prioritise people and the planet. Tina explained Colechi’s origins, stemming from the founders initial interest in fashion design that evolved into a deeper exploration of sustainability and community-building. Recognising the disconnect in the industry, where many are doing great work but operating in silos, Colechi was formed to act as an “open-source” platform to connect these changemakers and foster collaboration. Central to Colechi’s approach is the belief that fashion education and awareness need to be more universal and accessible. Tina highlighted the stark contrast between the public’s understanding of the impact of food on health versus the lack of similar awareness around the impact of fashion.
Colechi’s initiatives, including their research-driven print journal – the first issue is titled AGREENCULTURE, the Clean Fashion Summit, and fashion’s knitting club YKWU, aim to bridge this gap and empower people to become active participants in the fashion ecosystem. Through these programs, Colechi is working to shift mindsets, slow down the pace of consumption, and reconnect people with the craft and origins of clothing. Tina shared inspiring stories of participants, from a lawyer finding solace in the meditative act of knitting to a fashion PR professional deepening her understanding of the supply chain. Looking ahead, Colechi is exploring new collaborative models with brands, including organising farm visits to connect buyers and teams with fibre producers. We are also developing a program to create a fully traceable, sustainable garment made in the UK, demonstrating viable alternatives to the current fast-fashion paradigm. As Tina eloquently stated, Colechi’s vision is to put “community first and then product second,”
