Fibreshed: From Farm to Closet

You’ve probably heard of the Slow Food movement, sparked in 1986 when Italian farmer Carlo Petrini organised a protest against the establishment of a McDonald's near the Spanish Steps in Rome. This movement brought attention to how our food is farmed, who is farming it, how it is processed, and who has access to it.

Inspired by the Slow Food movement, artisan and activist Rebecca Burgess founded the Fibreshed movement. She has since inspired a worldwide coalition of farmers, ranchers, artisans, and small- to mid-scale textile manufacturers to look beyond fashion. 

Together, they raise awareness of the links between our clothing and agriculture, the health and diversity of our landscapes and economies, environmental and labor catastrophes, and our own health and well-being.

The Fibreshed movement has contributed to the burgeoning interest in fibre arts and working with authentic raw materials. 

We reflect this socially and environmentally conscious ethos at the Rare Trades Centre through our values-driven programming, which celebrates like-minded artisans. 

Meet the fibre artists bringing our mission to life with their workshops at the Rare Trades Centre