EARTHWISE: BETHANY WILLIAMS

The trailblazing designer shares her favourite earth-conscious brands, ideas and routines.

Words: Chekii Harling

EARTHWISE:

BETHANY WILLIAMS

The trailblazing designer shares her favourite earth-conscious brands, ideas and routines.

Words: Chekii Harling

Welcome to Earthwise, where we chat to earth-conscious designers, activists, and creatives about their work and everyday lives. First up? Pioneering designer Bethany Williams (who recently joined our talent programme, Bright New Things, which supports emerging creative talents who put sustainable innovation at the heart of everything they do). Her eponymous label is not only young and vibrant, but it also supports social projects and uses recycled and organic materials. To celebrate the launch of her latest collection, we chatted to Bethany about everything from her proudest moments to her favourite earth-friendly restaurant.

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The Isle of Man seafront / 'All Our Children' flag commission, Somerset House

When did protecting people and the planet become important to you?

Merging these two topics has always been a theme within my work. I did my Geography project on a landfill site in the Isle of Man and interned at Friends of the Earth while in school.

What’s your favourite natural hotspot?

Home, on the Isle of Man. It’s very rural and all the beaches are amazing. I feel very connected to nature there; the whole island is officially one of the UK’s natural beauty spots.

Who’s your environmental hero?

Mr Cooli, my Geography teacher, who initially got me interested in exploring the connection between human and physical geography.

Isle of Man / Bethany Williams

Isle of Man seafront / 'All Our Children' flag commission, Somerset House

If you became Prime Minister tomorrow, what would you change?

There would be more support for vulnerable people, particularly around mental health. I would overturn the government’s ‘No Recourse to Public Funds’ policy and change the fact that childcare for working women isn’t tax-deductible – this is preventing female entrepreneurs from having the same opportunities as men.

Wise words to pass onto the next generation of designers?

Try to think outside the box and find your niche, come up with outcomes that are unexpected and collaborate with people who have different viewpoints. Remember: you don’t have to be bracketed into one area – I did fine art and moved into fashion.

I’m really lucky to be able to work with the Magpie Project. The work they are doing for mothers and children in temporary, unsuitable accommodation is so important.

How can we live a more sustainable lifestyle?

Don’t put too much pressure on yourself; it’s about making smaller steps – start by changing one aspect of your routine.

Favourite Project Earth brands?

I’ve been trying to find a pair of sunglasses that aren’t bad for the environment and it’s proving to be really difficult. Through Selfridges, however, I’ve come across Le Specs which uses recycled plastic.

'All Our Children' collection, SS21

How can we live a more sustainable lifestyle?

Don’t put too much pressure on yourself; it’s about making smaller steps – start by changing one aspect of your routine.

Favourite Project Earth brands?

I’ve been trying to find a pair of sunglasses that aren’t bad for the environment and it’s proving really difficult. Through Selfridges, I’ve come across Le Specs which uses recycled plastic.

Coats crafted from vintage blankets, available exclusively at Selfridges

How would you describe your ongoing collaboration with the charity Magpie Project?

We worked with the charity on the ‘No Recourse for Public Funds’ and the ‘All our Children’ collections as well as a flag commission for Somerset House. We’ll start with an idea, but the outcome always ends up really unexpected because we’re all working collaboratively.

How can fashion be used as a force for change?

By providing tangible solutions. At Bethany Williams, we’re trying to create change throughout our supply chain through social manufacturing projects.

I’d love to work with a Savile Row tailor to pursue craft from a menswear perspective.

Each season, you collaborate with an illustrator – whose work are you admiring at the moment?

Right now, we’re working with Melissa Kitty Jarram – she’s a talented mega babe.

Who else would you love to collaborate with?

We’re collaborating with adidas at the minute. I’d love to work with a Savile Row tailor to pursue craft from a menswear perspective; couture artisans at a fashion house would also be really cool.

What are your proudest achievements?

Co-founding the Emergency Designer Network, which I helped set up in 2020 to create scrubs and surgical gowns for hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic – it started with 10 designers; now we have 200 makers. Winning the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design was also a really special moment.

'Clothing Poverty' by Andrew Brooks, 2019

Each season, you collaborate with an illustrator – whose work are you admiring at the moment?

Right now, we’re working with Melissa Kitty Jarram – she’s a talented mega babe.

Who else would you love to collaborate with?

We’re collaborating with adidas at the minute. I’d love to work with a Saville Row tailor to pursue craft from a menswear perspective, couture artisans at a fashion house would also be really cool.

What are your proudest achievements?

Co-founding the Emergency Designer Network, which I helped set up in 2020 to create scrubs and surgical gowns for hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic – it started with 10 designers, and we now have 200 makers. Winning the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design was also a really special moment.

'All Our Children' collection, SS21

Favourite place to have an earth-conscious meal?

A restaurant called The Little Fish on the Isle of Man – it’s amazing and everything is locally sourced.

How do you relax?

Yoga, reading and walking.

Best book you’ve read recently?

Clothing Poverty by Andrew Brooks – it’s a great read to get your head around where our fashion waste really ends up. When we hand something to a charity shop, only 10% of it will actually stay there.