The Warwickshire Cricket Foundation partnered with the Department of Fashion and Jewellery at Birmingham City University (BCU) on an innovative sustainability project which transformed recycled cricket kit into upcycled fashion pieces.
Second year BA students from Fashion Design, Fashion Communication, Fashion Business and Textile Design programmes were challenged to redesign and repurpose old Warwickshire County Cricket Club Player Layer garments, donated cricket clothing and unused cricket equipment collected through the Foundation’s kit recycling scheme.
The project encouraged students to explore circular fashion practices while highlighting the importance of reducing waste within recreational sport.
The collaboration culminated in a showcase event held on Thursday 21 May, where students presented and pitched their final creations to employees from the Warwickshire Cricket Foundation.
The showcase featured a range of creative outcomes including design concepts and business and branding concepts. The designs incorporated recycled cricket whites, training wear, pads, spikes and other unused equipment into contemporary fashion concepts and sustainable textile pieces. Each project highlighted the potential for sportswear and equipment to be repurposed in impactful new ways.
Student work was displayed in the foyer of Parkside Gallery, BCU’s leading art and design exhibition space, showcasing the creativity and innovation behind each concept.
Awards were also presented during the event to recognise outstanding student work, including categories for Best Collaboration, Most Imaginative Concept and Best Overall Concept.
The initiative supports the wider sustainability ambitions of the Foundation and Edgbaston Stadium, as they continue working towards becoming a Net Zero venue by 2030.
Lydia Carrington, Edgbaston Sustainability Manager, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have partnered with BCU on this project. The students’ creativity in repurposing our old Warwickshire kit and equipment has been impressive and inspiring. This project not only gave our garments a meaningful second life, but also highlights the urgent environmental challenges facing both the sports and fashion industries. Raising awareness and finding new ways to improve circularity is something we must all commit to and these projects are a great way to spark those conversations.”
The partnership also provided students with valuable real-world experience in sustainable design and collaboration with industry and community organisations.
“It has been a pleasure collaborating with the Warwickshire Cricket Foundation team on this project,” said Caroline Raybould, senior lecturer in fashion business and promotion. “The students have been challenged to think more deeply about sport and local cricket heritage, while also developing circular design and business concepts—an area that is increasingly vital to the future of fashion and clothing.”
Digital lookbooks from the six groups can be viewed below…