STUDENTS at a city college have saved £25,000 of wedding dresses destined for landfill.

The Glasgow Kelvin team transformed the cast-off clothes into stunning gowns, which took centre stage at the college's annual fashion show.

Proceeds from the event and raffle tickets went towards the Marie Trust, a charity which works hard to alleviate homelessness in Glasgow. So far, the students have raised £3505.

The dresses were donated to the college by Rebecca Kennedy, a former student who now works at Bijoux Bridal.

Students worked tirelessly, unpicking dresses and repurposing them to their own designs – each measured to fit their own bodies.

Fashion students at Glasgow Kelvin College learn about slow fashion, a facet of sustainable fashion which advocates for a more considered approach to clothing production that values people, animals and the environment.

Fashion lecturer Sandra Thomson said: “It’s a big issue, for which the fashion industry has a bad reputation.

“We’re teaching the next generation of fashion designers so sustainability really should be a part of every course. We want to get students thinking ‘what can I do with garments I already have?’”

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She added: “Slow fashion hasn’t always been a mission for us, but it’s become one. It’s an important discussion to have that students are open and honest with, and once they realise slow fashion can be cheaper and more accessible, it’s a win-win for them.

“The time is right to start teaching this in college courses: that’s how we’re going to change the industry.”

HND Fashion Design and Production student Reanne McGuire said: “I’m surprised more colleges aren’t going down this avenue – resources are expensive, and it’s changed how I look at the material I’m using. I’m already looking at clothes I’ve got and thinking of what I can do with them.”

The Glasgow Kelvin College Fashion Collective has been operating for more than 30 years. Alumni of the courses include multi award-winning contemporary fashion designer Siobhan Mackenzie, and Nicole Christie, owner of Ellipsis and Scottish Fashion Designer of the Year 2023.