Big Issue Group teams up with Teemill to launch range of clothes designed by top UK fashion designers

Today (Friday, 2^nd June) the Big Issue Group have teamed up with Teemill and four of the UK’s most prominent fashion designers to launch an exclusive range of sustainable t-shirts to help fund its work of dismantling poverty and creating change through enterprise.

Julien Macdonald, Pearl Lowe, Sadie Williams and Preen by Thornton Bregazzi have so far contributed to the #wearitforbigissue fundraising campaign to help vulnerable people, end poverty and help stop homelessness.

Macdonald’s clothes have been worn by celebrities including Kylie Minogue, Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez. Retailing at £20, it’s never been so affordable to wear a piece designed by a top fashion name. 

Julien Macdonald, said: “I wanted to support the Big Issue Group with an exclusive range of products inspired by my love for community and the meaningful connections we all seek to form. Everyone deserves the same opportunities and this bespoke design represents bringing communities together in order to dismantle poverty by creating opportunities and supporting each other.”

Thornton Bregazzi, said: “Inspired by the strength and vulnerability of youth growing up in the city, this design draws on the connection between childhood, your favourite toy and the meaning of comfort.”

The campaign has garnered support from multiple celebrities, including singer Tom Odell, actor Jorgie Porter, artists Hugo Hamlet and Lily Ashley, and Big Issue Group Ambassadors, Christopher Eccleston, Sherrie Silver, Dane Baptiste and Jack Parsons. The famous faces will be donning a selection of the designs and showcasing them on social media today.

Christopher Eccleston, renowned actor and Big Issue Group Ambassador, commented:  “I am proud to be wearing my Julien MacDonald design and to be supporting #wearitforbigissue. The Big Issue helps to lift thousands of people out of poverty by offering entrepreneurial opportunities. Help support this incredible organisation and get your t-shirt at wearitforbigissue.com.”

Tom Odell, famous singer and songwriter, said: “The Big Issue’s commitment to empowering the homeless and disadvantaged has a transformative impact on many peoples lives in the UK. If you are able, please support their “Wear It For Big Issue” campaign which is raising vital funds so they can continue their incredible work.”

Russell Blackman, Managing Director of Commercial, at Big Issue Group, said: “We are really excited by this brilliant campaign, which not only highlights the importance of sustainable fashion but that also supports the Big Issue Group’s work supporting people out of poverty. Thank you so much to all involved – and please do check out the fantastic designs created by our incredibly talented designers.”

Big Issue Group is a social enterprise whose mission is to create innovative solutions through enterprise that unlock social and economic opportunities for people trapped in poverty. Over the past 30 years, the magazine has helped over 107,000 marginalised individuals to earn over £150 million in collective income and improve their social and economic prospects through selling the Big Issue magazine.

The Big Issue magazine launched in 1991 in response to the growing number of rough sleepers on the streets of London, by offering people the opportunity to earn a legitimate income through selling a magazine to the public. Thirty years on, their vendors come from a variety of backgrounds and face the myriad of problems associated with poverty and inequality.

Every product in the range is made from natural materials, using renewable energy, and designed to come back to Teemill when worn out so the material can be remanufactured. Instead of creating waste, Teemill make new products from it. The world’s first circular fashion loop.

See the full exclusive range at wearitforbigissue.com and support the campaign by buying a t-shirt.