Project Shut Tup: buy a bag, save a British clothing factory

Project Shut Tup is a simple initiative: buy a Shut Tup bag, show the world your support for the small British fashion factory and help keep it running.

Anisa Topan, aka The Trashionista – a Central St Martin’s graduate and fashion PR – started the project after meeting the owner of a struggling factory in Walthamstow, east London. Michael Edward’s family-run clothing factory is now quiet after decades spent shaping the fashion industry and working with couture and commercial designers. Now, many of his clients have taken their business overseas and he retains just a tenth of the employees he did when the factory was at its peak. Years of dwindling orders mean the Michael Edward Ltd factory is now at risk of closure. The Trashionista decided that with her background in PR, she could bring focus to the plight of clothing manufacturers like Edward’s.

To fight for British-made clothes and bags, Project Shut Up was set up to raise awareness and to stop British fashion factories from shutting down, starting with this one. To begin with, the Trashonista has designed the Shut Tup bag – a simple shopper emblazoned with the humourous text – and commissioned the factory to produce it.

All profits from sales of the bag go back to Michael Edward’s factory, enabling him to keep afloat and pay his staff while looking for more orders. Provided the bag sells well, the range can be expanded with more designs and other exciting and creative products, thus securing further work for the factory.

The idea is that if you’re passionate about British-made fashion, you should buy into the brand and help get factories working again, one at a time. Priced £25, the bag is made of heavy canvas and can more than carry your necessities – and you get to support a good cause!

Show your support for British fashion and get yourself a new bag here.

Khaleda Rahman

Images from www.trashon.co.uk