A local fashion designer has transformed the window display in Bedford’s Salvation Army store to highlight the importance of ‘slow fashion’ as part of the Great Big Green Week 2026 (6 – 14 June).
Emma Talbot is the designer and founder of Clemency Jude, a brand that repurposes clothes and textiles to create new products.
As part of the Great Big Green Week, Emma is using the Salvation Army windows to showcase how unwanted textiles can be reimagined into a complete slow fashion collection.
Throughout the week, Emma has been demonstrating her creative process, turning a selection of donated curtains and fabrics into unique, handmade garments and accessories.
The installation highlights the potential of textile reuse and encourages people to think differently about fashion consumption and waste.
A self-taught seamstress and designer, Emma creates patterns from existing garments rather than using traditional pattern-cutting techniques. Many of her designs evolve organically during the making process.
“Sometimes I’ll start with a rough idea and simply cut and create freestyle, allowing the design to develop as I work. That’s one of the joys of working with reclaimed materials – every piece is completely unique,” she said.
The collaboration with the charity shop – in one of the most iconic buildings on Bedford High Street – came about when Emma was in the Salvation Army shop to look for fabric and got chatting to the manager about her work.
“When he offered me the window space for Great Big Green Week, it felt like the perfect opportunity to demonstrate my design process and show what can be achieved with materials that might otherwise be discarded,” explained Emma.
“My inspiration always begins with the fabric itself – the texture, colour or pattern.
“Often it evokes a memory, a feeling or a genre that I want to explore. From there, I work intuitively with the materials, combining contrasting fabrics to create something entirely new.
“I love the way different textures and prints can complement each other through their differences.”
Sustainable fashion
Great Big Green Week is the UK’s largest annual celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature.
Across nine days, communities come together to host events, activities and projects that showcase practical ways to live more sustainably and create positive environmental change.
There are lots of activities taking place in Bedford this weekend, and you can browse them all in our what’s on guide here.
Carl Wright, Manager of The Salvation Army Bedford, said: “We’re delighted to collaborate with local designer Emma Talbot for Great Big Green Week.
“Supporting community initiatives is an important part of what we do, and this project is a fantastic example of how creativity and sustainability can work hand in hand.
“We hope it inspires visitors to think about the value of reusing and repurposing materials, while highlighting the importance of making sustainable choices.”
Visitors are invited to view the display throughout Great Big Green Week and discover how everyday household textiles can be transformed into contemporary fashion pieces, giving unwanted fabrics a new lease of life.
You can also follow Emma’s progress on Instagram and get involved in winning an item from the window via @clemencyjude
You can find Emma at Lavender Moss design shop and studio in Bedford’s Edwardian Arcade.
Read: Sustainable and ‘slow fashion’ store opens in Bedford’s Edwardian Arcade
This is a collaborative space which promotes slow craft and conscious design. The shop and design studio launched two years ago alongside other makers Lorna Henderson Designs, Ruth Miller of RU Hand Crafted Jewllery, Amor Creation, Eglantines World, Katy Jarman and Jwllery By Jade.
