Harehills ❤️ Love

Welcome to Day 20 of the 2025 Harehills Good News Advent Calendar.

Yesterday we saw how we can fix our clothes; today we see how we can flaunt them! We are casting our minds back to a sunny Sunday in July, when Gledhow Valley Road—usually a busy commuter cut-through—fell silent to traffic, only to be filled with music, colour, and a powerful message.

Today we celebrate “Textiles & Tales,” the eco-fashion show that turned a leafy corner of LS7 and LS8 into a runway for the ages.

A Meeting of Minds Hosted by the Friends of Gledhow Valley Woods during their annual Green Fair, this show was a powerhouse collaboration involving The Performance Ensemble, Balbir Singh Dance Company, and Esustainable Fashion.

The Ageless Runway The show had a bold mission: to challenge the idea that people over 60 are meant to be invisible. Instead, local models of all ages and backgrounds strutted down the tarmac in upcycled outfits, each one tailor-made by Goodness Woodhead to express their unique dreams.

As the organisers put it, the day was about proving that “We never need to be defined by our age.”

Dressed in Dreams The clothes were crafted from repurposed materials—old curtains, denim, and scraps—but the real magic was in the confidence they inspired. One participant shared a quote that sums up the spirit of the day:

“I get to wear the clothes of my dreams—Goodness really gets us and our style, she brings things out in me I didn’t know were there—it makes me feel more confident.”

Why It’s Good News “Textiles & Tales” reminded us that sustainability isn’t just about being “green”—it’s about connection. By blending global styles, celebrating marginalised voices, and honouring the wisdom of our older neighbours, this project wove a stronger community fabric right before our eyes.

Get Involved:

• Follow: Keep an eye out on Harehills Action Team on Facebook for the next events Goodness and Esustainable Fashion might be attending in Harehills, https://www.facebook.com/Harehillsactionteam
• Visit: Gledhow Valley Woods for a winter walk.
• Check out East Side Story Coverage: https://eastsidestory.co.uk/eco-catwalk-challenges-stereotypes-in-harehills/