The mechanical butterflies, designed as fashion accessories, will feature in the Sustainable Fashion Show at Blenheim Palace on September 29.
The so-called ‘bot-terflies’ were created by Tilde.Industries, an Oxfordshire business, in collaboration with the Cherwell Collective.
Their aim is to showcase how innovation can tackle electronic waste and encourage circular design.
Cherwell Collective’s fashion line, their first since launching their new Fashionhouse, was created by a team led by Naomi Bridges and Karen Simson.
Their efforts are part of the countywide climate resilience partnership, Waste Innovation Station Hubs (WISH), supported by The National Lottery Climate Action Fund.
The ‘bot-terflies’ serve as a reminder of the balance needed between nature and technological advances, which can lead to unexpected consequences like resource depletion and waste.
The fashion accessories are made from common, hard-to-recycle household waste, pushing the boundaries of upcycling.
The collaboration between Tilde.Industries and Cherwell Collective was supported by Oxford University Development (OUD).
The fashion show will take place at Blenheim Palace, known for its historic connection to fashion exhibitions.
The show will feature collections from more than 10 designers, all of whom must design their lines sustainably, using upcycled, pre-loved, or innovative materials.
The third annual Sustainable Fashion Show is part of the country’s Sustainable Fashion Week, which began following London Fashion Week.
The event is a national movement aimed at uniting communities to create change through bottom-up action.
Other events during the week include a free clothing swap at TAP Social Oxford on September 26, and the Carbon Cost of Fashion exhibition at the Vale & Downlands Museum.
The show has involved over 360 community members and has been recognised as a cultural event in Oxfordshire.
In 2025, Cherwell Collective was awarded the Cherwell Business Awards’ Sustainable Business of the Year and Oxford Climate Award’s Sustainable Medium Business for their efforts in fashion and reducing the community’s carbon footprint.
They were also recently awarded a 2026 International Green Apple Award for Environmental Best Practice.
The Cherwell Collective’s team is excited to see their creations on the runway, including the ‘bot-terflies,’ which will make their debut flight in front of a distinguished audience, including Anna Strongman, CEO of OUD, and Calum Miller MP, who cut the ribbon at Fashionhouse in June.
Deputy Lieutenant Robert Buckeldee, a long-time supporter of Cherwell Collective’s climate innovation and leadership, will also be in attendance.
As the show approaches, there are only a limited number of tickets left, which can be purchased on TicketTailor.
The Sustainable Fashion Show is set to be a dazzling display of innovation and creativity, highlighting the potential of upcycling and circular design in the fashion world.
#Blenheim #Palace #fashion #show #debut #ewaste #botterflies