The Red-Carpet Dress Made from Upcycled Rowing Kit
When Olympic rowing champion Imogen Grant graced the red carpet at Sports Personality of the Year, her dress wasn't just a glamorous ensemble. It was a bold statement about sustainability, creativity, and the power of upcycling.
The 28-year-old athlete, who was named Green Sports Awards Athlete of the Year, collaborated with the London College of Fashion to transform her old rowing kits into an evening gown. This innovative project allowed Grant to merge her passion for the environment with the elegance of haute couture.
A Champion’s Mission to Reduce Waste
"As athletes, we are provided with so much kit throughout our careers, and sadly, a lot of it goes to waste," said Grant. The constant cycle of new sponsorships brings a steady flow of replacement kits, leaving old items unused. "The way we currently produce and discard athletic gear is not sustainable," she added. "This project is about showcasing another life these items can have, sending a message that reimagining waste is possible."
By choosing to wear a dress made entirely from her old sports gear, Grant hopes to inspire athletes and others to think differently about waste, fashion, and sustainability.
The Journey from Rowing Gear to Red Carpet
Creating the dress was a painstaking process that took two months to complete. Designer Aishvarya Verma, who brought Grant’s vision to life, faced unique challenges in working with high-performance sports fabrics. "We were dealing with materials not designed for evening wear," Verma explained. "The hardest part was taking apart each piece without wasting any fabric." Deconstructing just one item of kit took Verma seven days. But the effort paid off, as the final dress beautifully combined function and fashion.
A Dress Rich with Stories and Memories
The dress wasn't just made from recycled materials; it was infused with Grant's personal history.
- The front section of the gown featured the kit she wore during her gold medal victory in Paris.
- Pieces from her early days as a rookie on the Great Britain rowing team were also included.
- Material from the jacket she wore at the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony added a symbolic touch.
Each piece holds a story. I’ve set world-best times in some of these kits. When I handed over a bag of old gear, I didn’t know how it would come together, but the result is incredible. It’s a dress that represents my journey.
A Bold Statement for Sustainable Fashion
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the dress sends a message about the importance of sustainable practices in the world of sports and fashion. Verma highlighted the creative and emotional depth of the project: "We didn’t just want to make a dress. We wanted to blend Imogen’s memories and milestones into a meaningful design."
As sustainability becomes a growing priority, this collaboration between an athlete and a designer illustrates how upcycling can bring new life to forgotten materials while also inspiring change.