Tender Loving Repair: Mending with Purpose
In 2019, a small but impactful community emerged in Bristol, drawing inspiration from the Japanese tradition of boro. The Bristol Boro Society, also known as The Boro Repair Society, began as part of an Extinction Rebellion demonstration.
Rhyannan staged a "Stitch Up!" in the heart of the high street, surrounded by fast fashion chains, where participants publicly mended their clothes as a form of protest.
This initial act of rebellion quickly evolved into a series of workshops aimed at empowering individuals with repair skills. The early months of 2020 saw the Society hosting sessions where attendees learned the art of mending, adapting the Japanese boro technique to suit Western textiles and pattern cutting.
These workshops not only imparted practical skills but also served as a platform for community building and raising awareness about the environmental costs of disposable fashion, while honoring and reimagining a centuries-old Japanese tradition.
Phorography courtesey of Davide Mastrolonardo.